La Grange Volunteer Fair

Looking to give back and don’t know where to start? Looking to meet new people, grow as a person, and have fun while doing it? Visit the La Grange Volunteer Fair and find a new passion to support. You’ll meet new people with similar interests and benefit the community at the same time!

Event Details

Thursday, September 18
6:00pm to 8:00pm
La Grange Public Library
10 W. Cossit St.
La Grange, IL 60525

No cost to attend!

Organizations Attending

BEDS PLUS CARE
BEDS Plus, Inc. Is a leading homeless services provider in South and West Suburban Cook County, IL. Mission Our mission is to help vulnerable individuals stabilize their lives through housing and supportive services. Vision Our vision is to end homelessness.

Volunteers Needed:

LaGrange
- Front Desk: Answer hot line, greet visitors to building, handle mail and packages
  - Available shifts:
  - Tuesday: 8am – 12pm and 12 – 4pm
  - Thursday: 8am – 12pm and 12 – 4pm
  - Saturday: 8am – 12pm and 12 – 4pm
- Food Rescue and Delivery
  - Available shifts;
  - 11am M-F
Cicero Avenue Shelter
- Lobby attendant
  - Available Shifts:
    - Saturdays and Sundays from 9am – 12pm
- Meal teams: Provide and/or set up, serve and clean up
  - Available Shifts
    - Fridays from 4:30 – 7pm
      Saturdays from 3:30 – 6pm
Summit Medical Respite
- Kitchen volunteer: Warm up and serve provided dinner, set up and clean up
  - Available shifts:
    - 4 – 8pm, 7 days a week
- Meal teams: to make or serve dinner 7 days a week.
  - Provide, set up, serve and clean up from 5 – 8pm
  - Drop off meals at 5:30pm ≈
Countryside
- Case Aid for American Inn: Assist the case manager with organizing space and inventory, assist with lunch distribution, support clients with their goals (job searches, directions/transportation), visit with clients and provide basic needs
  - Available shifts:
    - Wednesday–Thursday, 12 – 4pm

COMMUNITY ASSISTED RIDES
Community Assisted Rides (CARS) champions local older adults by providing them with safe and convenient ride services and supportive, friendly community outreach–all made possible with the generosity of our donors, community partners, and wonderful volunteers. Our vision is to unite generations to help older adults thrive as they age, which in turn fosters a connected and compassionate community that benefits us all. Call 708-354-9328 or email Coordinator@communityassistedrides.org for more information.

Volunteers Needed:

CARS volunteer hours are highly flexible and work around our volunteers’ own schedules, it’s easy to make a profound difference in an older adult’s life with Community Assisted Rides––and the relationships formed are mutually fulfilling. Our volunteers find the work deeply rewarding on a personal level, as they foster meaningful connections with our VIPs and see firsthand the difference the gift of time can make.

HELPING HAND
Helping Hand is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Cook County and greater Chicagoland communities. We offer a wide range of person-centered programs and services that enhance the educational, therapeutic, residential, and employment opportunities for those we serve. Our programs and services include a school, progressive employment programs that promote being equally valued in workplaces, pediatric therapies (occupational and speech/language), high school transition services, Community Living (CILA), and specialized programs with high team member-to-client ratios for seniors with disabilities.

Volunteers Needed:

Ongoing Opportunities

2 hrs/week
6–12 months
Age 16+

Want to make a real difference over time? Join us for just 2 hours a week, and stick with it for 6–12 months. Apply online, and we’ll guide you through our friendly screening process (about 3 weeks) to match you with the perfect role.

Short-Term Opportunities

Flexible time
Under 16 with adult

Got a day, a season, or a holiday to spare? Jump in for a short-term project and see how fun giving back can be!

Corporate Opportunities 2-hour team sessions

Age 16+

Bring your team for a hands-on experience—spruce up spaces, help at events, or join in activities with our clients. Every session is tailored to your group and ends with an inspiring talk from our Client Mission Ambassador.

KIWANIS CLUB OF LA GRANGE
The mission of Kiwanis is to work together for the betterment of our communities through service, leadership and funding. Its purpose is to make friends, cultivate young leaders and provide the opportunity to socialize with like-minded friends. The club also sponsors two Service Leadership Programs along with its college scholarship program within the community Don’t miss your chance to provide service to local charities and to make a difference in someone’s life. The club is always looking for ways to support children while helping to build a better community in which we live. valued in workplaces, pediatric therapies (occupational and speech/language), high school transition services, Community Living (CILA), and specialized programs with high team member-to-client ratios for seniors with disabilities.

Volunteers Needed:

in addition to providing service to those in need; the club holds 2-3 fundraisers per year to raise funds so that we can give back to local non-profits. Some past recipients include but is not limited to: Boy Scouts of America, Greater LaGrange YMCA, Pillars Community Health, Helping Hand Center. We are always looking for volunteers to help in the efforts to raise money, such as, helping at our “Un-Pancake” Breakfast (which is usually held in April or May every year), “Disc Golf” tournament, Poinsettia Sale during holidays, Plant/Flower sales in spring and a “Bags” tournament in 2025. Kiwanis also supports $30,000 in college tuition annually that is awarded among six local students. Another way to volunteer is to help review scholarship applications from high school students so that we are able to award these students with this gift. We could use your help. Please contact us at LaGrangeKiwanisIL@gmail.com.

LA GRANGE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
From the La Grange Carnival to the West End Arts Fair, Hometown Holiday and more, the La Grange Business Association is behind many of the larger events here in our Village.

Volunteers Needed:

Age 14+, Event Assistants, Event Runners, Info Booth Workers, Booth Sitters, Ticket Sales, Clean-Up Crew, and more!

OPTWELL
OptWell is a new 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization inspiring health and wellness in Chicago’s western suburbs. We’re building a community where prevention and healthy habits improve everyone’s quality of life: Eat Well, Get Moving, Mental Wellness, Quality Sleep, and Manage Health. Through community partnerships, educational programming, and social support, we make healthy choices more accessible and achievable for all. Our offerings include free health and wellness events and programs, such as Mindful Movement sessions, workshops, and resource fairs that support movement, mental wellness, resilience, healthy aging, and more. Learn more at optwell.org.

Volunteers Needed:

We are seeking a volunteer bookkeeper who is proficient in QuickBooks to work 1 to 2 hours per week on average. We are also looking for volunteers who support our mission of health and wellness and can be greeters at our events to welcome and sign in attendees and to assist with any set up and/or distribute materials. Perfect opportunity for someone already planning on attending our events. Thank you.

PARK DISTRICT OF LA GRANGE
In their 95 year history, the District has grown and evolved to continue to meet the changing recreation needs of its residents. The Park District currently maintains 66.7 acres of parkland at 13 locations. The Park District serves a three-square mile area that matches closely with the boundary of the Village of La Grange and includes a section of unincorporated Cook County to the southwest. Their mission is to enrich the lives of our community members by providing exceptional recreation programming, parks, and facilities. Their vision is to be a leader in serving the well-being and recreational needs of our diverse community

Volunteers Needed:

To be announced

PILLARS COMMUNITY HEALTH
Pillars Community Health works to improve the health of our communities and empower individuals through compassionate, whole-person care. We envision communities where all people have equal access to the care they need, when they need it.

Volunteers Needed:

Pillars Community Health provides numerous social services to southwest suburban Chicagoland. Because of this, volunteers are needed for a variety of roles including: Special Event / Fundraising Volunteers; Sexual Assault Advocates (requires 40-hour training + volunteer commitment); Domestic Violence Services Volunteers (requires 40-hour domestic violence training); Buddy’s Place Volunteers (requires training). Please note: Due to the sensitive nature of some of these opportunities, state mandated trainings and/or formal background checks may be required. Also note: While some of these may be sensitive, these opportunities are extremely important and can be life-changing. You can truly make a difference.

ST. CLETUS FOOD PANTRY
The St. Cletus Food Pantry welcomes residents of the Lyons Township Community who are struggling to make ends meet. We provide groceries, personal items and household goods, and may help with limited financial assistance.

Volunteers Needed:

We have over 1,000 volunteers every year that assist the pantry and our neighbors. We need your support and have volunteer opportunities for adults, families, children, and groups!

UCHICAGO MEDICINE ADVENT HEALTH LA GRANGE
Volunteering at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth is a meaningful way to Extend the Healing Ministry of Christ through compassionate service- no matter your faith background. Whether you’re offering a warm smile, comforting a patient, or supporting our care teams, every moment you give helps bring hope and healing to those who need it most. As a hospital volunteer, you become part of a mission that fosters love, dignity, and Whole-Person Care. By joining us, you’re not just giving back- you’re making a lasting difference in the lives of others.

Volunteers Needed:

Teen (16+), College and Adult Volunteers needed!

Birth Center/ Mother Baby Unit (Hinsdale)
Coffee Shop (18+)
Emergency Department Lobby
Emergency Department Nursing Station (18+)
Family Medicine Center (La Grange)
Gift Shop (18+)
Greeter/ Lobby Guide
ICU/PCU (18+)
Mail Room (Daytime hours only, 18+)
Medical Unit
Minister of Care (MOC)
Music
Same Day Surgery
Surgical Unit
Surgical Waiting Room
Warehouse/ Supply Chain

WESTCHESTER FOOD PANTRY
The Westchester Food Pantry works to end food insecurity in the western Cook County suburbs. Clients can come to the Pantry once each calendar month to receive fresh produce, frozen meat, pantry staples, bakery items, dairy products, eggs, ready-made meals, household products and more. Each cart that leaves our facility is valued at $350 retail. We strive to be a consistent source of nutritious food for our neighbors in need.

Volunteers Needed:

We have a variety of volunteer options: client choice, set up, food reclamation, GCFD receiving crew, fundraising, outreach and more. Age restrictions, physical ability requirements, dates and times are all available on our website. We use Sign Up Genius for most volunteer shifts. At the Westchester Food Pantry, we receive all clients with care and kindness–volunteers are a huge part of our kindness crew! Please email us with any questions: Info@WestchesterFoodPantry.org.