Welcome to the third quarter volunteer newsletter! Here, you’ll find highlights of last quarter’s volunteer efforts, new opportunities to get involved, community needs, and exciting upcoming events.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Shantal, Carol, Kayla, Viviana
Over the past three months, both corporate and individual volunteers have made a significant impact by supporting the Early Learning Center and Child Thrive, and we bid farewell and wish the best of luck to a long-time CPA supporter as she embarks on her well-deserved retirement.
The Credera team join us for a Child Thrive “Friday Hangouts” session and put together an engineering/sound STEM project for our Thrivers to enjoy.
WGIRLS hosted an amazing Paint & Sip event where attendees painted their own Chicago Bean masterpiece.
Cotter Consulting, led by Sue O’Connor, had a lot of fun assembling bikes for our early learners.
Yetter Consulting Services provided much needed organizational support for the Early Learning Center by assembling accreditation binders.
We attended an emotional and heartfelt gathering to honor Elizabeth Marek, Old Saint Pat’s Outreach Coordinator. Beth has been a key resource and loving friend to CPA families, collecting essentials like diapers, formula, school supplies, and more.
Let us not forget the magical night at the Champions Gala, where sponsors, volunteers, staff members, and supporters came together to celebrate. It was an evening filled with fun and an inspiring showcase of CPA’s efforts in combating inequity.
Explore our upcoming volunteer opportunities!
*Please note, some roles may require proof of vaccines and a background check due to DCFS requirements and the health challenges of our kids. You will be informed of these requirements before volunteering, and you can opt out if necessary. CLICK HERE to download the Volunteer Guide for more information.
Explore the volunteer opportunities below and email us your interests!
We are thrilled to have you joining us!
AUGUST 6: END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION
Time: 11 am – 4 pm
The school year has ended, and it’s time to celebrate all our achievements! Join us in supporting the festivities by volunteering to run various stations and assisting with setup and cleanup. Your help will make this celebration memorable for everyone.
AUGUST 14: GRADUATION DAY
Time: 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
They did it! After all their hard work, they are graduating. Join us in making this magical event unforgettable by volunteering to run stations, distribute food, and assist with setup and cleanup. Your support will help create a memorable celebration for our graduates.
Join Us for Our First Annual Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, September 14th!
We need volunteers for setup, teardown, and event support. The tournament runs from 10 am to 1 pm, and volunteers are needed from 8:30 am to 2 pm.
DECEMBER 7& 8: ELVES IN ACTION DAY
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
The holiday shopping is complete, and now it’s time to prepare the gifts for our CPA kids to ensure a hopeful holiday season during our Adopt A Family Drive. We’ll have hundreds of gifts to sort and distribute to the right programs. So, put on your elf ears and join us for some festive fun! You don’t need to commit to both days or the entire day—just bring a smile and a readiness to embrace the holiday spirit as we do our elf work together.
Our program teams could use organizational and administrative support. If you have a few hours to spare during the week, please let us know!
Monday’s twice a month. Help the Home-Base team prepare for their twice monthly socialization events.
Company Involvement
If your company is involved in philanthropic endeavors, we would appreciate you introducing them to us.
EMAIL US to introduce us to whoever heads the gives back efforts with your company.
Got Ideas?
We are excited to entertain your ideas on how you would like to get involved.
EMAIL US to share your ideas and we’ll see what we can do.
Please take a moment to fill out our volunteer form, indicating your availability and volunteer interests. This will help us match you with the perfect opportunities to make a difference.
Check out ways below that you can support our programs:
July Hygiene Drive
Children’s Place Association is hosting a hygiene product drive this July! Your support in spreading the word across your communities, workplaces, churches, book clubs, and social circles is invaluable. Contributions from our wish list will greatly benefit the kids in our programs and the community we serve.
Hygiene products are a year-round necessity, but the need spikes in the hot summer months. Our goal is to provide essential items and educate on the importance of good hygiene and health, helping the young people we serve take pride in their health and appearance.
Please check out our Amazon link below, shop from the list, or use it as a guide to find the best prices elsewhere. Items can be shipped or dropped off at:
Children’s Place Association, 1800 N Humboldt Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
As always, we thank you for your support, kindness and friendship. Please reach out with any questions via email vgrasso@childrens-place.org or call direct 773-930-2478.
Help Us Prepare Students for Back-to-School!
We’re collecting donations for our Back-to-School Supply Drive this summer. Every contribution helps!
Please check out our Amazon link below, shop from the list, or use it as a guide to find the best prices elsewhere. Items can be shipped or dropped off at:
Children’s Place Association, 1800 N Humboldt Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
As always, we thank you for your support, kindness and friendship. Please reach out with any questions via email vgrasso@childrens-place.org or call direct 773-930-2478.
Child Thrive
- Cooking & baking supplies (measuring cups, spoons, bowls, etc.)
- Kids digital cameras
- Board games (Games like Trouble, Sorry, Headbandz, checkers, chess, Jenga, Spoons, Candy Land, Monopoly, Would you rather for Kids, Charades for Kids, Don’t Break The Ice, Connect Four, Pie Face, Memory Board, Guess Who, Color Brain, Bop It, Clue, Giant Connect Four, Guess in 10 etc.)
- Playing Cards and Uno
Early Learning
Center:
- Diapers and wipes
- Gift baskets for End of the Year Celebration raffle prizes.
Home Base
- Clothing for children ages 0 to 3
Foster Care
- Gift Cards: We can always use gift cards to have them on-hand for families who may be in crisis and/or children who experience foster home placement disruptions.
- Car Seats: We need various types of car seats (infant, convertible, and booster seats) to have on-hand for staff to use and/or for clients to use when we place children in their home.
- Foster Homes Licensing Needs: Smoke/CO2 detectors and thermometers for measuring water temperature.
Support our programs through Amazon—discover how you can help today!
Have fun while supporting our kids at our upcoming fundraisers!
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4: 4TH ANNUAL PICKLEBALL OPEN PLAY
Time: Noon – 4 PM
Calling all pickleball enthusiasts! Join us on August 4th for the 4th Annual Pickleball Fundraiser hosted by the Joie and Wendi Group of At Properties | Christie’s International Real Estate. Don’t miss out—show your support at this exciting event!
CLICK HERE for more information.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14: 1ST ANNUAL CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Time: 10 AM – 1 PM
A day of fun, competition, and community. Tickets are just $25!
CLICK HERE for more information and there will be volunteer opportunities too.