The spirit of volunteerism gets a Lincoln Park boost on Sunday, Feb. 6, when St. Pauls United Church of Christ hosts its public St. Pauls Volunteer Fair from noon to 2 p.m. in the church gymnasium.
“Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance, a season for reflection and taking stock,” said Volunteer Fair Chair Ann Brinkman. “Many people have traditionally observed Lent by giving something up, such as a favorite activity or food, or even a bad habit. By hosting the Volunteer Fair, St. Pauls is inviting people to consider giving something back to the community instead.”
Sponsored by the St. Pauls Outreach & Benevolence Committee, which designates annual grants to help fulfill the missions of local not-for-profit organizations and service agencies, the Volunteer Fair will feature representatives from a diverse range of community organizations from across the city. Whether a person’s interest focuses on issues of poverty, literacy, homelessness, teen pregnancy, disease, civil rights, the environment, or other issues that confront the metropolitan community, visitors to the Volunteer Fair will find an organization that will offer them a genuine opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life, as well as in their own. Agency representatives will be on hand to talk about their organization’s work, answer questions, and provide information on how to get involved.
Organizations at the Volunteer Fair include the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation, La Casa Norte, The Night Ministry, St. Pauls House and Health Care Center, Casa Central, Bottomless Closet, Uhlich Children’s Advantage Network, Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, and Heifer Project International. Many others are expected as well.
At the Volunteer Fair, visitors can help assemble health kits for the world’s children in crisis. “In the spirit of volunteerism, Volunteer Fair attendees will be invited to help assemble health kits that will be sent to Church World Service,” said St. Pauls Associate Pastor Jeff Carlson. “These kits will help meet day-to-day hygiene needs of children in Iraq, South Asia, and other parts of the world in crisis.”
The public is welcome to attend and partake in the afternoon’s activities. Refreshments will be served, along with a hearty welcome.
St. Pauls United Church of Christ, an open and affirming congregation, is located at 2335 N. Orchard St. between the corners of Fullerton Avenue and Kemper Street. Validated parking will be available in the Children’s Memorial Hospital parking garage, located directly across the street from the hospital on Lincoln Avenue between Belden Avenue and the Lincoln-Halsted-Fullerton intersection. Attendees will receive validation coupons at the fair. |
