Besides bundling up in the cold and consuming absurd amounts of turkey, November brings with it special opportunities to give back to the community. This year, consider spending your break volunteering instead of fighting over Black Friday sales.
Festival of Trees
The Crittenton Center hosts Festival of Trees as a community-wide event and fundraiser for its center. Volunteers will help decorate trees and lace the town with holiday wreaths. Some decorations can be bid on by community members to help raise money.
• Nov. 21-23
• First Federated Church on the corner of Sheridan & War Memorial
• www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e49aca72cab9-festival2
Yule Like Peoria
The Yule Like Peoria Committee is looking for volunteers to help make the city look holiday ready. Volunteers will decorate approximately 175 light poles. Lunch will be provided.
• Nov. 22, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Downtown intersection of Main Street and Adams
• (309) 681-2827
Chicago Basket Brigade
For those going home to the Windy City for break, stop by the Chicago Basket Brigade and lend a helping hand. The group puts together gift baskets filled with Thanksgiving goodies. Currently, they are looking for 300 drivers to help deliver the items. Those interested can register at chicagobasketbrigade.org.
• Nov. 23 at 9 a.m.
• UIC Physical Education Building 901 W Roosevelt Rd. (Chicago)
• contact@chicagobasketbrigade.org
Children’s Home
Bradley’s chapter of American Marketing Association is hosting a toy and clothing drive in the Baker Atrium. Students and staff are invited to drop off new toys and gently used clothing or donate money to the cause. If you can’t make it to the Atrium, they will also collect items in Baker 407 and 409 and the second floor of the GCC.
• Nov. 24, 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 1, 12:30 to 3 p.m. and Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Baker Atrium
• Rebecca Walczak, ama@mail.bradley.edu
The Salvation Army-Heartland Division
The Salvation Army is always looking for volunteers, especially during its Thanksgiving dinner. Volunteers may be part of the clean up crew, table servers, cooks or greeters.
• Nov. 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• 417 NE Jefferson St.
• Call (309) 655-7200 ext. 141 with any questions
Midwest Food Bank
The food bank is looking for year-round volunteers, especially during Thanksgiving, to help pack food for their patrons. This year, the pantry was able to distribute 36,000 cases of food and is always accepting donations of sustenance.
• Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• 9000 N Industrial Rd.
• (309) 691-5270
Neighborhood House
The house is looking for volunteers to help with its Meals on Wheels program, food pantry and various other facility operations. Neighborhood House runs all year and would be a great place to serve even if it’s not Thanksgiving.
• Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• 1020 S Matthew
• (309) 674-1131
Peoria Friendship House of Christian Services
The center hosts Friday Night Takeout, which provides enough food for a family to last them the weekend. Families of the local community can come in each weekend and pick up the supplies they need. Friendship House needs volunteers to put the packages together, direct people as they enter and distribute various products.
• Every Friday, 2 to 4 p.m.
• 800 NE Madison Ave.
• Call (309) 671-5200
