Five volunteer opportunities this holiday season

Kate Ferrell, Assistant Web Editor

Secret Santa 

Do any of your teachers participate in Secret Santa? Organized by the Lagrange Rotary Club, Help children in need this holiday season by donating money with a group of friends, or class and adopt a child. Secret Santa helps children 0-17 years of age all around the area. The Rotary club will accept gifts of toys, clothes and books for all ages. With 15 drop off locations secret sanat is a great way to spread Christmas Cheer to children and families in need. 

 

Holiday Write Night  

Join LT students and Staff in creating a magical night for Kindergarteners. Write Night is a super easy way to volunteer this holiday season. With this years theme Frozen, you could help kindergarteners  face painting, coloring, cupcake decorating, Frozen Sing-A-Long, stories about Christmas around the World. Entertainment and refreshments served by LT students. You will also help[ children write letters to Santa that they will send to the north pole. Located at Lyons Township South Campus Discovery Center stop byu between 4 and 6;30 p.m. If you decide to participate in the amazon event don’t forget to bring one can of food to donate to a local food pantry. 

 

Marillac House Christmas Store 

Helping Chicago families in need for over 60 years.  the Saturday before Christmas, registered families in need get to “shop” for toys, stocking stuffers, books, games, clothes, and stuffed animals for each of their children from the donated gifts. Then the families can have their gifts wrapped, and at the end of the day, leave with a full bag of food filled with the perfect ingredients to make an amazing Christmas day meal for their family. To help make children and parents wishes come true come out to volunteer at 2859 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 60612.Volunteers jobs include Toy Sorting (all ages), Shopkeepers (age 13+), Registration (age 18+), Waiting room attendant (age 13+), Gift wrappers (age 13+), Food distribution (all ages). For more information on volunteering visit the Marillac St. Vincent Family Services website. 

 

Christmas Cheer Foundation 

The Christmas Cheer Foundation provides food and a sense of community spirit to those in need in the metropolitan Chicagoland area. On Christmas Day, about  20,000 meals will be delivered to families in need in Chicago. Volunteer jobs include the assembling of the meals, delivery them to families, and the setup and cleanup before and after. The Cheer foundation also has Corn Day. Located at the Dominican University Priory 7200 W Division River Forest, IL 60305. Volunteers will Help pre-portion the corn for the Christmas Day meals on Dec 21, 2019 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Corn is a great opportunity for children to get involved with the foundation.

 

Marillac Pantry 

If you do not have time to volunteer at the Christmas Store there is still a way that you can spread Christmas Cheer. The Marillac Food Pantry is a great way to still get involved with the Marilla sst. Vincent Family Services.  The food pantry is regularly looking for volunteer, but especially during the holidays. Located at 2859 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612, and open Monday 11:00am-1:30pm; Wednesday 3:00pm-6:00pm; Friday 10:00am-12:30pm.