Volunteer
Learn about our current volunteer opportunities with United Way of Lake County.
Driving Community Change
Together, We Change Lives
Roll up your sleeves. Give an hour. Give your best. You make United Way programs possible. Every contribution fuels essential programs that empower children, families, and individuals in Lake County. By giving today, you invest in programs that uplift families, strengthen education, and provide essential resources. Your support ensures every person in Lake County has the chance to thrive.
Your generosity creates opportunities, drives equity, and builds a stronger community for all.
Driving Community Change
Together, We Change Lives
Roll up your sleeves. Give an hour. Give your best. You make United Way programs possible. Every contribution fuels essential programs that empower children, families, and individuals in Lake County. By giving today, you invest in programs that uplift families, strengthen education, and provide essential resources. Your support ensures every person in Lake County has the chance to thrive.
Your generosity creates opportunities, drives equity, and builds a stronger community for all.
Ongoing Opportunities
Your Actions Shape Our Community
The sections below show how you can take action to help the people and places that matter most to you. Together, we can drive real, lasting change right here in Lake County.
Host a School Supply Drive
Rally your team to support local students! United Way of Lake County will partner with your company to coordinate a school supply drive, helping ensure children have the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. Supplies are needed year-round to support learning and boost confidence for kids across our community.
- Timing is flexible and based on your company's availability
- Strong internal support is essential for a successful drive
Interactive Learning Installations
Bring color, creativity, and encouragement to our community! Volunteers are needed to help paint Early Learning Trails, install Sensory Paths, and create Motivational Messages that inspire and uplift. These projects are designed to promote learning, movement, and emotional well-being for children and youth—and are installed in a variety of locations, including schools, public libraries, and community spaces.
Join Leaders United
Leaders United is a dedicated network of caring individuals who are passionate about making a difference for local youth and families. Together, we invest our time, talents, and resources to help students overcome challenges and build a strong foundation for success in school and life.
Leaders United is open to all community-minded individuals who contribute $250+ annually and want to make a lasting impact in Lake County.
Join Women United
Women United is a group of dedicated women leaders committed to creating lasting change in Lake County through service, philanthropy, and a shared passion for early childhood education. Members invest $1,000 or more annually, engage in volunteer projects, network with like-minded women, and support initiatives that help our youngest learners thrive.
Get involved at your own pace—opportunities are available year-round to fit your schedule. Curious to learn more? Attend an upcoming “Wine & Learn” or "Lunch & Learn" event and discover how you can make a difference.
Host a Winter Clothing Drive
Help keep local children warm this winter! United Way of Lake County will work with your company to coordinate a drive to collect new or gently used winter clothing—coats, hats, gloves, boots, and more. Your support ensures children stay safe, warm, and ready to learn, no matter the weather.
Self-Guided Opportunities
Support Your Community from Anywhere
Explore flexible remote volunteer opportunities that allow you to make a meaningful impact from anywhere.
Collect Basic School Supplies
You can help us collect wide-ruled composition books, wide-ruled notebooks, #2 pencils, sharpeners, Crayola crayons, Crayola markers, erasers, folders, dry-erase markers, and blunt-tip scissors.
We will distribute these supplies to local school districts to keep learners active with school. 60031.
Donate Diapers
United Way of Lake County's Better Together Program is seeking diaper donations.
The program's goal is to build a community where parents can learn how to become their child's first teacher and provide a safe place where children can develop the physical and cognitive skills crucial to their education.
Please help fill this critical need by donating diapers or Pull-Ups, sizes 4-6.
Encouragement Bookmarks
Using positive and kind words can create a supportive and encouraging environment for young learners, inspiring them to develop a love for reading and confidently grow their literacy skills.
Gather up your card stock, markers, stickers, and any other fun crafting items, and write words of encouragement and decorations on a bookmark for kids to return to when they save their place in a book.
Please make at least five bookmarks with words and designs to encourage young readers. We encourage bilingual messages (English/Spanish). Bookmarks can be mailed to 330 S. Greenleaf St, Gurnee, IL 60031.
Let's Pack a Lunch
Homemade lunches are healthier and more budget-friendly than fast food or cafeteria options. Help women living in shelters re-enter the workplace by providing insulated lunch bags, thermoses, and water bottles.
Take along wet wipes and hand sanitizers are always great additions. Please drop-off at the United Way of Lake County office at 330 S. Greenleaf, Gurnee, IL 60031.
Literacy Kits for New Readers
Learning to read can be fun with the right resources. Please help us help our new readers by creating literacy kits for adults learning to read or improving their reading skills.
Each kit can contain a notebook, post-it notes, pens and pencils, highlighters, and a motivational bookmark.
Contact us to schedule a drop-off at United Way of Lake County’s office.
Notes of Encouragement
Homebound seniors and veterans are isolated and cut off from their family and friends. Writing letters of encouragement or creating cheerful cards can be an excellent way to brighten their day and provide some connection to the world again.
Please consider writing letters or making cards to send to a senior living center or a veteran center. Contact us for a list of long-term care facilities.
Sock Drive
No one should go without warm, dry socks. Too often, those experiencing home displacement find themselves in need of these essential items. Please help us collect new socks of various children and adult (women/men) sizes.
You can drop it off at PADS Lake County at 1800 Grand Ave., Waukegan, IL—Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please ring the bell and staff will come to the door and collect your donations.
Stylus for Kids
As student's educational landscapes change, so do their needs. More students are equipped with touchscreen devices for learning. Stylus pens make a great accessory to encourage them to learn and succeed in the classroom.
Help students keep styling with stylus pens. Donations can be dropped off at the United Way of Lake County's office.
Tissues for Teachers
Please help us keep classrooms healthy by collecting facial tissues. With the cold season quickly approaching, help teachers combat classroom germs with a supply of facial tissues.
Please contact us to schedule drop-off times at United Way of Lake County’s office (330 S Greenleaf St, Gurnee).
Easy Meal Kits
Donate ingredients for an easy, hearty chili made entirely from shelf-stable items to support local families. It’s a simple way to make a big impact.
What to Include:
Place the following new, unopened items in a large ziplock bag:
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can pinto beans
- 1 can tomato sauce
- 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 packet of chili seasoning
These kits offer comfort and nourishment to families in need.
Contact us to schedule your drop-off and help share the warmth.
In-Kind Donations
Join Us in Creating Change
Donations support our community members with limited access to resources.
School Supplies (new)
Books - Pre-K through 5th grade
Backpacks (new)
Coats, Gloves, Hats, Scarves, Boots (new)
We accept these items during the winter.
Children's Toys (new)
Have other things to donate? United Way of Lake County's 211 website has an agency wish list with goods and services needed by Lake County providers.
Volunteer With Us
Join Us in Creating Change
Fill out the form below to explore volunteer opportunities and discover how we can work together to create lasting impact in Lake County.
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