Lots of Good from Doing Good

Many things in life can improve our lifestyle and longevity — among them is volunteering. According to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service, people who volunteer approximately two hours per week enjoy significantly better health. Those people age 70+, who volunteer approximately100 hours per year, report less decline in health and functioning levels, including depression.

At Friendship Village, over 175 Friendship Village residents are motivated to volunteer across 600 positions for many reasons including wanting to do something for others, feeling good about helping, spending their time productively, etc. But the truth is, doing good is good for them, too.

Volunteerism is greatly valued at Friendship Village. In fact, a coalition of five programs was formed so residents can regularly volunteer to help in the wider community. Formal arrangements for volunteer services currently include these worthy organizations.

Hoover Elementary School
Along with helping children in the classrooms, Friendship Village residents are undertaking a long-term project with the entire school to help them build and maintain a greenhouse. This “hands-on science” gives “The opportunity for the kids to see some of the trades in operation. Lots of kids will learn about concrete, electricity, plumbing and woodworking,” according to volunteer Shirley Odegaard.

Also associated with this project are members of Friendship Village’s Go Green Club and volunteers with handyman, gardening and various other skills. The children will learn to grow the vegetables organically and will donate the food to the local food pantry.

Care Cap Crusaders
Crocheting, knitting and sewing hats for needy children and people undergoing chemotherapy is a popular volunteer activity. Friendship Village residents recently won an award from Halos of Hope, a not-for-profit group that provides hats to cancer patients, for the 270 hats the residents created for this organization. In a ceremony this past fall, 106 year old, Lottie Rhoades was recognized by the Village of Schaumburg for the 600+ hats she has made for others in the past several years.

Go Green Club
Taking responsibility for the regular clean-up along the bike path on Pleasant Road, is just one of the many initiatives undertaken by the community’s Go Green Club. In addition, the club has started recycling efforts at the community and writes regular tips about how to dispose of potentially harmful garbage. The group routinely collects and properly disposes of medications, batteries and other substances at the designated recycling centers. Members of the Go Green Club will also be involved with the Greenhouse Project at Hoover School.

Willow Creek Food Pantry
A popular volunteer activity is working at the Willow Creek Food Pantry that offers emergency food relief to the hungry in the local neighborhoods. According to the Care Center Director, Josie Guth, “Hunger brings people in the door, but we provide additional care, resources and services to them. Above all, we exist to share the love of Christ with those God brings to us.”

Children’s Home + Aid Center
Resident volunteers give one-on-one attention to infants, toddlers and three year olds at the Schaumburg Children’s Home + Aid. The Center services 100 families at any given time. Volunteer programs are recently expanded to include programs with parents to help them write resumes and acquire interview skills, teach household budgeting and counseling.

Wings
Women who are victims of violence receive the benefits of the house wares, furniture, clothing and other resources that volunteers assemble for them.

How You Can Help
To learn how you can lend a helping hand to others, please contact these groups directly. To volunteer at Friendship Village, please call Jeannette Magdaleno, Life Long Learning Coordinator: 847-884-5539.