Courtesy Deborah Matthews

The LeaderShop, a youth service and leadership training agency that serves youth in Lyons and southern Proviso Townships, invites community members, organizations, businesses and supporters to come together to serve the community through acts of kindness.

Saturday, April 27, 9am – Noon, with Lunch and Refreshments until 2pm afterwards back at the The LeaderShop office

Last year over 100 volunteers of all ages throughout La Grange, Summit, Justice, Brookfield and Hodgkins gardened, put together sack lunches, painted park benches, potted plants for residents at a local home and many other tasks.

This year, The LeaderShop will again have many sites ready to receive small or large groups of volunteers. We wish to make a direct impact working with local organizations right in the community such as The Grove of La Grange Park, Brookfield’s Project N.I.C.E and many other local non-profits. This year we will really be focusing on the experience of giving back; we will be on-site at different locations working directly with clients and organizations not only to do kind deeds but also to enhance the relationships and experiences of all involved.

This year’s Day of Service coincides with other national volunteering observances: National Volunteer Week (4/21-27/13) which began in 1990 with Points of Light and merged with Hands On Network; Earth Day (4/22/13), and Global Youth Service Days (4/26-28/13) which began in the USA in 1988 with Youth Service America and is observed in many countries.

To participate in this year’s Day of Service, gather a group of family, friends or co-workers, check in at The LeaderShop office at 9am, join a group, and head off together volunteer. All ages are welcome. Everyone’s volunteer hours will contribute to The LeaderShop’s goal of reaching 35,000 service hours in our 35th year of service. Resource Development Director Alysa Lewandowski, a strong proponent of this event says, “Our annual Day of Service highlights the dedication and generosity of all of our wonderfully unselfish volunteers, and encourages others to join in the experience. During last year’s Day of Service, youth and adults committed their Saturday mornings to give back in such beneficial ways. The extent of these volunteers’ continued generosity is inspiring and encouraging!”

For more information and to let The LeaderShop know you will be part of the Day of Service, contact Alysa at AlysaL@theleadershop.org or at 708-579-5898