The list below includes all organizations currently preapproved for the Huskies Give Back employee volunteer program. If your organization is not listed below, prior to volunteering, please complete our request form to have it reviewed for inclusion on the preapproved list.
Communications Command Center
Michael Johnson KC9QLT
224-933-2245
kc9qlt@yahoo.com
Mission
The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. We lead the fight against the deadly consequences of diabetes and fight for those affected by diabetes.
Multiple opportunities and locations, including volunteering within our community based day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, volunteering in behavioral health crisis services, or business support/clerical.
Office hours are weekdays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.. Volunteers are asked to commit to one, four hour volunteer shift a week.
Avia McKinzie
630-966-4032
mailto:amckinzie@aidcares.org
Mission
To empower people with physical, developmental, intellectual and mental health challenges to enjoy lives of dignity and purpose.
Volunteer opportunities include:
Times are flexible to meet volunteer schedules.
Sarah Davis
815-756-8444
Mission
Our mission is to serve low-to-moderate income seniors in safety and comfort.
Help set up the food mart! We receive a weekly delivery. You will work on a team of volunteers to help unload the truck, stock shelves and make snack bags for families. Please feel free to volunteer even if you have limited ability to lift or carry – there are plenty of jobs for all abilities.
8:30 – 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays
Joey Moore
773-592-8449
Mission
Barb Food Mart strives to reduce food insecurity and increase nutrition education.
Summer camp volunteer leader.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
BSA Troop 40 Sycamore on Facebook
Ed Hollendoner
815-901-4506
Mission
To train boys and girls in leadership, survival and being a good citizen of the world.
www.sandwichamericanlegion.org
Celeste Latham
815-786-4874
Mission
To serve military veterans.
Volunteer leaders organize participant-led activities for youth to help them explore and develop their natural abilities. Age appropriate materials and training are provided to guide you. You will also meet other leaders to share ideas and activities to make your leadership experience successful and fun. Clubs can meet every week, every other week, or even monthly either during the school year or all year. You decide! The time commitment depends on the number of times you meet per month and what types of activities you chose. Camp Fire Clubs aren’t limited to one leader, we also encourage co-leading with other adults.
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday - Friday
https://www.campfireusa-illinois.org
Jenn Johnson
630-629-5160
cresthill@campfireusa-illinois.org
Mission
To provide, through a program of informal education, opportunities for youth to realize their potential and to function effectively as caring, self-directed individuals responsible to themselves and to others, and, as an organization, to seek to improve those conditions in society which affect youth.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Faith Roberts
217-326-2683
Mission
When you give to Carle Center for Philanthropy, you enhance the world-class healthcare provided by Carle. Charitable gifts provide comfort. Bring peace. Relieve pain. Ease fear. Give hope. Your generosity enables Carle to go beyond what you might expect from a traditional community hospital and offer new and different programs to those we serve. When you give, you’re making the entire healthcare experience more positive for our patients, visitors and communities. You’re helping Carle achieve healthcare excellence.
We have a variety of opportunities throughout the year, such as administrative tasks, organizing bookshelves and distributing marketing materials. Please contact us and we will be happy to work with you.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Jill Olson
815-895-2052
Mission
To advocate for and serve as the voice for abused and neglected children in DeKalb County.
Moving heavy items, setting up and taking down events, maintaining rain gardens and landscaping, painting, updating newsletters, library, art gallery displays, fundraising, publicity, websites and social media.
Varies
AnnaMarie Coveny
815-758-1351
Mission
Offer variety of community experiences to enhance the view of women in both current and historic contexts.
There are many volunteer opportunities with DeKalb County Community Gardens. A few of the opportunities include:
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Heather Edwards
779-212-9543
Mission
DeKalb County Community Gardens empowers individuals to choose healthy and sustainable foods through education and participation.
Straightening books on shelves and other assorted tasks.
Monday– Thursday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Marisa Glover
815-756-9568
Mission
Enrich, inform, entertain, inspire
Planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, aggregation of food products.
During business hours.
Bryan Flower
bflower@niu.edu
773-540-8606
Mission
Highlight and reduce food security issues on and around campus for our students and the NIU community. Build a living learning laboratory that provides educational and practical opportunities for NIU students, local colleges, school children and the community geared around food systems. Create a connection between health, wellness, and the environment in relation to our food systems. Deliver positive environmental impacts directly related to campus sustainability via the food systems work done
Assist the director in creating a marketing plan for the garden weddings and facility rental opportunities at the museum.
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Brian Reis
815-756-4609
Mission
The mission of the Ellwood House Association is to engage visitors with authentic examples of ingenuity and architecture by sharing the Ellwood mansion, gardens and museum campus.
Volunteer to run the coffee shop, gift shop and other special events.
Sue Brainard
815-877-1441
Sueb@fairhaven.cc
Mission
To provide a comfortable lifestyle and exceptional care which enhances quality of life in a manner that glorifies God. Our focus is to share Christ’s love as we serve the physical, intellectual, social, spiritual and emotional needs of all the people entrusted in our care and the lives that we continue to touch.
Volunteer to hand pack food.
We pack food five sessions a day, six days a week. Please visit our website for specific packing times.
Christine Spiegel
763-404-7879
Mission
As a Christian nonprofit organization, Feed My Starving Children is called to feed God’s starving children hungry in body and spirit.
The Forest Preserves of Winnebago County provides unique and enriching opportunities for local citizens to explore and learn about our natural areas and the wildlife that inhabit them. Whether you assist at a one-time event, or commit to a long-term project, our volunteer program offers flexible opportunities that appeal to a wide variety of interests – for individuals and groups alike!
Keith Krey
815-516-2655
kkrey@winnebagoforest.org
Mission
The Forest Preserve of Winnebago County is dedicated to protecting, conserving, enhancing and promoting Winnebago County's natural heritage for the environmental, educational and recreational benefit of present and future generations.
We have a variety of opportunities throughout the year, such as:
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kara Trost
815-786-9404
Mission
The mission of Fox Valley Older Adult Services, a non-profit senior services agency is to:
- Provide programs and services.
- Improve and enrich vital, independent living.
- Enhance dignity and self-respect.
- Encourage participation in community life.
Franklin Creek Conservation Association (FCCA) is located in Franklin Creek State Natural Area in Lee County. The beautiful Franklin Creek flows throughout the 900+ acre area. Several large natural springs, hardwood forests, 500 million year old bedrock outcroppings, hill prairies and a large variety of flora and fauna comprise a diverse ecosystem.
Volunteer opportunities exist in outdoor restoration, education events, and greeting customers to the Franklin Creek Grist Mill in the summer
April – November
Heather Herakovich
815-456-2718
Mission
To promote, conserve, and appreciate the natural area of Franklin Creek through stewardship, education, partnerships and community engagement.
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois offers a wide variety of options for volunteers. Please visit our website to review them.
Varies depending on what you are volunteering for.
Jen Camplain
844-476-4463
Mission
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.
The Volunteer Food Pantry set-up specialist and distribution specialist will assist with the set-up and distribution of pantry items for program participants.
Wednesdays from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 3 – 7:30 p.m.
Khaneidra Horton
815-987-6217
Mission
Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois is a community-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to create opportunities for individuals with barriers to enhance their lives.
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County relies on the support of volunteers to help complete the work that we do within DeKalb County. Individuals that volunteer do not need to have any construction experience and we provide all the tools and safety equipment needed on the jobsite.
8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Kim McIver
815-991-5341
Mission
Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County believes in a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Updating website resources, helping with lunch and activities, helping to prepare a newsletter, other activities as assigned.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Diana King
815-562-5050
Mission
For over 40 years the Hub City Senior Center has been providing a fun, safe and inviting place for seniors to gather with friends. We offer a variety of activities and programs that promote physical, mental, and social wellness. Lunch is served daily and we provide transportation anywhere in the Rochelle area.
Process donations, sort clothes and organize shelving for merchandise. Potentially lifting boxes up to 30 lbs.
Tues. 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Wed./Thurs 4 - 6 p.m.
Julie O'Connell
815-753-4410
Mission
Provide apparel needs for students at no cost. Also encouraging environmental consciousness.
Volunteers are needed to receive, stock and shelf inventory; shop for food; assist clients; organize food drives and much more. Sign up online to volunteer.
Wednesdays: 8 a.m. – noon
Thursdays: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Additional days/times as requested
Kelly Olson
815-753-1421
Mission
We provide supplemental support to currently enrolled NIU students without a meal plan who are experiencing food insecurity at no cost to the student. We employ strategies to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which students can gather the resources needed to alleviate hunger, make healthy food choices and focus more on academic success than meeting their basic needs.
Volunteer to help with pretty much everything around the barn, office and farm.
8:30 – 11 a.m.
Jessica
815-761-4937
Mission
To provide humane treatment and shelter while working as a clearinghouse to seek adoptive homes for all of Illinois' unwanted equines regardless of breed. To educate the public and raise awareness for responsible equine ownership so that fewer horses end up in crisis.
Archives, administrative work, gardening, cleaning and more. They can find a project that fits the volunteer’s skills sets and what they enjoy doing.
Depends on project
Jessi LaRue
815-756-7904
Mission
The Joseph F. Glidden Homestead and Historical Center is dedicated to telling an American story of migration, innovation and philanthropy at the site where Joseph F. Glidden invented "The Winner" barbed wire. The mission is to restore and preserve the site; to collect and preserve relevant materials relating to the Glidden family, the invention of barbed wire and its broader impact on the nation's development; and to educate the public by establishing a museum and innovation center at the site.
Chris Last
608-751-0035
Mission
Janesville Renaissance Productions funds scholarships and community support organizations in Rock County Wisconsin.
We teach K-12th grade students about financial literacy, work-readiness and entrepreneurship. We also help students learn about career options and need for increased education/training.
8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Monday– Friday
Times vary by event.
Amy Youngberg
630-577-7628
Mission
To inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy.
Kishwaukee United Way hosts an annual Day of Caring every June.
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Dawn Littlefield
815-756-7522
Mission
Kishwaukee United Way improves lives by sharing community resources.
The Lincoln Highway Association has a museum and store located in nearby Franklin Grove. They need volunteers to be present in the museum and store, to greet visitors and some basic cashiering.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday – Friday
Kay Kozak
815-751-2887
Mission
- The Lincoln Highway Association (LHA) shall identify, preserve, interpret and improve access to the Lincoln Highway and its associated sites.
- The LHA shall pursue the appropriate measures to prevent further deterioration, destruction or alteration of the remaining sections of the Lincoln Highway.
- The LHA shall publicize and seek public awareness of its goals and activities for preserving, promoting and developing the Lincoln Highway.
- The LHA shall facilitate research about the Lincoln Highway, and publish a magazine for articles and news of activity relevant to the LHA.
- The LHA shall work with local communities and businesses to promote the Lincoln Highway as a tourism destination.
- The LHA shall be exclusively charitable and educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
We are looking for eager volunteers to teach/tutor DeKalb community members whose first language is not English. English abilities range from beginner to high intermediate, and no special training is needed to volunteer. We invite you to come by our tutoring location at 316 N. 6th St DeKalb, between Oak and Pine Streets (Christ Community Center).
Thursday evenings from 6 – 8 p.m.
Love and Faith in Action on Facebook
Doris Macdonald
815-739-7518
Mission
Community English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED tutoring.
Volunteering for prep, serving, and clean up for the annual thanksgiving lunch for the students
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sandy Primm
academyoffice@mmbm.org
Mission
Our goal is to foster an educational environment where our students will grow and develop intellectually, socially, culturally, physically, and, most importantly, spiritually.
Deliver meals to older adults and others in need who are homebound because of illness, physical or mental impairment, who are unable to prepare food independently or who are otherwise isolated. Meals are provided Monday through Friday with the help of volunteers who deliver the meals and make personal contact with each client to ensure their safety and well-being.
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Colleen Bredeson
815-758-3932
Mission
The Meals on Wheels Program in DeKalb County provides nutritious meals to older adults and others in need who are homebound because of illness, physical or mental impairment, who are unable to prepare food independently or who are otherwise isolated.
Serving with a food pantry for international students at NIU. We are a member of the Northern Illinois Foodbank. We serve only international students with their OneCard.
2 – 6 p.m.
Lisa Dietrich
630-290-2563
Mission
Serving and connecting with international students at NIU.
Duties will vary based on the product, but it typically includes assembling boxes, evaluating, sorting, labeling and boxing product for distribution to the community.
9 – 11:30 a.m. and 1 – 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Thursday
Sean Vahldiek
630-443-6910
Mission
Leading the Northern Illinois community in solving hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need through innovative programs and partnerships.
We have multiple opportunities throughout the year. Please contact us for specific opportunities that can be tailored to meet your needs.
Flexible
Karin Podolski
630-659-5560
Mission
Patients First
We have multiple locations in the Greater DeKalb County area, including Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital, Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital and Kishwaukee Health and Wellness Center.
Open Door has a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from assisting with special events and fundraisers to assisting staff with Health Fairs. Orientation is provided.
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Danise Habun
847-754-8064
Mission
Open Door is a regional, patient-centered health care organization that provides services including education, prevention, diagnosis and treatment services to those who have or are at risk for Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV/AIDS, in addition to the greater LGBTQ community.
Cleaning the House, dusting, vacuuming, painting a guest room inside the hospital and other inside or outside work.
Anytime after 10 a.m.
Heather Du Vall
815-762-4882
Mission
The mission of Pay-It-Forward House is to provide physical and emotional rest in a homelike environment to the loved ones of patients receiving medical treatment in DeKalb County, thanks to the hospitality of local volunteers and the generosity of donors from near and far. Pay-It-Forward House knows it has accomplished its mission when its guests are inspired to extend a kindness, large or small, to another person in need, not to pay back a favor, but to pay it forward just to help.
Volunteer to help out in classrooms, over lunch/recess, safety monitor, recess duty, class parties, book fair, PTO events, etc.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday
There are many farm tasks that need to be done all times of the year, from cleaning up manure to cleaning fence lines that have overgrown with weeds and trees. Fence repair, general checking of fence lines for safety. Stacking hay in the late spring to fall. We also need people to groom the rescue horses weekly and spend time with them. Non-labor needs include pictures/videos/marketing for the rescue and assisting with website ideas and fundraising efforts.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tuesday – Saturday
Jen
815-570-3707
Mission
Randy's Rescue is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming of abused, neglected, abandoned and/or senior equines.
Interact with families and animals.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Shelby Hill
815-987-8850
Mission
Lockwood Park is an affordable and family-friendly facility that promotes positive interactions between people and animals.
Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve dinners.
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Charmel Jacobs
815-965-5332
Mission
Drug and alcohol rehab program, shelter, store and job training.
Reading to Sycamore South Prairie Elementary School students (Rotary Reader Program)
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Monday
Mark Spieglehoff
815-375-5377
Mission
Reading programs, college scholarships, support of social agencies.
Several but some include cleaning, painting, and touching up studio to keep its appearance. Also, always looking for people to teach workshops including gardening, etc.
Evenings
Liza Oliva
708-926-4979
Mission
Simply Destinee is founded by a brother/sister duo after the loss of a teen family member to suicide. Our mission is to provide culturally responsive wellness skills that promote youth social-emotional development, and mental health challenges that many students are facing.
Simply Destinee aims to empower youth through music, and other arts as positive outlets to deal with everyday life challenges. This program encourages students to find their own identity while learning positive coping skills, participating in peer support and taking a leadership role around normalizing mental health awareness.
Simply Destinee also offers mental health education opportunities, after school paid opportunities, leadership and youth mentorship to the community. Simply Destinee encourages community collaboration and support for the family as a whole through direct service, education and outreach. Simply Destinee has built community partnerships and in collaboration with other organizations can provide resources for families or youth facing a mental health challenge.
There are many opportunities for a person to volunteer to help. We need help in the office with paperwork, and in the box office which includes ticketing and correspondences with our patrons. We can always use help working on the various shows. It could be set work, costumes, painting, props, artwork or any other aspects of the show.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Jan Kuntz
815-751-9365
Mission
Stage Coach Players has a history of providing challenging, high-quality productions in our community. The mission of Stage Coach Players is to:
- Provide a participatory, community-based venue for those interested in live theater.
- Highlight community participation in all areas of live theater, including, but not limited to: direction, production and presentation.
- Provide educational experiences to community participants of all ages via workshops, theatrical productions and mentoring.
- Preserve its history while committing to actively seeking additional, innovative opportunities for the practice of live theater.
- Afford a broad range of theatrical experiences including, but not limited to: drama, comedy and musical presentations for the artistic benefit of otherwise under-served participants and audiences.
- Maintain a theatrical arts organization in which participants can perform to the best of their abilities through responsible and responsive leadership.
Move shelving and furniture, clean and restock shelves, rearrange items on shelves to ensure they are in order, re-alphabetize movies and weed items using a list provided by staff.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Monica Dombrowski
815-895-2500
Mission
We promote curiosity, encourage development of 21st century skills and foster a sense of community through engaging and responsive collections, programs, services and spaces while being careful stewards of our resources.
Help clean and organize the shelter and, of course, visit with the animals.
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Ali Taylor
815-758-2457
Mission
Building a compassionate community through the care of companion animals.
We are currently seeking volunteers to help us with our spring yard sale fundraising event where we collect donated goods that are resold to the public, with proceeds benefiting our organization. Volunteers are needed to transport goods from storage to the yard sale site and help with setup (Tuesday and Wednesday), and also to help take unsold goods to multiple locations in DeKalb to be donated to other organizations (Saturday afternoon). We are also seeking volunteers to help us research grant/funding opportunities and draft grant applications/appeals that support one of our current or prospective projects in the Mara region.
Yard Sale: times TBD
Grants: flexible
Jason Michnick
630-697-3796
Mission
Our mission is to support community-identified educational improvements for youth, especially girls, in the Mara region as a way to escape poverty.
Food Pantry Volunteer: Volunteers assist clients as they go through the food pantry. Our food pantry is open Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. We ask volunteers to arrive at 8:45 a.m. and typically are done by 12:30 p.m. although we are flexible.
Office Volunteers: Volunteers answer the phone and may do some sorting of papers. Volunteer hours would be Monday – Thursday 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Hours are flexible.
Food Pantry: 8:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday
Office volunteer: 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Thursday
Erin Andrews
815-756-4308
Mission
The Salvation Army's mission is to meet human needs without discrimination.
Kathi Hogshead Davis
779-777-5896
Mission
To give a child a merrier Christmas. In DeKalb County, IL we strive to annually serve children ages 0 to 18 (living at home) by giving:
- Each family a board game, large puzzle, or family video to promote family time.
- Each child at least 2 toys (1 bigger/more expensive, 1 smaller).
- Each child an age-appropriate book to promote literacy.
- Each child several stocking stuffers (small items) depending upon donations.
We offer a wide variety of volunteer programs to get involved with in order to make an incredible impact on our patient's lives! Patient care visits are set-up near your home, or you can find administrative opportunities at our Rochelle office.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Sunday
Annie Etchison
815-561-8866
Mission
Unity Hospice brings premier hospice care to those in need, and helps patients and their loved ones make the final months, weeks and days comfortable and meaningful. That heart and soul flows through our family-owned and operated agency to this very day.
Swimming official is a volunteer position to help organize the swimming meet from local level to national lever.
Friday and weekends
Amanda Schleede
773-851-2783
Mission
USA Swimming is the national governing body for the sport of swimming. We administer competitive swimming in accordance with the Olympic and Amateur Sports Act.
We provide programs and services for our members, supporters, affiliates and the interested public. We value these members of the swimming community, and the staff and volunteers who serve them. We are committed to excellence and the improvement of our sport. We are committed to providing a safe and positive environment for all members.
Volunteer for meals on wheels deliveries.
10:30 a.m. – noon
Nancy Hicks
815-758-3932
Mission
Provide transportation and nutrition services to seniors and people with disabilities.
This event happens every year in May. Volunteers try to get donations to sponsor their participation in a three-mile walk.
walkms.org or nationalmssociety.org
Wren Dahlfors
855-372-1331
wren.dahlfors@nmss.org
Mission
Finding a cure for multiple sclerosis.
Opportunities vary–administrative, sorting baby clothes and cleaning. Please call for upcoming opportunities.
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday
Katie Mehne
815-748-4242
Mission
To empower women to make life-affirming choices.
Volunteers assist with loading vehicles or helping with check-in of participants.
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on Thursdays
westminsterdekalb.wpcomstaging.com
Molly Morris, Associate Pastor
815-756-2905
Mission
God, our Creator, calls Westminster Presbyterian Church to share Christ’s transforming love. We strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ through worship, prayer, learning, service and fellowship. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, we seek to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God.
The Mobile Food Pantry strives to provide much needed food resources for the community of our neighbors, DeKalb, and surrounding communities, working in conjunction with DeKalb County Community Gardens and Northern Illinois Food Pantry.
Video work for promotional and fundraising purposes.
3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Thursday
Nancy Mullen
847-924-4160
Mission
Youth Outlook celebrates, empowers, advocates for and provides services to meet the ever-evolving needs of LGBTQ+ youth and their families, friends and communities.