SPOTLIGHT ON AN ORGANIZATION:
Champaign County Forest Preserve District
Since 1935, the Forest Preserve District has fostered Champaign County’s natural and historic resources. The District is comprised of five year-round natural preserves that include Lake of the Woods, River Bend, Sangamon River, Homer Lake, and Middle Fork River. The District provides local history and keeps nature thriving through educational resources, conservation, and outdoor recreation opportunities. There are several year-round and seasonal volunteer opportunities with the District. Outdoor volunteer opportunities include Trail Stewards, who help keeps trails clean and safe by monitoring and helping with upkeep, Garden Stewards, who need not bring their own supplies, Seed Collectors, Bluebird Monitors, and Invasive Species Control. Other volunteer opportunities that support education include youth program support, receptionists, cataloging materials, photography, and helping out with various special events.
For more information about the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, please visit http://www.ccfpd.org/. To volunteer, contact Kim Horbas, Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] or (217) 586-3360.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign
The Bike Project co-op offers a space, tools, and community to repair bikes, share knowledge, hold classes, and advocate for bikes in Urbana-Champaign. The Bike Project has two locations to serve their members: 202 S. Broadway in Urbana (basement of the UC-IMC) and 608 E. Pennsylvania in Champaign. The Project has an urgent need for volunteers to assist with operating open shop hours at both locations. If you like working on bicycles, or if you would like to learn more about maintaining your own bicycle while helping others, stop by Volunteer Night, every Wednesday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Urbana location to meet other volunteers and learn more about The Bike Project and how we can help each other.
For more information about the Bike Project, please go to http://www.thebikeproject.org
Illinois Radio Reader
The Illinois Radio Reader broadcasts to more than 350 blind and visually impaired listeners in East Central Illinois. Listeners use a special receiver to hear from multiple local newspapers, books, entertainment programming, etc. This service depends on dedicated volunteer readers who read 80 hours of local programming per week. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, call 217-333-6503.
For more information on Illinois Radio Reader, please go to http://will.illinois.edu/community/services/
Champaign County Health Care Consumers
Champaign County Health Care Consumers (CCHCC) is a citizen action organization that attempts to bring meaningful reforms to the health care system through the active involvement of consumers. Volunteer opportunities include becoming a Consumer Health Care Advocate or a Task Force Member, and there is a current need for office support-data entry, making phone calls, posting flyers, scheduling, and common tasks at the office. Volunteers who can create a set schedule are preferred. An ability to speak Spanish is not necessary but is a plus.
For more information on CCHCC volunteer opportunities, please visit http://www.healthcareconsumers.org/ or call (217) 352-6533.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Champaign County Humane Society Volunteer Orientation
Join the Humane Society on Thursday, July 28 from 6-8 PM at the Champaign Public Library for information on how to volunteer. Perfect for animal lovers ages 16 and up. For more information please go to http://www.cuhumane.org/.
Yappy Hour-A Benefit for the U of I’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Bring your furry friend out for an after work cocktail, Friday, July 29 from 4-6 PM at the Canopy Club. All proceeds will benefit the Humane Connection Fund at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Human guests will enjoy catering from Manolo’s, along with two drink tickets, and furry friends will have access to the water bar and gourmet treats.
Must be 21 and over to participate. Tickets are $20/person and $5/pet. For more information and to register, please visit http://vetmed.illinois.edu/advancemen
Disclaimer: I gather this information based on local community calendars and from colleagues at local service organizations. Some of the wording is based directly on what I receive and research. Please feel free to email me if you have any comments, questions, or have anything you would like to see posted. Thank you. (MER)