25 volunteers will help sorting essentials and packing diaper orders to support children in need across Chicagoland. Every item helps ensure a child has the basics they need for a healthy start.

• ​Date: March 21, 2026

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: Share our Spare (3800 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60641)

• ​Afterparty: location to be confirmed

​Transit

• ​Parking: you may use the parking lot of the building, which is located on Milwaukee Ave. Do not park in the Kilbourn Ave lot at the back of the building: the taxi company there will tow unauthorized vehicles.

• ​Closest transit: Bus #56 (Milwaukee)

​20 volunteers will support a variety of hands-on projects, including painting classrooms and offices, updating bulletin boards, and assembling snack packs.

• ​Date: March 21, 2026

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: Erie House (1701 W Superior Street, Chicago, IL)

• ​Afterparty: location to be confirmed

​Transit

• ​​Closest Transit: Buses #66 (Chicago) and #9 (Ashland).

20 volunteers will take part in a “Spring Cleaning” day at Center on Halsted, helping with trash pick-up, disinfecting the building, cleaning tables and chairs, sweeping, organizing, and taping one of the courts.

• ​Date: March 21, 2026

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: Center on Halsted (3656 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60614)

• ​Afterparty: location to be confirmed

​Transit

• ​Parking: Street parking available around the building.

• ​Closest Transit: Buses #8 (Halsted), and #36 (Broadway), Red Line (Addison).

Each of our 20 volunteers will be a buddy for one or two youth athletes, helping them participate in a variety of sports activities and have a great time. No previous experience is required, you’ll receive coaching tips so you can jump right in.

• ​Date: February 14, 2026

• ​Time: 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• ​Location: UIC Sports & Fitness Center (828 S Walcott Ave, Chicago, IL 60612)

• ​Afterparty: Haymarket Pub & Brewery (737 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661). Food and street parking available.

​Transit

• ​Parking: Paid parking just south of the Fitness Center. Very limited free street parking in the area.

• ​Closest transit: Polk (Pink Line), Buses #50 (Ashland), and #126 (Jackson).

​

​​60 volunteers will create, count, pack, and sort cards that will go to those in need of encouragement across the globe!

• ​Date: February 14, 2026

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: West Loop Library (122 N Aberdeen St., Chicago, IL 60607)

• ​Afterparty: Haymarket Pub & Brewery (737 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661). Food and street parking available.

​Transit

• ​Parking: Street parking and parking structures available nearby.

• ​​Transit: Morgan (Green line), Buses #8 (Halsted), and #20 (Madison).

​

15 volunteers will help help pack Home Delivery bags and boxes with food by working across produce, dry goods, and dairy/freezer lines. Additional tasks may include gleaning and general warehouse support.

• ​Date: February 14, 2026

• ​Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

• ​Location: 1716 W. Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60622

• ​Afterparty: Haymarket Pub & Brewery (737 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661). Food and street parking available.

​Transit

• ​Parking: Free street parking available nearby.

• ​Closest Transit:  Ashland (Green/Pink Line), Buses #50 (Damen), #9 (Ashland), #65 (Grand).

​

20 volunteers will participate in Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign through a letter-writing activity. More details about the campaign can be found on the link Write for Rights - Write a Letter, Change a Life.

• ​Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 

• ​Location: The Embassy Public House (1435 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607)

• ​Afterparty: The Embassy Public House

​Transit

• ​Parking: Street parking available nearby.

• ​Closest Transit: Polk (Pink line), Buses #9 (Ashland), and #157 (Streeterville/Taylor).

25 volunteers will assist with furniture building, loading and unloading, packing kitchenware boxes, and organizing the showroom.

• ​Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: 4801 S Whipple St, Chicago, IL 60632

• ​Afterparty: The Embassy Public House (1435 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607). Closest transit: Polk (Pink line), Buses #9 (Ashland), and #157 (Streeterville/Taylor).

​Transit

• ​Parking: Free street parking on Whipple St. Please do not park in their lot or loading dock.

• ​Closest transit: Kenzie (Orange Line) and Bus #47 (47th Street).

​Special Instructions
Volunteers participating in this event are required to complete the waiver at the following link: Chicago Furniture Bank Volunteer Waiver.

​20 volunteers will assist with cleaning up the school after recent construction work.

• ​Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026

• ​Time: 9:00 a.m.

• ​Location: 1919 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60608

• ​Afterparty: The Embassy Public House (1435 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607). Closest transit: Polk (Pink line), Buses #9 (Ashland), and #157 (Streeterville/Taylor).

​Transit

• ​Parking: Parking at school and street parking available.

• ​Closest transit: 18th (Pink Line), Bus #9 (Ashland)

​60 volunteers will create, count, pack, and sort cards that will go to those in need of encouragement across the globe!

Get festive with us! This is a Holiday-themed event, so feel free to rock your ugliest Christmas sweater or any fabulously festive outfit Santa would approve of.

• ​Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: West Loop Library (122 N Aberdeen St., Chicago, IL 60607)

• ​Afterparty: Shamrock Club (210 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654). Nearest transit stops are Merchandise Mart (Brown and Purple Lines), and Clark/Lake (all L lines). Food and street parking available.

​Transit

• ​Parking: Street parking and parking structures available nearby.

• ​Transit: Morgan (Green line), Buses #8 (Halsted), and #20 (Madison).

​20 volunteers will help organizing and wrapping gifts for the families served by the Lyte Collective programs.

Get festive with us! This is a Holiday-themed event, so feel free to rock your ugliest Christmas sweater or any fabulously festive outfit Santa would approve of.

• ​Date: December 13, 2025

• ​Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• ​Location: 549 E 76th St, Chicago, IL 60619

• ​Afterparty: Shamrock Club (210 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654). Nearest transit stops are Merchandise Mart (Brown and Purple Lines), and Clark/Lake (all L lines). Food and street parking available.

​Transit

• ​Parking: Street parking.

• ​Transit: 79th Street (Red Line)

​Join Volunteering Untapped Chicago for our Giving Thursday Social! Come hang out, meet new people, and reconnect with fellow volunteers. Plus—Pilot Project is giving back by donating a portion of the evening’s profits to support our mission. Come raise a glass and make a difference!

25 volunteers will help decorate bags and wrap gifts for older adults that participate on Little Brothers programs. It's a wonderful opportunity to spread joy and show them they matter! 

• Date: Saturday, November 8

• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• Location: 355 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60607

• Afterparty: Estereo Fulton Market (1001 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607)

Transit 

• Parking: Limited street parking around the location. 

• Transit: Ashland (Green/Pink), #65 (Grand) bus

​15 volunteers will assemble toiletry kits for the Fresh Start Kits program, which provides essential items to individuals whos have recently transitioned from homelessness into a new living space.

• ​Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: 567 W Lake Street, Chicago, IL 60661)

• ​Afterparty: Estereo Fulton Market (1001 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607). Street parking and food available (empanadas only).

​Transit

• ​Parking: There is limited parking around the building.

• ​Transit: Clinton (Green/Pink), #65 bus.

​20 volunteers will be packing and assembling 200+ Environmental Engineering kits in an assembly line fashion. These kits will be going towards teaching 4th and 5th graders the wonders of STEM!

• ​Date: Saturday, November 8

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• ​Location: 2023 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612

• ​Entry: Call SparkShop on the callbox to be buzzed in, then head to the second floor and follow our signs.

• ​Afterparty: Estereo Fulton Market (1001 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607). Street parking and food available (empanadas only).

​Transit

• ​Parking: Free street parking on Carroll and nearby streets. Avoid yellow lines and dock entrances.

• ​Transit: Damen (Green Line) Train, 65 (Grand) Bus, and 50 (Damen) Bus

​​The hunt is back! Get ready for our 6th Semi-Annual Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt, an event hosted in partnership with Chicago for Chicagoans.

This time, we’re heading to the colorful and culture-packed neighborhood of Pilsen. Join us to explore a neighborhood filled with beautiful murals, vibrant culture, Chicago history, and good food, all while we enjoy some friendly competition and fun with our VU friends!

​We’re gathering a group of 40 to split into teams of 4–5. The winning team will take home a special prize — so bring your game face (and maybe your lucky charm). Teams will be announced on the day of the event.

​Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Location: Pilsen, Chicago (meeting point to be announced)
Price: $10 per person
Afterparty (optional): After the hunt, we’ll head to a local bar to celebrate a Saturday well spent.

Sign-Up Here!

​20 volunteers will be packing and assembling 300-400 Environmental Engineering kits in an assembly line fashion. These kits will be going towards teaching 4th and 5th graders the wonders of STEM!

• ​Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: 2023 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612

• ​Entry: Call SparkShop on the callbox to be buzzed in, then head to the second floor and follow our signs.

• ​Afterparty: Irish Nobleman Pub (1367 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60642). Food and street parking available. The nearest transit is #65 Navy Pier.

​Transit

• ​Parking: Free street parking on Carroll and nearby streets. Avoid yellow lines and dock entrances.

• ​Transit: Damen (Green Line) Train, 65 (Grand) Bus, and 50 (Damen) Bus

​15 volunteers will be building shelving that will be used for JASC’s archives. These archives will be used to house a collection of materials and documents of the Japanese American experience during WWII.

• ​Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: Japanese American Service Committee (5700 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60659)

• ​Afterparty: location to be defined

​Transit

• ​Parking: Free Parking in the lot to the North side of the building on Lincoln Ave.

40 volunteers will help making costumes and other materials for the upcoming Arts in the Dark parade that CCRx is participating in.

• ​Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025

• ​Time: 10:00 a.m.

• ​Location: Creative Chicago Reuse Exchange (2124 W 82nd Pl, Chicago, IL 60620 )

• ​Afterparty: Irish Nobleman Pub (1367 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60642). Food and street parking available. The nearest transit is #9/X9 Irving Park/Broadway and the Chicago Blue Line station.

​Transit

• ​Parking: Free parking in the lot by the end of the street by the entrance of the building.

• ​Transit: 79 (Ford City), 9/X9 (95th), 87 (Cicero) Buses

​

Come watch the White Sox with us! VU is getting a group together for the White Sox v. Padres game on September 21, 1:10PM.

If you are up for a great time, click on the button below and sign up!

Tickets are $20 including tax. Please note that the tickets are non-refundable and they will be released starting August 20, upon payment confirmation. Ticket sales end Friday August 28th.

​50 volunteers will be weeding as well as adding compost and mulch to various areas around the farm. These areas include areas targeted for new native plants, the outside fence line, community gardens, grow beds, and gravel paths.

• Date: Saturday, September 13

• Time: 10:00 a.m.

• Location: 400 N Albany Chicago, IL 60612

• Afterparty: EZ Inn (921 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622). 

Transit

• Parking: Parking area on Albany avenue to the west of the farm

• Transit: Kedzie (Green Line) Train, #94 California bus, and #66 Chicago bus

Special Instructions:

• Dress code: Please wear comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.

• Remember to bring sunscreen and a hat.

40 volunteers will create, count, pack, and sort cards that will go to those in need of encouragement across the globe!

• Date: Saturday, September 13

• Time: 10:00 a.m.

• Location: Richard M. Daley Branch - 733 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60612

• Afterparty: EZ Inn (921 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60622). 

Transit

• Parking: Parking lot south of the library

• Transit: Buses #66 Chicago and #94 California

40 volunteers will help clean up Osterman/Hollywood Beach.

• Date: Saturday, August 9

• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• Location: Kathy Osterman Beach (exact location coming soon)

• Afterparty: Randall's Pub (6341 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660). Outside food allowed. Nearest buses are the #22 Clark, #36 Broadway, and #151 Sheridan.

Transit

• Parking: Street parking and SP+ Parking garage

• Transit: Thorndale Red Line station, #151 Sheridan bus, #36 Broadway bus

20 volunteers will be participating in a gardening event at one of HOW's housing sites. Activities will include gardening, landscaping, and staining a fence.

• Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025

• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• Location: 1405 Pitner Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

• Afterparty: Randall's Pub (6341 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660). Outside food allowed. Nearest buses are the #22 Clark, #36 Broadway, and #151 Sheridan.

Transit

• Parking: Small on-site parking lot

• Transit: Davis Purple Line station, #250 Pace bus

15 volunteers will be assisting with oudoor food distribution.

• Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025

• Time: 8:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.

• Location: Care for Real (5840 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660)

• Afterparty: Randall's Pub (6341 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60660). Outside food allowed. Nearest buses are the #22 Clark, #36 Broadway, and #151 Sheridan.

Transit

• Parking: There is on-site parking. Street parking is available but limited.

• Transit: Thorndale Red Line station, #36 Broadway bus, #151 Sheridan bus

Special instructions

Volunteers will need tofill out a waiver no later than 3 days priorto the volunteer event, or else their spot will be released to be taken by a member of the public.

30 volunteers will be turning plastic bags into pillows and mats for the unhoused. During the event, groups will be cutting, weaving, crocheting, and winding the bags.

• Date: Saturday, July 12

• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Location: Chicago Bee Library (3647 S State St, Chicago, IL 60609)

• Afterparty: The Embassy Public House (1435 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607) Food and street parking are available. The nearest transit is #9/X9 Ashland bus and the #157 Streeterville/Taylor bus.

Transit

• Parking: Street parking and various lots

• Transit: Sox-35th Red Line station, #29 State bus

30 volunteers will be working with the Pullman Trash Trekkers program to help clean up the beautiful Pullman National Historical Park.

• Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025

• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Location: Pullman National Historical Park (610 E 111th Street, Chicago, IL 60628)

• Afterparty: The Embassy Public House (1435 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607) Food and street parking are available. The nearest transit is #9/X9 Ashland bus and the #157 Streeterville/Taylor bus.

Transit

• Parking: The park has ample parking available on site.

• Transit: #4 Cottage Grove bus, #111A Pullman Shuttle, #115 Pullman/115th bus, Metra Electric 111th St (Pullman) station

Special instructions

We will meet outside the National Park Service visitor center. 

30 volunteers will be doing garden cleaning, transplanting trees, and harvesting the gardens.

• Date: Saturday, July 12

• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• Location: Homan Rails Farm (910 S Homan Ave, Chicago, IL, 60624)

• Afterparty: The Embassy Public House (1435 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607) Food and street parking are available. The nearest transit is #9/X9 Ashland bus and the #157 Streeterville/Taylor bus.

Transit

• Parking: There is a large parking lot at Holy Family Ministries and the YMCA across from the school.

• Transit: Kedzie-Homan Blue Line station

Special instructions
The garden will be south of the parking lot. To get to the garden, you will walk to the southern middle part of the parking lot, then take a left up the incline.

​Come join fellow volunteers and community members for some unforgettable fun, an opportunity to win prizes, and a chance to connect with fellow volunteers! Having a blast is guaranteed.

​Bingo starts at 1:30 PM! Tickets are optional and do not guarantee seating. If the event is 'Sold Out', please still come join us! Tickets are for reminder purposes only.

​VU has reserved 44 seats across 4 tables. If you'd like to secure your seat through us, you must email us at contactus@volunteeringuntappedchi.org! After that, tables are first come, first serve or you can reserve on your own.

​Your first time hearing about us? Come along and learn about our organization with some food, drinks, and fun! The more, the merrier :)

​Suggested donation costs $10 per person. Feel free to contribute more or less but know that your hard-earned cash will go towards volunteer appreciation events, the cost of tools & supplies, coffee, donuts, and more. We appreciate it all!

​Questions? Send a note to Jill Duffy (contactus@volunteeringuntappedchi.com). If you'd like to learn more

60 volunteers will be remulching paths throughout Wooded Island (part of Jackson Park) and completing other grounds maintenance and cleanup tasks.

• Date: Saturday, June 14

• Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

• Location: Wooded Island (1686 E Hayes Dr, Chicago, IL 60649)

• Afterparty: Reggies Chicago (2105 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616)

Transit

• Parking: Garden of the Phoenix parking (1686 E Hayes Dr parking lot)

• Transit: Red Line 63rd station, then #63 bus eastward to 63rd & Stony Island

Special Instructions
Please go to the south entrance of Wooded Island, as otherwise it can be a long walk. We recommend sunscreen and a hat as well as clothes that you don't mind getting dirty!