Per the Kishwaukee United Way Volunteer Page:
Below are volunteer and donation opportunities as part of DeKalb County’s COVID-19 Response. Please contact the individual agencies with questions about their opportunities.
American Red Cross
The Red Cross has multiple different remote volunteer opportunities at this time. If you are interested in learning more about how you can support the Red Cross mission from home, please contact Emily Barrile
Contact:
Emily Barrile
(815) 501-4337
Bethany Healthcare
Scan and send cards and notes to seniors!
Send your creations here: BethanyAMC@Tutera.com.
Blood Donations
There is a critical need for blood donations at this time, particularly as blood drives have been canceled. Contact our local blood donation center to schedule a donation.
Versiti Blood Center of Illinois
2428 Sycamore Rd. DeKalb, IL 60115
(800) 786-4483
Donate Personal Protective Equipment
The DeKalb County Government and Health Department are seeking your donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Examples include surgical gloves and masks, N95 masks, gowns, face shields and goggles. They should all be in original packaging and we will still take them even if they say they are expired.
Please contact COVID19@dekalbcounty.org or 815-748- 2431 to arrange a donation. Please do NOT just drive to the health building or county building without making arrangements ahead of time.
Additionally, you may drop off this equipment at the DeKalb County Farm Bureau. (Donation box located inside front doors.)
DeKalb County Farm Bureau, 1350 W Prairie Dr, Sycamore,
Mon – Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Donate Meals to Healthcare Workers
Join hundreds across DeKalb County in helping provide meals to healthcare workers at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital.
Mask Sewing
In settings where official facemasks (N95 respirators and official surgical masks) are not available, health professionals might use homemade masks (e.g., bandana, scarf) for care of patients with COVID-19 as a last resort. Homemade masks are not considered PPE, since their capability to protect is unknown. Caution should be exercised when considering this option. Homemade masks should ideally be used in combination with a face shield that covers the entire front (that extends to the chin or below) and sides of the face. (Posted on CDC website.)
This is a request for individuals to form groups or work on their own to identify and support a healthcare facility (i.e. assisted living facility, nursing home, etc.) or essential business (i.e. grocery store, pharmacy, etc.) that needs masks to protect their employees.
To Support DeKalb County needs for protective equipment:
The safest, most protective materials for masks, if official manufactured mask is not available: Poly/cotton blend outside layer, jersey poly/cotton blend inside layer
Patterns:
Simple 2-layer mask pattern – https://www.deaconess.com/How-to-make-a-Face-Mask
2nd pattern for mask (Tutorial: https://www.craftpassion.com/face-mask-sewing-pattern/)
PATTERN MODIFICATION: Nurses have requested more material on side so that ties at ears are not too tight: Add ¾” to left and right sides (Youth/Women size), Add 1” more material to left and right sides (Men size).
Joann Fabrics (Free kits of materials & instructions for 5 facemasks per kit)
Additional safety enhancements:
Sewing narrow ‘sleeve’ at center top of mask will allow wire, pipe cleaner, twist tie, etc. to be slid into place for adjustable fit at top of nose
Leaving front layer (outside) of mask to be independent of inside layer of mask will allow a piece of coffee filter to be slid between the two layers, for additional barrier against germs
To sew masks specifically for Unity Hospice, contact Nicole Adams, Volunteer Coordinator, nadams@unityhospice.com , 815-561-8866
Home Sewing Project Aims To Help Hospitals & Health Care Workers
https://www.northernpublicradio.org/post/home-sewing-project-aims-help-hospitals-health-care-workers
Northern Illinois Food Bank
As the COVID-19 crisis has evolved, Northern Illinois Food Bank has responded. Volunteering is one of the ways you can help those neighbors who have been stretched beyond their limit and beyond because of this situation.
Contact:
Shannon Thompson, Manager of Volunteer Programs
(630) 443-6910
Solvehungertoday.org/coronavirus
Voluntary Action Center
Meals on Wheels Delivery
Cortland, DeKalb, Genoa, Kingston, Kirkland, Sandwich, and Sycamore
Greeting Cards
Have your kids make greeting cards to be delivered with senior meals!
Donations Needed
Nonperishable food items, gift bags of toiletries/sundries, flowers, and monetary gifts. These may be dropped off at their 1606 Bethany Rd Sycamore, IL 60178 from 8:30am-5:30pm, Monday through Friday. Donations should be left in the vestibule.
Additionally view their Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/32IRY6VM6ABZI#
Contact: Taylor Tallitsch, ttallitsch@vacdk.org (815) 758-3932
Virtual Volunteering Opportunities
E-Cards – Thank a Teacher!
https://www.tuw.org/thank-a-teacher
E-Cards – Thank a Health Care Worker!
https://www.secure.unitedwaymc.org/comm/SurveyNE.jsp?SurveyKeyHex=395D6F2D264B4F574B537E3E
Additional Volunteer Resources
https://online.unitedway.org/groups/volunteer-engagement/volunteer-engagement-during-covid-19
The following organizations do not currently have need for more volunteers at this time:
Barb Food Mart
DeKalb County Community Gardens