– Inspirations –

"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

- Dr. Seuss

Helping You Help Others

The Volunteer Center (VC) helps residents and service groups of all ages in the New Trier Township, North Shore and greater NE Metro Chicago area volunteer or engage in days of service and service learning with 501C3 nonprofit organizations.

Volunteer Opportunities For Nonprofits Sign Up for The VC eNews Search Nonprofits

Joining the VC Board is a great way to Make A Difference in your community -- and to make new friends! Save Save

Nonprofits received a Record Number of Donations at This Year's Make A Difference Day.

2017 VC Recognition Event Honorees with Executive Director Barb Tubekis and Board President Margot Flanagin

Members of the local press gave tips to nonprofits on how to increase media visibility at Meet Your Press 2017

Involve your whole family in making a difference to starving children in Nicaragua at Kids Against Hunger.

Members of the local Rotary donated carloads of healthy food at last year's Thanksgiving Share Your Bounty event.

Board Member Colleen Harlow delivering Make A Difference Day donations to Counseling Center of the North Shore

No-sew blankets for the homeless is a favorite activity for volunteers our annual MLK Day of Service in January.

Our highly successful MLK Day of Service is held at the Winnetka Community House.

Orphans of the Storm collected a truck full of animal toys, food and supplies at last year's Make A Difference Day.

VC hosts valuable networking and training events for nonprofits throughout the year.

Students taking time off to make toys & blankets for homeless animals during Screen Break Week.

Calling all Nonprofit Executive Directors and Volunteer Managers: Join Us at Our Upcoming Volunteer Management Luncheon and Workshop on May 30, 2018

If recruiting and retaining great volunteers is a challenge for your Nonprofit, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to learn some current best practices for finding, training, and retaining valuable volunteers. This interactive discussion will be lead by Volunteer Center Executive Director Barb Tubekis, Tricia Luzadder of Search, Inc., and Ann Healing of Breakthrough. In addition to discussing how to maximize the productivity of your volunteers — and turn them into community PR machines — we will also be discussing the benefits of utilizing individuals with disabilities in your volunteer program. Please join the Volunteer Center and other fellow Nonprofits for lunch and this beneficial workshop on Wednesday, May 30 in the Winnetka Community House Garden Rooms from 12:30-2:30pm. For more information — and to register — click here.

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60 Nonprofits Attended Our Recent “Meet Your Press” Panel Discussion on March 21st — and Left With Some Great Ideas

Nonprofits looking for new ways to get noticed by the press came together at our 2018 “Meet Your Press” continental breakfast and panel discussion. This interactive discussion was lead by local news professionals from N.E. Metro Chicago print and digital, daily and weekly papers, magazines and social media outlets. Attendees received tips for writing effective press releases, pitching a story, getting your story noticed and the kind of content each media is most interested in. It was a “can’t miss” opportunity to talk to the press — and to network with other local Nonprofits. Stay tuned for information about our next Nonprofit Events coming up this Spring — “Managing Volunteers” and “Successful Fundraising Strategies”.

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Almost 450 Volunteers Helped Pack 100,000 Nutritious Meals at Kids Against Hunger on March 17, 2018

Families, individuals, community groups, and service groups came together at the Winnetka Community House on Saturday, March 17, 2018 to pack nutritious meals for over 100,000 starving people in Nicaragua and local food pantries. Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield, The Winnetka Community House — and the Volunteer Center — this was a great opportunity for volunteers of all ages to work together to make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families who do not have access to healthy food. Thanks to the many volunteers who chose this meaningful way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! This is an annual event, so watch for us again next year.

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Hundreds of Volunteers Turned Out to Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s Legacy with a Community Day of Service

An infectious spirit of giving filled the Winnetka Community House on Monday, January 15 as almost 600 volunteers — families, friends, scout troops, community groups and individuals of all ages — gathered to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring message of tolerance, diversity and service. A variety of fun service projects benefiting ten local nonprofits and the people they serve were offered, and volunteers created and donated over 1,200 blankets, scarves, dog toys, cards, bracelets, placemats and other gifts for people in need throughout Chicago. An Open Mic forum also offered community members an opportunity to share their thoughtful reflections on the relevance of the message and legacy of Dr. King today. This is always a terrific community activity, and we are grateful for the support and generosity of everyone who came. Read more info about the nonbprofits we supported and see photos from the event here. See you next year!

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