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!
Bernie’s Book Bank | Children's books through 6th grade -- fiction and nonfiction (they do NOT accept comic, activity, text, reference books) |
Northwestern University Settlement House | Children's clothing -- infant through preteen |
Connections for the Homeless | Men's clothes, shoes, outerwear, linens, blankets, towels, duffel bags, small wheeled luggage |
Counseling Center of the North Shore | Women's clothing, formal wear, fine shoes |
Gear 4 Goals | Sports equipment |
Glass Slipper Project | Prom dresses, accessories |
Goodwill | Any extra and unassigned items |
Hadley Institute for the Blind & Visually Impaired | Eyeglasses and cases |
Infant, Inc. | Size 1 diapers, powdered baby formula |
Junior League of Evanston/NS | Purses, unopened travel-size toiletries |
New Trier Township Food Pantry | Nonperishable foods, paper goods, detergent |
Orphans of the Storm | Pet supplies, food, old towels, newspapers |
Refugee One | Coats and boots -- all ages |
Working Bikes | Bikes and bicycle parts -- ANY condition |
YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago | School supplies, backpacks, educational games and puzzles |
Donations to The Volunteer Center are tax-deductible.
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