Volunteering in the Valley

More than just a store! That’s a tag line that fits the Caring Hands Thrift Shop to a tee! Interviewing Kathy Braden, manager, and Beth Ward, assistant manager, was eye opening. Caring Hands is a thrift shop where many people come in and shop. But it is so much more than just that. This is a ministry where customers might come in looking for an item to buy but stop for a chat, a listening ear and often a time of prayer with one of the employees. Prayer and concern for the many people who come through their doors is really their main consideration.

After visiting Caring Hands, I feel it would be a delight to volunteer there. According to Kathy Braden, “our volunteers are golden”. There are many opportunities for volunteering for both men and women. Volunteers come with many areas of expertise and Braden and Ward attempt to utilize those gifts and talents to the benefit of Caring Hands but also so that their volunteers can feel fulfilled in doing things they enjoy. One of the beautiful results of the time volunteers put in is that employees have more opportunities to minister to the Caring Hands visitors.

Whether you are interested in shopping, volunteering or prayer, stop by Caring Hands: 1002 South Bridge Street in Yorkville. They’re open from 10-5, Monday through Friday, 10-3 on Saturday and closed on Sunday. You can e-mail them at caringhandsshop@att.net or check them out on Facebook.

I don’t think I could tell you about the work and mission of Hands of Hope any better than they have to say for themselves.

Hands of Hope of Illinois is a Community Assistance Program striving to assist in God’s business of caring for his children. Our main objective is to share the gospel through the giving of food. In church and places of worship you can read and learn the Gospel. At Hands of Hope of Illinois we live and experience the Gospel every day. Through networking with local business and other food ministries we are able to provide food, clothing, household goods, medical supplies and sometimes building materials to those in need.

This journey has become more than a mission — it is our life.

To contact Hands of Hope or for more information:

Hands of Hope of Illinois

https://handsofhope4u.org/

511 Oak Leaf Court, Joliet, Illinois 60436

Hands of Hope of Illinois

Summer Serve 2021 at Community Christian

Sign up Today!

Summer Serve is a special #BeTheChurch opportunity where you get to explore some of the many ways COMMUNITY is active in meeting needs and seeking to restore God’s dream for the world. Throughout the week of June 21st-27th we are hosting one-time volunteer opportunities where you can contribute while learning more about various Community Cares ministries and partnerships.

If you have a heart to make a difference, Summer Serve is for you! It’s a great way to serve with your small group, give back to causes close to your heart, and even try out something new without a long term commitment. Whatever your motivation, we look forward to having you join us!

While things are headed in the right direction, we understand that the pandemic is still a very real concern, and will be taking appropriate precautions. This year’s project offerings are focused on events that allow everyone to feel safe.

The following is just a sampling of projects you can be part of this year!

Giftmart Toy Sorting & Boxing: Saturday June 26

Marie Wilkinson’s Pantry Garden: Saturday June 26

The Neighbor Project Team: Saturday June 26

The Neighbor Project Team: Saturday June 26

The Neighbor Project Team: Saturday June 26

Feed My Starving Children: Wednesday June 23

Compassion Experience Naperville: Friday June 25

Compassion Experience Naperville: Saturday June 26

Check out this link for more info and registration:

Summer Serve

#BeTheChurch

Project Linus began in 1995 and the organization’s catchy name came from Charles Schulz’s blanket-toting character, Linus, from his Peanuts comic strip. The group is nationwide with over 300 chapters and  11 of those in Illinois. Members are called “Blanketeers” and are a dedicated group that provide handmade blankets (fleece, flannel, quilts, knit and crocheted) in prints suitable for children from 0-18 years of age. Their mission is simply to provide new handmade blankets to children in need.

By going to the Project Linus website, www.projectlinus.org and clicking on “Chapters”, you can contact one closest to you to see how you can participate. You will also find a wealth of information about Project Linus and their work as well as how you can assist them in various ways. 

 

Meals on wheels

In talking recently to Barb Nadeau fromVoluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois  (vacdk.com),she mentioned that the two most needed items for seniors are transportation and nutrition. ( see The Dietary Guidelines for Americans Can Help You Eat Healthy To Be Healthy).

And when we are discussing nutrition, Meals on Wheels fits the bill. The meals are cooked fresh daily and guaranteed to arrive at a temp of 200 degrees or greater. And for those with volunteer hearts, volunteers are always needed!

Drivers to deliver the meals are at a premium as well as people to decorate meal bags, make calls to recruit volunteers and pack meal bags and/or boxes.

Here are some well spoken words from a Plano Meals on Wheels driver, Stephanie Schaming:

“I never even knew Meals on wheels existed until many years ago we were in Pittsburgh, visiting with Steve’s mom who was in her 80’s then and Steve’s sister had set it up for her to get meals delivered. I remember thinking then, whenever I retire this is something I’d like to do. I’ve now been doing it for 9 years. One of the things I think is so good about having this service is that it helps people remain in their homes rather than having to go to assisted living. Assisted living is great but some people aren’t in need of that much care yet and just need proper nutrition provided for them. It also provides them with a friendly face to see and chat with for a few minutes and we can do a quick ‘wellness check’ by talking with them. If we notice some one seems more depressed or is complaining about pain or no longer wants to talk, it gives us a heads up and we report back so a client advocate can check in with that person and/or their family.

My goal when I see each person is to be an encourager, greet them with a smile and leave with a smile. Steve and I both have met people who just want to talk.

Not only have I made friends with those people who heat the meals and do all of the ‘behind the scene’ things, but I’ve made a personal connection with many of the clients, remembering bits of things they’ve shared about family, sports, upcoming events, etc. I hope it lets them know that even though they may be alone, people think about them and are interested in them. Meeting family members has also made me realize just what a small world it is. There have been clients who’ve known some of my extended family. There’s others whose grandkids went to school with my kids and it makes an instant connection.

It gives me a sense of purpose and keeps my priorities in check. I’m greatly blessed and want to share this tiny bit of time to put a smile on someone’s face! There have been many ‘God moments’ that have happened over the years, and for each one I’m grateful. Grateful that God placed each one of them in my life.”

If you want more information about Meals on Wheels or would like to volunteer, you can contact:

In Plano, call Senior Services Association at 630-553-5777.

In DeKalb or LaSalle Counties, contact Voluntary Action Center of Northern Illinois at www.vacdkcom, or (815) 785-3932.  

In Grundy, Kendall and Kane Counties:

Louise Maritato: site manager at Community Nutrition Network and Senior Services at 630-553-2316 cnnssa.org

PADS – Public Action to Deliver Shelter

Serving the Homeless in Kendall County, Illinois

PADS is a place where men, women, and children living in homelessness are provided overnight safe shelter and hot meals. A team of caring volunteers serve our homeless guests each night.  Volunteers will greet each guest, and will register them on their first night and explain how the program operates. Guests may enjoy a hot, home-cooked meal and will have opportunities to visit with the volunteers. Social workers on site will provide information for guests about local social services.

Shelter services are available each night from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Seven churches in Kendall County will serve as shelter sites, one for each night of the week. Review a list of these shelter sites here.

Men, women, and children who need temporary overnight shelter and food may use Kendall County PADS. Children under the age of 18 must come with a parent or legal guardian (documentation of guardianship is required).

The Kendall County PADS program does not allow guests to use alcohol or drugs at the shelter sites. There is no restriction as to where the homeless person recently has been staying prior to coming to PADS . The program has a limit of 20 guests.

Who are the volunteers?

Men and women, age 18 and older, may serve as volunteers. Students 16-17 years old, along with a parent, may also serve as volunteers. Different positions and tasks can be matched to the skills and desires of each volunteer. Most volunteers live in Kendall County, but that is not a requirement. Each volunteer will give about 4.5 hours of his or her time just ONE time each month for six months, during the PADS “season” (October – April).

The shelter program is looking for caring people who can be dedicated to serve as a volunteer just one time each month — 6 times over 6 months of the coldest time of the year. You may choose which night or which location works best for your situation.  

We will be pleased to welcome you as a volunteer and you will learn your role and responsibilities “on the job” under the guidance of an experienced site coordinator. So, please, SIGN  UP today.  Currently, PADS still needs volunteers at five sites for Shifts II and III. 

Volunteers are Always Welcome!

A total of 600 volunteers are needed for PADS to operate each night of the month. We invite adults from community organizations, schools, churches and businesses and interested citizens to serve as Volunteers.

For more information and other ways to support PADS, check out this link: http://kendallcountypads.org/

Another great place in our community doing a really good work is the Kendall County Community Food Pantry located at 208 Beaver Street in Yorkville. They provide food and clothing and school supplies to those in need, even giving out mats from the New Life for Old Bags group.

The most important resource for the work of the Kendall County Community Food Pantry is their volunteers! And there are no special skills or capabilities required – merely an open heart for helping others. To volunteer, simply use this email to get connected: getinvolved@kccfp.org. Some volunteers are in need of service hours for a variety of reasons but many just have a few extra hours a week and want to donate that time to something worthwhile.

You can check it out at https://www.kccfoodpantry.org/get-involved/. Or if you live in another area, just google Food Pantries for the town or county you live in. This is a great opportunity to make a difference!

For those of you over 50, a wonderful spot to learn and volunteer is the Lifelong Learning Institute out of Waubonsee Community College.  LLI is an outcropping of Rhodes Scholar. Rhodes Scholar provides educational trips all over the world. Realizing that many seniors might be interested in shorter trips, day outings and courses, LLI was born.

Classes run anywhere from one to eight weeks, each one only $5 and a yearly $25 membership fee. Summer courses are part of the Summer Sampler and open to anyone, members and non-members alike. 
Beyond being enriched by learning in a wide variety of subjects, all members are encouraged to volunteer in some capacity. That might be serving on one of the various LLI committees, even serving as an officer after some experience in the organization but ultimately being a course facilitator. Courses and their facilitators are really the heart of the organization.

Interested? Check it out ! https://www.waubonsee.edu/community-offerings/lifelong-learning

As Ron Weasley said in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, “When in doubt, go to the library”. And there are so many reasons to visit one of my favorite places, not the least of which is to volunteer. Most libraries have a Friends of the Library group where interested patrons can do a variety of projects to help support and fund their library. At the Plano Library (15 West North Street in Plano), the Friends staff several large book sales a year. Funds raised are always part of the monies given for the Summer Reading programming. Members also are a huge part of the annual Christmas Tea held each December where they might bring in treats or appetizers for the event or man the kitchen and keep those snacks coming out to the waiting attendees.

Every Library has different responsibilities for their Friends groups but always the end result is supporting your local library and in doing that, support books, literacy and the beauty of reading.

New Life for Old Bags is one of my favorite ways to volunteer. Making mats for the homeless out of plastic bags is a three way win: helps the homeless, helps the environment and for those looking for a simple way to volunteer, this is it! Started in Chicago by Ruth Werstler Fishter some years ago, we have been going strong in Plano since June of 2014. Our group meets the second Saturday of each month at the Plano Library (15 West North Street in Plano) from 10:30 to noon. Some flatten bags, some fold or cut or loop or roll balls of plarn (plastic yarn) and some crochet the mats. So any and all areas of expertise are needed. It is also a great project for a group, even Scouts! And if you can’t join us, we need donations of bags which can be dropped off at the Library. Since we began our group, there is also an offshoot at the Fox Valley Older Adults in Sandwich!

Mail to Ceil Carey, Plano NLOB Coordinator