Ways to Help Blue Cap Beyond Writing a Check

People often ask how they can help a nonprofit when they cannot give much money, or when they would rather give something else. Blue Cap, a 501(c)(3) in Blue Island supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1967, has several answers. Each one has a named person to call, so you can go from reading to doing in one phone call.

Tuesday pantry volunteering

Blue Cap runs a food pantry on Tuesdays, and volunteers are welcome from 9am to 2pm. A volunteer shift is a clear, defined way to help: you arrive, you are given a job, and you can see what you have done by the time you leave. Google reviewers describe the pantry as serving Blue Island, Robbins and the surrounding communities, and several single out the volunteers and staff who make Tuesdays run.

If a weekday morning or afternoon is open for you, call Marge Pyzik, Director of Adult Services, at extension 102 on the main line, (708) 389-6578. Ask about the best time to come in and what to wear and bring.

Lend a Hand days for companies

Blue Cap offers a Lend a Hand, or Volunteer Day, program for companies. The staff volunteer while being paid, so a company can send a group without asking anyone to give up a day off. Teams often come away with something shared to talk about, which is a good reason to consider it for an office that wants more than a retreat or a happy hour.

To set one up, contact the Development Office at (708) 389-8137, extension 801, and ask for Joseph Sanchez, Development Coordinator. Jackie Murphy, Development Administrative Assistant, is at extension 333.

Share a Skill

Blue Cap invites people to teach a class through its Share a Skill opportunity. Think about what you know well enough to explain to a room. Plenty of people discount their everyday expertise, but a patient demonstration of a craft, a trade, a hobby or a practical routine is exactly the kind of thing that can be offered.

Ideas that families and volunteers sometimes consider before they call:

• A skill you use every week at work or at home, which you could explain step by step.
• A hobby with a finished product, since seeing the result is satisfying for everyone in the room.
• A topic you would be glad to repeat, so a class can become a regular visit and not a one-time appearance.
• A short outline of what you would cover and how long you would need, to share when you call.
• Any materials you can bring yourself, which makes it easier for staff to say yes.

Share a Skill is coordinated through Marge Pyzik at extension 102.

Family & Friends Association

The Family & Friends Association began in the 1970s as the Parent Association. Today it describes itself as a large group of parents, siblings, extended families and friends. Money raised goes to a restricted Activity Fund. For a relative of someone Blue Cap supports, joining is a way to meet other families. For a friend of the community, it is a way to be part of something with real history. Contact Ellen Boyd at (708) 389-6578, extension 120.

Events, items and bricks

Blue Cap also needs hands at its annual events, which include Tag Days, the Golf Outing, the Auction and the Rose Walk. At Tag Days, volunteers collect donations at intersections and storefronts and hand out candy and information. If you would rather organize something yourself, Blue Cap welcomes people who run their own event to benefit the organization. Joseph Sanchez is the person to call.

Items can help too. If you have clothes or furniture to donate, call Jill Hart, Executive Director, at (708) 389-6578, extension 108, before you drive over. Items go to the Development Department at the Instructional Center, 1962 Broadway.

For something lasting, consider a brick in the Celebration Garden. Bricks permanently commemorate weddings, anniversaries, military service, graduations, births, birthdays, other milestones, family, or the loss of a loved one. The Donate page on the Blue Cap site has a printable order form. Memorial and honorary donations are also an option, and the family of the person honored is notified.

You do not have to pick the perfect option. Start with the one that fits the time you have this month, and let it grow if it feels right. For general questions, call the main office at (708) 389-6578, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, or write to info@blue-cap.org. The Get involved page on the Blue Cap site lists every opportunity described here, and the Development Office at (708) 389-8137, extension 801, can point you to the right person.