Save the Date!  Mark Your Calendar Now for Our Annual Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
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Save the Date! Mark Your Calendar Now for Our Annual Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 21, 2023.

Make a Difference Day is one of the North Shore’s favorite community days of service — and a great opportunity to clean out your closets to benefit people (and animals!) in need. All you have to do is collect gently-used and new items ranging from school supplies to sporting goods, textbooks to toiletries, coats to cookware — and more! Then just load up your car and drive through and drop off your donations to grateful nonprofits who will put them to good use serving people (and animals) who need them! We’ll even help you unload your car.

Please donate only items selected from listed below, as they are what the nonprofits really need. It is also important to bag your donations by nonprofit, labeled with the name. We hope to receive a lot of donations, so this will keep the donation line moving and allow us to sort efficiently.

Thank you for supporting Make a Difference Day and all of our nonprofits. See you there!

Make a Difference Day
Make a Difference Day
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Recycle Your Goods for Good at This Year’s Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 23rd

Now is your chance to clean out your closets to help nonprofits who serve people in need in our local community.  Make A Difference Day is one of the North Shore’s premiere days of service that is a perfect opportunity to join with your family, friends, school and community group to recycle your gently-used goods to benefit nonprofits who need them.  Please sort, bag & label your items then drop them off at the Indian Hill Train station in Winnetka (111 Green Bay Road) on Saturday, October 23rd from 9-12.  See you there!

 

Please Sort, Bag & Label Your Items for Each Organization Below Before You Donate

Books4Cause — Gently used books, all genres, including textbooks, CDs, DVDs and vinyl

Connections for the Homeless — Disposable NEW men’s razors, men’s coats and warm outerwear (boots, gloves, etc.), duffels, backpacks and rolling suitcases

Counseling Center of the N.S. — Women’s clothing and coats, & men’s clothing (Connections for the Homeless is collecting men’s coats)

Gears 4 Goals — Sports equipment – no golf, hockey or ski equipment

Glass Slipper Project — Jewelry and dressy purses

Hadley Institute for the Blind — Eyeglasses and cases

Infant Welfare Society — Baby diapers (any size), wipes and formula (any kind)

Junior League of  Evanston/North Shore — Casual Purses, formal dresses, warm outerwear (no men’s), household items and
      NEW travel-sized or small toiletries:

  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Lotion
  • Soap/Body Wash
  • Dental Floss
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste
  • Mouthwash
  • Deodorant

Lawrence Hall  Educational games and puzzles

Madonna MissionNEW School Supplies:

  • Erasers
  • Pencil Sharpeners
  • #2 Pencils
  • Index Cards
  • Notebooks
  • Composition Books
  • Highlighters
  • Ballpoint Pens
  • Glue Sticks
  • Crayons
  • Markers
  • Individual Tissue Packs

Northfield Food Pantry — Non-perishable food, household cleaning supplies and paper goods

Northwestern University Settlement House — Baby, toddler and children’s clothing, coats and shoes

Orphans of the Storm — …

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Our Biggest Make A Difference Day Ever!

A Generous Community Cleaned  Its Closets to Benefit People and Animals in Need

Make A Difference Day is one of the North Shore’s favorite opportunities to lend a hand to local nonprofits serving people in need.  Even with the challenges of the pandemic, this year was no exception.  With support from our dedicated volunteer partners from Highcrest Middle School — and this year’s host Wilmette Junior High School — we were able to send our nonprofit partners away with cars and trucks bursting at the seams with valuable donations.    And our guest dog from Orphans of the Storm even found a home!  Many thanks to all who helped make this such an inspiring event.

Participating Nonprofits and Items Collected

Books4Cause —  Gently used books, all genres, including textbooks, CDs, DVDs and vinyl

Childcare Network of Evanston —  Infant Baby diapers, size newborn to 6. Baby wipes and pull-ups, especially 3T-4T boys and girls. Formula – Regular, Gentle Ease and Similac

Connections for the Homeless  — Men’s casual winter clothing and coats, hoodies and sweatshirts;  duffels, sleeping bags, suitcases

Counseling Center for the North Shore  —  Women’s clothing and coats

Gear 4 Goals —  Sports equipment

Glass Slipper Project  — Women’s jewelry and formal/dressy purses

Hadley Institute for the Blind and the Visually Impaired — Eyeglasses & Cases

Junior League of Evanston/North Shore  —  Casual purses, travel-sized toiletries

New Trier Township Food Pantry  — Non-perishable Food, paper goods, laundry detergent

Northwestern Settlement — Baby, toddler and children’s clothing, coats and shoes

Orphans of the Storm  —  Pet supplies, food, newspapers, pets to adopt!

Refugee One  — Winter boots for all ages and genders

Woman’s Club of Evanston  — Prom dresses and dress shoes

Working Bikes  — Adult bikes in repairable condition and gently-used kid’s bikes

YMCA of Metro Chicago  —  Toys, …

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Thanks to Everyone in the Community Who Turned Out to Support Our 2018 MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY on Saturday, October 27th!

Hundreds cleaned out their closets to benefit some outstanding nonprofits at this year’s Make A Difference Day, sponsored by the Volunteer Center.

Make a Difference Day is always a fun and meaningful day of service that mobilizes our local community to do something good for the organizations who work year-round to do good for so many.  This year was no exception.  It was a great opportunity for individuals, families, neighborhoods, schools and community groups to work together to make a difference.

Cars lined up to deliver over 25,000 donations, ranging from children’s clothes to sporting goods to household items — even prom dresses and eyeglasses.  An army of volunteers sorted and packed donations into the waiting vehicles of the grateful nonprofits.  Everyone went home feeling the Spirit of Giving alive and well in our community.

Mark your calendar NOW for Make A Difference Day 2019 — Saturday October 26, 2019 — always the 4th Saturday in October.  We’ll see you there!

2018 Make A Difference Day Participating Nonprofits

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Make A Difference Day 2017

 

Want to find out more about Make A Difference Day — or The Volunteer Center?  Email info@volunteercenterhelps.org

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Thanks to Everyone in the Community Who Turned Out to Support This Year’s MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY

Hundreds cleaned out their closets to benefit some outstanding nonprofits at this year’s Make A Difference Day, sponsored by the Volunteer Center.

Make a Difference Day is always a fun and meaningful day of service that mobilizes our local community to do something good for the organizations who work year-round to do good for so many.  This year was no exception.  It was a great opportunity for individuals, families, neighborhoods, schools and community groups to work together to make a difference.

Cars lined up to deliver over 25,000 donations, ranging from children’s clothes to sporting goods to household items — even prom dresses and eyeglasses.  An army of volunteers sorted and packed donations into the waiting vehicles of the grateful nonprofits.  Everyone went home feeling the Spirit of Giving alive and well in our community.

Mark your calendar NOW for Make A Difference Day 2019 — Saturday October 26, 2019 — always the 4th Saturday in October.  We’ll see you there!

Make A Difference Day Participating Nonprofits

[table id=10 /]

Make A Difference Day 2017

Want to find out more about Make A Difference Day — or The Volunteer Center?  Email info@volunteercenterhelps.org

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It Was a Record-Breaking MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY on Saturday, October 28th!

Hundreds of people cleaned out their closets to benefit 15 outstanding nonprofits at this year’s Make A Difference Day, sponsored by the Volunteer Center.

Make a Difference Day is always a fun and meaningful event that mobilizes our local community to do something good for the organizations who work year-round to do good for so many.  It’s also a great opportunity for your family, neighborhood, school or community group to work together to make a difference.  And this year we broke all records!

Cars lined up for hours, waiting to deliver almost 24,000 donations, ranging from children’s clothes to sporting goods to household items — even prom dresses and eyeglasses.  An army of volunteers sorted and packed donations into the waiting vehicles of the grateful nonprofits.  Everyone went home feeling the Spirit of Giving alive and well in our community.

Many thanks to the donors, the volunteers, the participating nonprofits — and the hard-working Volunteer Center Board who made it all happen!

Make A Difference Day 2017

2017 Make A Difference Day Participating Nonprofits

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Want to find out more about Make A Difference Day 2017 — or The Volunteer Center?  Email info@volunteercenterhelps.org

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Another Successful MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY for the Volunteer Center and 15 of Our Nonprofit Partners!

Make A Difference Day 2016 was a great opportunity for individuals, families, schools or your community groups to clean out some closets to benefit 15 outstanding nonprofits who make a BIG difference in our community every day.

2016-mdd-nonprofit-recipients-finaljpg

Want to find out more about Make A Difference Day — or The Volunteer Center?  Email info@volunteercenterhelps.org

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Thanks to everyone who helped make our 13th annual Make A Difference Day a Huge Success!
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Thanks to everyone who helped make our 13th annual Make A Difference Day a Huge Success!

What —  Generous donors drove through and dropped off new and gently used items to benefit 14 local nonprofits

When —  Oct. 24, 2015

Where — Indian Hill Train Station Parking Lot in Winnetka

Who — This year we  supported the following 14 area nonprofits

Bernie’s Book Bank
 
Children’s Books
 
 
Connections for the Homeless
 
Men’s Clothes, Shoes, Duffels, Sleeping Bags, Blankets
Family Service of Winnetka 
 
Women’s Clothes
 
 
Gear 4 Goals
 
Sport’s Equipment
 
 
Hadley School for the Blind
 
Eyeglasses and Cases
 
 
Infant, Inc.
 
Powdered Formula and Diapers
 
 
Jr. League Evanston-North Shore 
 
Prom Dresses and Accessories
 
 
New Trier Township Food Pantry
 
Non-Perishable Food, Paper Goods, Cleaning Supplies, Unused Toiletries, Laundry Detergent
Orphans of the Storm
 
Dog and Cat Food, Pet Toys,Old Towels, Newspapers
 
Refugee One
 
Adult and Kids Outerwear and Boots
 
 
Revive
 
Toys, and ChildrensCclothes
 
 
Salvation Army
 
All Miscellaneous Items
 
 
Working Bikes
 
Any Condition Bikes
 
 
YMCA of Metro Chicago
 
School Supplies, Backpacks, Educational Games & Puzzles

 

2015 MDD flyer final (1)

Mark Your Calendar for VC 2022-23 Days of Service — and Watch for More Details to Come!
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Mark Your Calendar for VC 2022-23 Days of Service — and Watch for More Details to Come!

9-11 DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE

Sunday, September 11, 2022:  In honor of the heroes of 9-11, drop off PURCHASED baked goods (home baked not allowed), cards and games, personal notes, etc. to your local fire and police departments to thank them for their service.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY

Saturday, October 22, 2022:  Donate gently used and new goods to benefit over a dozen community nonprofits. 

THANKSGIVING MORNING “SHARE YOUR BOUNTY” EVENT

Thursday, November 24, 2022:  Donate food to families at the Good News Partners low-income and subsidized housing in Rogers Park.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY OF SERVICE

Monday, January 16, 2023:  Participate in many different service projects in support of multiple area nonprofits.

KIDS AGAINST HUNGER

February 25, 2023:  Bring your whole family or service group to pack nutritious meals for over 100,000 starving Nicaraguans.  

EARTH DAY

April, 2023 (Date and Location TBD): Join us for projects like weeding, planting, clearing natural habitats and generally cleaning up the environment in support of Earth Day.

PAPER SHREDDING EVENTS

Dates and Locations TBD:  Several times a year the VC and New Trier Township will sponsor what have become popular drive-through document shredding events.  These are free to the community.

PLUS…

2023 VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION CELEBRATION

Spring, 2023 (exact date to be determined):  Join the Volunteer Center at this lively event and help us pay tribute to outstanding volunteers who have made a significant difference in our community.  

Thanks to everyone who helped make Make-A-Difference Day 2014 our most successful ever!
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Thanks to everyone who helped make Make-A-Difference Day 2014 our most successful ever!

 

 

Nonprofits We Collected for at Make A Difference Day 2014

Bernie’s Book Bank
Children’s Home and Aid
Connections for the Homeless
Evanston School Children’s Clothing Assoc.
Family Focus
Family Service of Winnetka/Northfield
Hadley School for the Blind
INFANT, Inc.
Junior League of Evanston-North Shore
NTT Food Pantry
Orphans of the Storm
Refugee One
Salvation Army
The Sports Shed
Working Bikes
World Relief Chicago
YMCA Metro Chicago