Community Corner

Turkey Day a Time for Thanks, Volunteering

Give thanks by giving back to local organizations on Thanksgiving.

'Tis the season to be thankful, and for those who want to show their appreciation by giving back this upcoming Turkey Day, there are plenty of area holiday volunteer opportunities.

The , 400 N. County Farm Road, in Wheaton, needs help Thanksgiving Day transporting residents to and from the holiday parade, as well as serving residents the Thanksgiving meal.

“Volunteers are always welcome,” said coordinator Barb Kolton.

The parade begins at 9 a.m. Volunteers are needed from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m.

The center’s Thanksgiving meal begins at 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
   
Kolton said some families will use the holidays to volunteer.

“We see a lot of that,” she said. “It’s something they can do together while giving back to the community.”

To volunteer at the DuPage Convalescent Center, contact Kolton at Barbara.Kolton@dupageco.org, or Shauna.Berman@dupageco.org.

For those who can’t volunteer on Thanksgiving Day, consider providing a meal for an area family.

A $20 donation to the People's Resource Center can provide a gift card for a Thanksgiving turkey and meal trimmings for a family facing hard times.

This year, the PRC hopes to provide over 3,350 Thanksgiving meals for their client families, according to the organization’s website.

An online donation can be made here, or send a check payable to the People's Resource Center with "Thanksgiving" written on the memo line to 201 S. Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187.

Volunteers are also needed to assist with the , set to begin at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day in Elmhurst, which raises money for several DuPage County organizations, including the People’s Resource Center, United Community Concerns Association, DuPage PADS, Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry, West Suburban Community Pantry and Catholic Charities - DuPage Emergency Services.

“We’re looking for volunteers to help staff the race — hand out water, encourage the runners,” said Lisa Doyle, volunteer coordinator for the People's Resource Center. “PRC is one of the main beneficiaries of the event so any volunteers helping at this event will be directly helping PRC. And you can still do something great for charity that day by helping with this nonprofit fun run.”

To volunteer with the PRC, call Doyle at (630) 682-5402.

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Barbara Schmith of the West Suburban Community Pantry in Woodridge said the organization is looking for 10 volunteers for the Turkey Trot from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

"We're very excited because this is our first year we will be recipients," Schmith said. "So while people can't volunteer (at West Suburban Community Pantry) on Thanksgiving, they can still help us to raise money for the pantry."

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To volunteer on behalf of the West Suburban Community Pantry, call Schmith at (630) 512-9921.


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