Illinois residents donated millions to charity in 2016 and contributed millions of hours of community service valued at more than $7 billion, according to the Illinois Government News Network.
The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service hopes to grow that number in 2017, humbly asking Illinois residents to resolve to volunteer more in 2017. Serve Illinois’ website hosts a database where those seeking to volunteer can search through more than 2,500 volunteer opportunities.
“When we ask people why they don’t volunteer, they tell us that they either didn’t know where to go or no one asked them to,” Serve Illinois Executive Director Scott McFarland said in a statement. “We are addressing both those issues with www.Serve.Illinois.gov. Anyone can serve. Even if you only have an hour to give, there is an organization that needs that hour.”
Serve Illinois notes that, in addition to time, state residents can contribute money. McFarland mentioned that on Giving Tuesday -- Nov. 29 -- Illinoisans gave roughly $10.5 million to charities.
“This one-day effort shows what can be accomplished if people give a little of their time or money,” McFarland said. “Our neighborhoods are only as strong as we make them, and volunteering is the best way to make them better places to live.”
Alerts Sign-up