Elgin Area Agency Holiday Wish Lists

The holidays are an especially important time of year to help those in need. We’ve compiled a list of agencies that are looking for donations of money, items, or time to ensure everyone in the area has the Christmas they deserve. Below you will find a list of agencies, what they are looking for, and how to get involved. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of every opportunity this winter. Check back as we will add more information as it become available.

Association for Individual Development

They’d like gifts for their community residents who have no family to enjoy the holiday with.

• Needs: New clothing in larger sizes, hygiene products, hats, gloves, coats, arts and crafts-type items, or gift cards for Walmart or Target.
• Donations drop off: AID’s Elgin office located at 1135 Bowes Road.

Community Crisis Center

They’d like to match last year’s Elgin Community Toy Giveaway and distribute 6,000 toys to families in need.

• Toy Drive Needs: New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off up until December 15 at the Grand Victoria Casino pavilion, Elgin Township, Habitat for Humanity Re-Store (until Dec 11), and Reruns Too (until Dec 11). Sign up to volunteer at the event on December 15 or 16.
• They are also looking for new or gently used winter ware—coats, hats, gloves, mitten, scarves—and new pajamas for children and women.  Additionally, they have a list of gifts for women. Contact the Crisis Center at 847-742-4088 for more information.

Ecker Center

They are looking for gifts for their clients.

• Needs: adult-sized mittens, gloves, socks, and toys as well as $5 gift cards for Jewel, Wal-Mart, or Target.
• Donation drop off: United Way of Elgin office, 1797 N. LaFox Street in South Elgin.

Greater Elgin Family Care Center

They need products for their clinics.

• Needs: paper products such as copy paper, folders, tissue paper, paper towels, and exam table draperies.
• Donation drop off: At any clinic during normal business hours. The main clinic is located at 370 Summit Street in Elgin.

Larkin Center

Once again, the Larkin Center has their Giving Tree to benefit program clients. Trees are up at many businesses throughout the area. You can find the one closest to you here.

Northern Illinois Food Bank

They collect food donations year-round.

• Donation drop off: During normal business hours at their location at 600 Industrial Drive in St. Charles. You can also call Shannon Thompson, Food Drive Coordinator, at 630-443-6910 ext. 125.

PADS of Elgin

PADS is looking for the following items for their guests.

• Needs: lined coveralls and coats in large sizes (2X, 3X, 4X).
• Donation drop off: The Douglas L. Hoeft Center, 1730 Berkley Street in Elgin.

The Salvation Army Golden Diners

They will be providing Christmas meals for seniors in need.

• Needs: senior-appropriate gifts to be handed out during the dinner.
• Donation drop off: Raquel at the Elgin Senior Dining Center, located in the Senior Services Associates office, 101 S. Grove Avenue in Downtown Elgin.

The Salvation Army

They are doing their Angel Tree again this year. Those interested in getting the name of a child in need of toys can do so by stopping by the Salvation Army building location at 316 Douglas Avenue near Downtown Elgin.

Senior Services Associates

They’d like winter items for seniors in need.

• Needs: winter coats, hats, and mittens.
• Donation drop off: 101 S. Grove Avenue in Downtown Elgin.

United Way of Elgin

We’d like a one year sponsorship for books for a child. Donate $30 to cover the cost of one book every month sent to a child enrolled in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Or send a check, with Dolly Parton in the memo, to United Way of Elgin, 1797 N. La Fox Street, South Elgin, Illinois 60177.

There are also many opportunities throughout the community to get involved and help out during the holiday season. Keep checking our Volunteer page throughout the holidays for other opportunities that may arise.

New Volunteer Opportunities in Elgin

We have a great list of volunteer opportunities from various Elgin agencies and nonprofits on our website. In the past few weeks, 3 new opportunities have been added. Check out these opportunities, or check our entire volunteer opportunity listing now.

• Drive a Senior, Senior Service Associates: You can make a big difference in a senior’s life. Seniors that are no longer able to drive depend on volunteers willing to help. It doesn’t take long, it’s not very hard, but it does provide a much needed service. Senior Services Associates volunteers provide transportation to doctor’s appointment, dialysis, errands and other necessary appointments. Volunteers and seniors have become friends through this service.
• Meal Delivery Person, Salvation Army Golden Diners:Looking for volunteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors in Kane or McHenry County. We have several sites to choose from. We also have congregate sites where the seniors can come and enjoy a hot nutritious meal at lunch time and we need volunteers to serve the meal and clean up afterward.
• Homework Help, Boys and Girls Club of Elgin: Help students after school complete their homework.

Thanks for Living United in Elgin! If you have a volunteer opportunity you’d like to add to the site, you can add an opportunity here.

It’s National Volunteer Week: Thank you to our volunteers!

You share your time, your expertise and your passion. You inspire us and the people around you. And, this community is better because of you. That’s really what it means to LIVE UNITED. In celebration of National Volunteer Week 2010, United Way of Elgin salutes the people who don’t just wear the shirt, they live it. Whether you volunteer for United Way, a local nonprofit, a school or your church, you’re making a difference.  And, thanks to you, we’re creating opportunities for a good life for all.

Celebrate National Volunteer Week by searching opportunities at Elgin-area nonprofits.