WINTER 2023-2024 REMOTE/VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING
You can help make a difference in Lake County.
Birthday Boxes
Help a family celebrate their child's special day by creating a birthday box. Each box should contain a box of cake mix, a tub of frosting, sprinkles, birthday candles, a disposable cake pan, and a book in a bag or small box. Completed kits can be dropped off at the United Way office.
Collect Basic School Supplies
You can help us collect wide-ruled composition books, wide-ruled notebooks, #2 pencils, sharpeners, Crayola crayons, Crayola markers, erasers, folders, dry-erase markers, and blunt-tip scissors. We will distribute these supplies to local school districts to keep learners active with school. To set up a drop-off date and time, please get in touch with Angela.Ramirez@uwlakeco.org. Our office is located at 330 S. Greenleaf St, Gurnee, IL 60031.
Collect Reusable Grocery Bags
COOL Food Pantry needs reusable grocery bags, which is how clients receive food. You can help by gathering these paper or reusable grocery bags so families can adequately receive and transport their food. You can drop them off directly at COOL Food Pantry, 800 W. Glen Flora Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085; please call (847)662-1230 to set a drop-off time.
Coloring is Fun Kits
Everyone loves to color! Coloring is a fun and expressive way for kids and families to stay busy and connected while practicing social distancing. Help collect coloring books, colored paper, crayons, markers, and even watercolor paints to provide a creative outlet for our community's children. Please order items to create four kits. Put your items in a gift bag or a decorated paper bag. Once complete, contact Angela.Ramirez@uwlakeco.org to schedule drop-off times at our office at 330 S. Greenleaf St, Gurnee, IL 60031.
Donate Diapers
United Way of Lake County's Better Together Program is seeking diaper donations. The program's goal is to build a community where parents can learn how to become their child's first teacher and provide a safe place where children can develop the physical and cognitive skills crucial to their education. Please help fill this critical need by donating diapers or Pull-Ups, sizes 4-6. To set up a drop-off date and time, please contact Rosa.Herrera@uwlakeco.org.
Encouragement Bookmarks
Using positive and kind words can create a supportive and encouraging environment for young learners, inspiring them to develop a love for reading and confidently grow their literacy skills. Gather up your card stock, markers, stickers, and any other fun crafting items and write some words of encouragement and decorations on a bookmark for kids to return to when they save their place in a book. Please make at least five bookmarks with words and designs to encourage young readers. We encourage bilingual messages (English/Spanish). Bookmarks can be mailed to 330 S. Greenleaf St, Gurnee, IL 60031. You can tag us at @UnitedWayLakeCo.
Let's Pack a Lunch
Homemade lunches are healthier and more budget-friendly than fast food or cafeteria options. Help women living in shelters re-enter the workplace by providing insulated lunch bags, thermoses, and water bottles. Take along wet wipes and hand sanitizers are always great additions. Please drop-off at the United Way of Lake County office at 330 S. Greenleaf, Gurnee, IL 60031.
Literacy Kits for New Readers
Learning to read can be fun with the right resources. Please help us help our new readers by creating literacy kits for adults learning to read or improving their reading skills. Each kit can contain a notebook, post-it notes, pens and pencils, highlighters, and a motivational bookmark. To schedule a drop-off at our Gurnee office, contact Angela.Ramirez@uwlakeco.org.
New Moms Needs
United Way of Lake County's Better Together Program seeks items to assist new mothers. The program's goal is to build a community where parents can learn how to become their child's first teacher and provide a safe place where children can develop the readiness, physical and cognitive skills crucial to their education. Please help fill this critical need by collecting baby shampoo and wash, onesies, baby socks, baby bottles, wipes, washcloths, and diapers. To set up a drop-off date and time, please contact Rosa.Herrera@uwlakeco.org.
Notes of Encouragement
Homebound seniors and veterans are isolated and cut off from their family and friends. Writing letters of encouragement or creating cheerful cards can be an excellent way to brighten their day and provide some connection to the world again. Please consider writing letters or making cards to send to a senior living center or a veteran center. For a list of Long-Term Care facilities, contact Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org.
Snack Packs
You can assemble nutritious Power Packs to keep children alert and healthy! In a quart-size plastic bag, include snack items like apple juice or orange juice, granola bars, fruit cups, apple sauce and crackers and a note of encouragement. Please stay away from items with nuts and peanut butter. Completed packs can be dropped off at the United Way office.
Sock Drive
No one should go without warm, dry socks. Too often, those experiencing home displacement find themselves in need of these essential items. Please help us collect new socks of various children and adult (women/men) sizes. You can drop it off at PADS Lake County at 1800 Grand Ave., Waukegan, IL—Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please ring the bell and staff will come to the door and collect your donations.
Stylus for Kids
As student's educational landscapes change, so do their needs. More students are equipped with touchscreen devices for learning. Stylus pens make a great accessory to encourage them to learn and succeed in the classroom. Help students keep styling with stylus pens. Donations can be dropped off at the United Way office.
Tissues for Teachers
Please help us keep classrooms healthy by collecting facial tissues. With the cold season quickly approaching, help teachers combat classroom germs with a supply of facial tissues. Please contact Angela.Ramirez@uwlakeco.org to schedule drop-off times at our Gurnee office.
Warm Winter Clothing Drive
Help children prepare for the cold winter months. Many families need help with providing warm winter clothes for their children. You can help by collecting coats, hats, scarves, boots, and socks. Once complete, contact Angela.Ramirez@uwlakeco.org to schedule a drop-off at the United Way of Lake County office at 330 S. Greenleaf, Gurnee, IL 60031.
Wrap it up! Holiday Style
In preparation for our Holiday Wish List program, we will collect holiday wrapping paper, tape, ribbon, and bows to share with our community organizations to create beautifully wrapped gifts for their Home Visiting families at holiday time. To schedule drop off, contact Angela.Ramirez@uwlakeco.org.
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Contact Bobbi Selvik at Bobbi.Selvik@uwlakeco.org or (847) 775-1022
