Lindenhurst mother Kristi Gedville likes to do activities with her teen daughters. She volunteers to coach their cheerleading team, and on April 20 she attended a volunteer fair to see what other opportunities there are to do things together.
“It’s important to give back to the community,” she said.
At the event hosted by the Lake Villa District Library, 17 organizations shared information on what they do and how they can do it better with the benefit of volunteerism.
Some of the groups are large and well-known agencies, such as A Safe Place, which offers services to those dealing with domestic abuse, and where volunteers are needed for anything from clerical tasks that require no experience to in-person programs that require a 40-hour training program.
Some are looking for help with specific programs, such as Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois, which needs drivers. Others were hoping to recruit members, such as the Lake Villa Township Lions Club.
The local branch of Lions Club International serves the community by supporting other groups with their events, but also focuses on assisting people with vision and hearing impairments. Past President Tony Gundrum said after the COVID-19 pandemic, membership in many social clubs has decreased.
“To continue to do good, we need good people,” he said.
The fair presented ways people from all walks of life can give a little of their time, or a lot, depending on their circumstances. Through volunteer opportunities, those who want to help can do so for one occasion or on a regular basis.
Amanda Brown wanted her young daughters to pick for what they wanted to volunteer.
Flanked by her girls, the Lindenhurst mom looked around the room at all the tables before Annabel, 9, and Adrienne, 7, spotted one with pictures of dogs and pointed to it.
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“I like helping animals,” Annabel said, a comment seconded by Adrienne.
At the Reach Rescue Inc. table, the girls learned they could make a difference in the lives of animals.
“We need volunteers for fostering, adoption events, transport, for doing dishes, laundry and cleaning, ” foster application coordinator Diane Zimmerman said. “We need people for our summer events and for our junior program, because rescue is 24/7.”
The organizations mostly directed attendants to websites to register, or handed out forms. But The United Way of Lake County had one way anyone of almost any age could immediately help.
Bookmarks with drawings and inspirational sayings were made available to color and return to them there, or be mailed. Officials highlighted remote or virtual volunteering opportunities.
For a community-wide school supplies drive, it will hand out backpacks to hundreds of school-age kids and they’ll need 4,000 bookmarks, said Angela Ramirez, community engagement coordinator.
Lindenhurst resident Laura Feldman was there looking for volunteering activities for her and her coworkers, and found some with Habitat for Humanity, which is building eight homes this year, and also the Lake County Forest Preserves.
According to the National Institute of Health, research has found that participation in voluntary services is predictive of better mental and physical health, providing social connections, movement and a sense of purpose.