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Lombard, Ill. —
Do it
From delivering lunch for homebound seniors to helping rake their leaves in the fall, DuPage Senior Citizens Council offers a variety of ways to make a difference in the community. There’s a consistent need for volunteers within the home-delivered meal nutrition program, Meals on Wheels, says Marylin Krolak, executive director of DSCC. The organization also trains those volunteers to conduct a quick well-being check of the seniors and their physical space, and report any concerns. “It’s much appreciated … certainly by families,” Krolak says. “It saves lives.”
Whom it helps
DSCC provides Meals on Wheels for all of DuPage County, in addition to its community dining sites. Other agencies coordinate the service in Kane and western Cook counties, where volunteers also would be welcome.
How to help
Meals on Wheels volunteers pitch in during weekday lunch hours, with kitchen assistants also sought. Drivers currently are especially needed in the Glendale Heights area. Krolak says commitments by volunteers delivering meals range from once a month to three times a week. She also seeks assistance in organizing fundraisers, which include a mid-November wine tasting. Another need is for part-time data entry and administrative work. Animal lovers may want to donate to the We All Love Our Pets program, which provides pet food. Krolak explains that DSCC joined the national initiative after seeing seniors give up a portion of their own meals to feed their four-legged companions. “Some of these seniors have no one, (but) some are fortunate to have a puppy or dog or a cat,” Krolak says, calling the donation program life-sustaining for seniors and their pets. And individuals, families and groups can sign up now to be part of outdoor Chore Days the first three weekends in November, helping rake and perform other yard work to keep seniors in their homes. Volunteers can arrange a weekday time instead, if it’s more convenient. “We get an abundance of requests,” Krolak says of the event, which is repeated in the spring.
Do it
From delivering lunch for homebound seniors to helping rake their leaves in the fall, DuPage Senior Citizens Council offers a variety of ways to make a difference in the community. There’s a consistent need for volunteers within the home-delivered meal nutrition program, Meals on Wheels, says Marylin Krolak, executive director of DSCC. The organization also trains those volunteers to conduct a quick well-being check of the seniors and their physical space, and report any concerns. “It’s much appreciated … certainly by families,” Krolak says. “It saves lives.”
Whom it helps
DSCC provides Meals on Wheels for all of DuPage County, in addition to its community dining sites. Other agencies coordinate the service in Kane and western Cook counties, where volunteers also would be welcome.
How to help
Meals on Wheels volunteers pitch in during weekday lunch hours, with kitchen assistants also sought. Drivers currently are especially needed in the Glendale Heights area. Krolak says commitments by volunteers delivering meals range from once a month to three times a week. She also seeks assistance in organizing fundraisers, which include a mid-November wine tasting. Another need is for part-time data entry and administrative work. Animal lovers may want to donate to the We All Love Our Pets program, which provides pet food. Krolak explains that DSCC joined the national initiative after seeing seniors give up a portion of their own meals to feed their four-legged companions. “Some of these seniors have no one, (but) some are fortunate to have a puppy or dog or a cat,” Krolak says, calling the donation program life-sustaining for seniors and their pets. And individuals, families and groups can sign up now to be part of outdoor Chore Days the first three weekends in November, helping rake and perform other yard work to keep seniors in their homes. Volunteers can arrange a weekday time instead, if it’s more convenient. “We get an abundance of requests,” Krolak says of the event, which is repeated in the spring.
