A Message From Our Service Project Chair, Jennifer Sultz:
Hello friends!
An update to share with you re: our volunteer service projects --
We have a couple new activities on the upcoming schedule below!
Helping with Recycling Event:
Sunday, April 12
The Village of Skokie and Park District are inviting us to volunteer for this year's Spring Greening event on Sunday 4/12 from 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. This is a community-wide event where families can drop off all sorts of items to recycle and it requires a lot of volunteer support. Volunteers can select either morning or afternoon shifts or both. This takes place in the parking lot of Niles North High School. The sign-up form is HERE. (I'm signed up for the afternoon shift! *FYI, I was unable to sign up on my laptop but the form worked on my phone.)
NEW!! Home Clean Up with Rebuilding Together
Saturday, April 25, 8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
We have a new project with Rebuilding Together (some of you will remember the yard work and shed dismantling we did with this group). Rebuilding Together is a nonprofit agency that works nationwide to make essential home repairs for community members in need. The local chapter is inviting our club to partner with them on a yard cleanup project at a private residence in Skokie. The specific address will be shared with the team closer to the date.
What's involved: Volunteers do not need to be skilled in construction, just able-bodied and willing to get their hands dirty as we tackle some outdoor landscaping work to clean up a Skokie property. The home is occupied but the resident is housebound and in need of assistance. Waivers will need to be signed by all participants in case of injury and so as to allow photos to be taken of the cleanup team. Volunteers will arrive at 8:00 to get oriented with the group. If you have them, feel free to bring rakes, shovels, gloves, etc. for yard work. We are hoping for approximately 8 volunteers on this project.
Please click HERE to sign up.
Diaper Donation Packaging:
Sunday, April 26 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. we will be preparing diaper donations for families in need at Bundled Blessings, located in the First United Methodist Church, 516 Church St., Evanston. This is a fun and easy volunteer activity that makes a huge impact! So far I have the following people signed up: Jen, Peggy, Lynn, Chrisanne, Melissa, Mark & Josette, Ciara & Luna. Please let me know if you plan to join us that morning by signing up HERE.
NEW!! Hope Walk for the Homeless
Saturday, May 9 @ 10:00 a.m. @ Gillson Beach Park in Wilmette
This event is a fundraiser organized by the Rotary Club of Wilmette with several collaborating clubs including Skokie Valley. All funds raised go to support homelessness efforts. The funds raised by our club will be donated to our local Niles Township Respite Center. The event features an enjoyable 5k walk in Gillson Park along Lake Michigan. Registration for the walk is $40 ($100 per family) and volunteers are also needed for a variety of tasks. More info here about registering as a walker and/or volunteering:
Staffing Rotary Booth @ Festival of Cultures:
Saturday & Sunday, May 16 & 17
Every year, our club has a booth at Skokie's Festival of Cultures in Oakton Park. Please consider signing up for one or more slots to greet people, share info, and generally represent our club at the booth. Please click HERE to sign up for a time slot!
Serving lunch at A Just Harvest community kitchen:
Sunday, May 31 @ 11:30 a.m.
A Just Harvest is located at 7649 N. Paulina St. in Rogers Park. Teens are welcome at A Just Harvest but all volunteers must be at least 12 years old. We will sign up participants for this one closer to the date.
Clean Up of our Adopted Street:
Monday, June 15 @ 4:00 p.m. (weather permitting)
A couple times a year, we gather to pick up litter and spruce up our adopted stretch of Main Street! We will meet at Dunkin, at the corner of Main & Skokie Blvd. Feel free to bring litter grabbers if you have them, but we'll have trash bags and gloves.
We'll start sign ups for this closer to the date.
Food Pantry Pickups at Trader Joe's:
Ongoing: a reminder about our ongoing Trader Joe’s Food Rescue effort. Our club participates year-round in picking up donated food from Trader Joe’s in Evanston and delivering it to the Niles Township Food Pantry. This is a great way to help stock the food pantry while making sure that good food doesn't go to waste. Specific pick-up times are available via online sign up form HERE.
Thanks everyone! Please let me know if you have questions or any ideas for future service projects.
Jen
Service Project Chair,
Rotary Club of Skokie Valley
