Volunteer
Find an opportunity and sign up below!
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Before you sign up, you'll create a VolunteerLocal profile (it's quick and easy). More VolunteerLocal tips
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Each time you volunteer for an event, you'll use the name and email address in your VolunteerLocal profile.
Other ways to get involved:
Schedule a private event | Tackle a hands-on, at-home service project
Serve as a chair or point person for g2 events | Check out our take-home family book clubs
Private Events
We are excited to offer private events to groups around the North Shore of Chicago that support our mission of inspiring gratitude in future generations through education and service. Join us at g2HQ in Deerfield or at your location for an age-appropriate service project that will leave your group feeling inspired and grateful.
g2 private events are perfect for Scout troops, school clubs, youth programs, birthday parties, leadership teams and neighborhood block parties. We have a variety of programs your group can choose from.
Please reach out to Betsy Hara with inquiries:
betsy.hara@gratitudegeneration.org
Inquiry emails should include:
1. Group information
2. Your budget
3. Your timeline
At-Home Service Projects
We can accomplish so much at home! Need an idea for a birthday party activity? Or have some rainy or cold days to fill? g2's hands-on service projects can be done around your kitchen table or wherever you gather family or friends together.
Crocheting or knitting hats & scarves
Are you handy with a crochet hook or knitting needles? Please make hats or scarves from machine-washable yarn and labeled with a size. They will be used in our Gifting with Gratitude program to support people in need. Questions? Email Erin.
Assembling care packages
A fantastic way to support our community while having fun with your family or group: assembling packages for children, families, veterans and others in need. Please see the Donate Goods page to learn which packages g2 is collecting during a given month.
Making plarn
We are always in need of plarn, or plastic yarn, which can be easily made from plastic grocery bags (see directions below). g2 collects balls of completed plarn, and volunteers weave it into insulated, water-resistant sleeping mats that are given to people without access to shelter.
Contact erin.kerpel@gratitudegeneration.org if you have questions about packages for donation, balls of plarn to drop off, or if you need plastic bags or can crochet.
See below, "How to Make Plarn."
At-Home Service Projects
We've all learned recently how much we can accomplish at home! Need an idea for a birthday party activity? Or have some rainy or cold days to fill? g2's hands-on service projects can be done around your kitchen table or wherever you gather family or friends together.
We are always in need of plarn, or plastic yarn, which can be easily made from plastic grocery bags (see below). g2 collects balls of completed plarn, and volunteers weave it into insulated, water-resistant sleeping mats that are given to people without access to shelter.
Contact erin.kerpel@gratitudegeneration.org if you have balls of plarn to drop off (or need more plastic bags)!
You can also contact us about assembling Birthday Bags or Bye-Bye Boredom Bags as an at-home project.
At-Home Family Book Clubs
We've got a way to make story time even more meaningful with our take-home book clubs. We're providing age-appropriate questions, discussion guides and activities to accompany some wonderful children's books that deal with important themes, such as belonging, helping others, and of course, gratitude.
Click on a book cover for a discussion guide and additional book recommendations fitting that theme. And please send us feedback on the discussions these books generate!
How to make plarn (plastic yarn)
It looks a little complicated, but really it isn't! Check out the video below. A great activity for all ages -- and a great way to clear out all of those bags crammed under the sink or in the corner of the closet.
Completed sleeping mats made from plarn. Do you know how to crochet? We'd love to hear from you if you want to try to weave a mat!
