Five Nonprofits Making a Difference: Patch Picks

Every Thursday, Patch will run a weekly feature called Patch Picks, highlighting editor and reader picks of great local businesses, destinations, services, organizations, ways to spend a day off, and more.  

You’ll find useful lists to help you, your family, friends, and significant others find the best places for everything from Sunday brunch to New Year’s Eve celebrations, pumpkin patches, date night destinations, florists, girlfriend nights out, kids party places, parks and more.

For this week, we've picked five nonprofit organizations in Lemont that are making a difference every day.

1. Friends of the Library

If you like books, consider volunteering with the Friends of the Lemont Public Library, whose members work to enhance the library through fundraising and advocacy efforts. Twice a year, the Friends hold a book sale to raise funds and “can always use help setting up the Monday and Tuesday of the sale week,” said member Pam Nogal.

One perk? “You can attend the preview night of the book sale to get the best picks,” Nogal said. The Friends also help out at the children and adult programs.

Meetings are held at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month (except July) at the library, 50 E. Wend St. For more information about the Friends, visit www.lemontlibrary.org.

2. Educational Foundations

Help improve academic experiences for local students by supporting the Lemont High School and Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A educational foundations. The organizations are dedicated to helping achieve district-aligned goals and objectives. For more information, visit either www.lhs210.net or www.sd113afoundation.org.

3. Lemont Area Historical Society

History buffs can help promote the village’s heritage by volunteering with the Lemont Area Historical Society, located in the Old Stone Church at 306 Lemont St. Lead a walking tour of Lemont’s historic downtown, help maintain the museum property, or archive photos and newspaper articles.

“Learning about our village’s history puts you in touch with the past and makes you more appreciative of what we have today,” said Susan Donahue, Lemont Area Historical Society museum coordinator.

For more information about the historical society, visit www.lemonthistorical.org.

4. Community Nutrition Network and Senior Services Association

The organization’s Meals on Wheels program is always in need of  meal delivery drivers to get homebound seniors their lunches during the weekdays. CNNSSA serves nearly 600,000 meals a year to more than 7,500 seniors regardless of their race, religion or economic status in suburban Cook, Kendall and Grundy counties. For more information, call 630-257-0515.

5. Hope and Friendship Ministries

Since 2005, the organization founded by Terri O'Neill has been reaching out to those in the community in financial, emotional and physical crisis. Hope and Friendship projects include delivering Christmas dinners and care boxes, winter clothing drives, and hosting an “Unbirthday Party” for children who have not been privileged to be the guest of honor at an elaborate birthday celebration. Call 630-816-4972 for more information or to volunteer.