The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is seeking volunteers and donations.
The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is seeking volunteers and donations.
The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service is encouraging residents to join the fight against COVID-19, issuing a news release on April 2, that they were facilitating volunteers and donations.
“Serve Illinois volunteers have helped approximately 270,000 citizens since the beginning of the COVID-19 effort,” said Serve Illinois Commissioner Char Foss-Eggemann in the release. “We typically have about 6,000 to 7,000 ongoing volunteer sign-ups in our system. However, as of this week, we have more than 22,000 volunteers who have signed up to assist others. Our website averages about 130 visits per week but we experienced 40,000 website visits in a single day this week. It is absolutely phenomenal.”
To donate personal protective equipment to Illinois health care workers during the COVID-19 outbreak, visit www.Serve.Illinois.gov. There are also options on the website to search for volunteer opportunities. The commission is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health for a medical response team involved in statewide COVID-19 efforts. Individuals who have medical experience and want to volunteer are encourage to visit www.illinoishelps.net.
Donors can contribute to the lllinois COVID-19 Response Fund on the website. It is a collaboration of the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations and The United Way of Illinois with the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker. The donations help fund emergency supplies, housing and medical costs.
Other volunteer opportunities are available at www.Serve.Illinois.gov. These include donating blood, providing a support system for senior citizens, working with food backs and more. Community organizations can also provide information about volunteer needs. They also offer suggestions on community support such as texting isolated neighbors and family or being particularly sensitive to the needs of children at this time.
The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service said that if you feel sick, please do not show up to volunteer. This is for your health as well as others around you. Any volunteers who show up sick will be asked to return home.
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