Hope and Friendship Foundation Kicks off 2012 with Volunteer Sign-up Night

The Hope and Friendship Foundation will hold a volunteer sign-up night Wednesday for those wishing to participate on any of its 2012 projects.

Founder Terri O'Neill will be at the Lemont Township office, 1115 Warner Ave., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

O'Neill is looking for volunteers for fundraising, publicity/marketing and outreach (budgeting, job search help and mentoring for individuals in need).

She is also looking for volunteers for the following events:

Give that Dress Another Night Out, March 9-10

The event gifts dresses to those who cannot afford them, and sells dresses to others at a cost of only $20. People are needed to donate prom dresses and clothing, put up signs, and help set up on March 9 (from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.).

Spring Cleaning Care Baskets, April

Cleaning products are collected for homes that cannot afford them. The Lemont Junior Woman's Club puts together baskets in the spring, so Hope and Friendship tries to offer a good donation in th spring. People are needed to help collect and sort donations.

Easter Baskets of Personal Care Items, week before Easter

The St. Patrick's Mens Club rounds up the baskets, but Hope and Friendship puts them together in family groups and delivers them to homes.

Mother’s Day Gift Bags, May

Donations are needed for Mother's Day gift bags. Past gifts include pizza gift certificates, flowers and personal care items.

Hope and Friendship Tag Days, May 18-19

Volunteers are needed to stand on corners in front of local businesses to ask for change. 

Unbirthday Party, Late Summer

The event is put on with Calvary Church, and celebrates the birthdays of every kid in attendance. 

Mission Work Week for Youth

O'Neill hopes to designate one week during the summer to invite kids to do work throughout the village—such as clean up yards and public areas, collect donations for the food pantries, and deliver baked foods and notes to seniors, firefighters and police officers. 

Summer Field Trip for Kids, Late Summer

I have taken kids to the Chicago Fire Game, the Emergency Vehicle Night at the Car Show w/ a stop for ice cream, and the Joliet Slammers Ball Game.  Most likely will be doing the Joliet Slammers game again because the kids love the baseball park andthe fun that goes with it.  Need chaperonesand donations to make this one happen.  Otherwise it’s just a fun night of taking our kids who never get to leave Lemont on a rare road trip!

Family Swimming at the Lemont Park District, second week of August

The Juniorettes and the Lemont Park District join with Hope and Friendship to host a pool party for families who cannot afford to visit Centennial Pool. Volunteers are needed to collect donations and help at the event.

Community Rummage Sale, first Saturday in October

Volunteers are needed to collect donations for the rummage sale, which will gift $25 in items to families in need. Last year the event gave away hundreds of dollars of household items, furniture, appliances, toys, bedding and kitchen needs.

Winter Clothing Drive, first Saturday in November

Volunteers are needed to collect donations of all types of winter clothing, then sort the items for those in need.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Thanksgiving Day

This day is a day of gathering, fellowship and food , O'Neill says. Volunteers are needed to collect, cook and serve food on Thanksgiving Day.

Christmas Dinner and Care Box Delivery, Christmas Day

Volunteers are needed to collect donations to prepare more than 50 Christmas meals and care boxes of household needs (cleaning items, paper products, personal products). 

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O'Neill started Hope and Friendship in December 2005 to help those facing financial, emotional or physical crises. She has made it her personal mission to feed, comfort and assist as many people as possible.

In its six years of existence, Hope and Friendship has organized community Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas meal deliveries and care packages, birthday parties for underprivileged children, food drives to support the Lemont Food Pantries, and various other fundraisers to support Lemont residents facing dire circumstances.

This year, O'Neill turned Hope and Friendship into a foundation in an effort to expand her community outreach.