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Lekotek...Volunteer Opportunities
 
Volunteer Donation Icon Volunteers
The donation of time is one of the most generous gifts individuals can give to Lekotek. Expertise to help us repair broken toys, orchestrate playgroups, plan fundraising events, and provide counsel on our boards and committees is very important. The need in the area of volunteerism varies from location to location, so please contact the location in your area if you do not see any available opportunities listed from your area.
 
If you are interested in volunteering for any of the listed opportunities, please print and mail in a volunteer application or complete an online volunteer application below.
 
 
Volunteer Opportunities
Adaptive Computer Support:  Installing adaptive software and hardware. Previous experience in computers is required.


Location:  National Lekotek Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Day(s):  Varies
Hours(s):  Varies

 
Affiliate Grant Writer:  Assist with the research and/or writing of grants for our affiliates throughout the United States. Fundraising, grant writing experience required with an ability to work independent with interested affiliate sites.


Location:  Virtual/Off-Site
Day(s):  Flexible
Hours(s):  Flexible

 
Data Entry Support:  This opportunity includes a couple of data entry projects to support our affiliate network. It is entering data from reports in to a spreadsheet. Initial work needs to be done in our office; however the rest of the work can be done off-site. Data entry accuracy is important. Knowledge of Access and/or Excel is required.


Location:  National Lekotek Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Day(s):  Monday - Friday 2+ hours is ideal if on location
Hours(s):  9:30am to 5:00pm

 
Family Entertainer:  Provide fun, family-friendly entertainment for special events, family playgroups or family picnic or parent meetings. (ex. clowns, musicians, magicians, dancer, etc.)


Location:  National Lekotek Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Day(s):  Based on current special events
Hours(s):  Varies

 
General Office Support:  Assist with general office work - filing, collating, copying, organizing etc. Volunteers can commit 2hrs or more. Knowledge of general office equipment and computer skills is important.


Location:  National Lekotek Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Day(s):  Monday - Friday
Hours(s):  between 9:30am to 5:00pm

 
Market Research:  Provide a variety of marketing research support, assist with the analysis of surveys and data tabulations and reports. Projects can be conducted off-site. Market research experience and computer knowledge is required.


Location:  Virtual/Off-Site
Day(s):  Flexible
Hours(s):  Flexible

 
Parent Support Group Meetings:  Assist with set-up and clean up for Parent meeting. Assist Family Play Specialists with play activities for children with varying disabilities. This group meets monthly on Tuesday nights. Some experience working with children is helpful but a background check is required. A commitment of at least 3 months is required for this position.


Location:  National Lekotek Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Day(s):  One Tuesday per month
Hours(s):  Approx. 6:00 -7:30 p.m.

 
Social skills playgroup:  Volunteers assist with activities. The playgroup is for families of children with special needs. Some experience working with children is helpful and a background check is required. A commitment of at least 6 months is required for this position. The children are ages 4-7. Some of the children need one-on-one assistance.


Location:  National Lekotek Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Day(s):  One Saturday a month
Hours(s):  10:00-11:00 a.m.

 
Spanish-Speaking Playgroup Volunteer:  Have fun with kids and practice your Spanish! This family playgroup consists of 10 families and their children with disabilities. The children are ages 3-6. Some of the children need one-on-one assistance. Each group will be arts focused and conducted in Spanish. We need volunteers to help translate for Spanish speaking families. We also offer monthly support groups on a weeknight where we need help with our Spanish speaking children. Our families are great and you will have fun too!


Location:  National Lekotek Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Day(s):  One Saturday a month (please call for dates)
Hours(s):  1:30 -3:00 p.m.

 
Toy Inventory:  Assist with the numbering and data entry of toys into our library database, where we house information on over 4000 toys and books for children with disabilities. Some computer experience is needed. Volunteers can commit to a couple of hours for this project. Inventory is done once a year. Please call for specific dates.


Location:  National Lekotek Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Day(s):  Monday - Friday
Hours(s):  Annually in early summer

 
Toy Repair:  Repair or adapt wooden and/or electronic toys from our toy library. Volunteers can pick up toys that need repairing and repair them in their home/shop. Other duties may include calling the manufacturers for repair parts. Some knowledge of electrical/wood repair is essential. This project is on-going.


Location:  National Lekotek Center, 2001 N. Clybourn Ave, Chicago IL 60614
Day(s):  Toys can picked up Monday - Friday
Hours(s):  Hours and dates to be determined

 
 

 
Online Volunteer Application:
 
 
Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Day Phone:
Evening Phone:
E-Mail Address:
 

 
How did you hear about Lekotek and our volunteer opportunities?
 
Briefly state why you would like to volunteer at the National Lekotek Center:
 
What type of volunteer opportunities are you looking for? Check all that apply.
 
Playgroups w/ families Computer play w/ children Literacy w/ children
Special events Toy inventory Repairing toys
Data entry Washing toys Entertainment
General office work Bulk mailings Photography
Marketing Filing Fundraising
Organizing    
 
Other: please explain:
 

 
Please indicate your availability on each of these days:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
 
How long of a commitment are you interested in?
One time only Short term (1-6 months) Long term (1 year and over)
 
 

 
What experience do you have working with computers?
 
Please indicate software/computer systems you have a working knowledge of. Check all that apply.
 
Macintosh PC/IBM Word
Excel Access FileMaker Pro
 
 
Other: please explain:
 

 
What experience do you have working with children?
 
What experience do you have working with children with disabilities?
 
What experience do you have working with children who are at-risk?
 
What experience do you have working with computers, software and children?
 
Additional Comments
 

 
   
 
We will be in contact with you soon regarding your volunteer application.   Thank You!
 
 
 
Lekotek Logo   National Lekotek Center: 2001 N. Clybourn, Chicago, IL 60614
773-528-5766 Fax: 773.537.2992 Toy Resource Helpline: 800.366.PLAY
 
 
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