Kevin Cheng
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Project Director Applications
Project Director applications are now open! VIP is looking for its next generation of leaders, so continue forth in your service journey with VIP and apply to serve as a Project Director.
Our Board of Directors is made up of dedicated, passionate individuals who are committed to serving the Champaign-Urbana community by planning monthly events and building relationships with local partners. Regardless of membership status with VIP, all are welcome to apply. In fact, we encourage anyone who is interested in any project(s) and wishing to cultivate leadership and community engagement skills to apply!
If you have any questions about applying, please reach out to volunteerilliniprojects@gmail.com or gswam2@illinois.edu.
Applications are due Friday, April 19th by 11:59pm. Interviews will take place at the Zoom the following Sunday, April 21st between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Individuals will be prompted to select an interview slot that works for them.
Any applications submitted past the April 19th deadline will not be considered.
Sunshine Jubilee
Every year, Volunteer Illini Projects (VIP) hosts an annual celebration of service––Sunshine Jubilee–– with catered food, lively conversation, awards, music, games, and festivities galore. In addition to serving as a celebration of service, it also serves as a way of honoring our relationships with community partners and volunteers––all of whom make our work possible. This year, Sunshine Jubilee will be taking place on Saturday, April 27, 2024 between 5-8p in the Y (1001 S Wright St, Champaign, IL 61820).
Encouraged dress code is business casual, and all VIP members––regardless of status––are invited. We look forward to seeing you there!
Seniors! Join our alumni database!
Hi seniors, graduate students, and those who may have graduated already. Please complete this form to be input into the VIP alumni database to receive contact from our organization and the university. This alumni database is also shared with the Division of Student Affairs.
We want to see the heights our volunteers reach, so please help us stay in contact with you!
Complete this ONLY if you have graduated from the University of Illinois already graduated in December 2023 OR are graduating May 2024.
This form will be open until May 15th, but fill it out ASAP please!
Letter Writing to Incarcerated Individuals
Monday, April 15th
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location TBD
Come to the letter-writing event to start communication or continue communication with an incarcerated individual! This is a way to build a unique connection. We will be writing letters to our pen pals or starting introduction letters to send to new pen pals! If you have received an email from Mia, you have received a response back!
Points: 1 point
Assembling Goody Bags for Local Animal Shelters
Tuesday, April 16th
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Illini Union Basement
Join Animal Allies as we assemble goody bags for the local Champaign Urbana animal shelters! Within each goody bag will be dog toys, tennis balls, dog treats, and notes informing these shelters about VIP and Animal Allies to create connections for the upcoming school year. We will be creating these goody bags in an assembly line sort of way.
Points: 1 point
Illinois Bone Marrow Registry Mega Drive
Monday April 15th to Friday April 19th
12:00 - 5:00 PM
Main Quad (Facing Illini Union)
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Gift of Life is hosting our first ever mega drive event on campus. This organization works with Gift of Life is a national non-profit organization that focuses on growing the bone marrow donor registry as much as possible in order the chances of finding a match are maximized.
They will be tabling for 5 days on the Main Quad from 12pm-5pm, with the hopes to register as many new donors from our campus community as possible. The more people they recruit, the higher chance these patients have at receiving their transplants.
Please sign up for a shift and help table the drive via the spreadsheet (1 hour = 1 point) and/or please swab to join the Bone Marrow Registry (swab per person = 2 points)
For the sign up form please label that you are a VIP member next to name and phone number
Campus Trash Pickup with iSEE
Tuesday, April 16th
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Outside of Everitt Lab
On April 16th, help beautify campus and properly dispose of trash and recyclables! This is a great volunteer opportunity — bring your friends and help clean up. We will meet at 3:30 outside Everitt Lab, disperse for picking up trash, then reconvene at Everitt. Trash bags, grabbers, and gloves will be provided for the trash pickup but please make sure to wear clothes you don't mind possibly getting dirty.
Points: 1 point
Clothing Donation Drive to Salt&Light
Social Empowerment x Environmental
Wednesday, April 17th
11:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Illini Union
Do you have any clothes you no longer need? Come to the Illini Union to donate them! We will have a table set to accept clothing donations in any condition as they can be accepted or recycled by Salt&Light (https://saltandlightministry.org/).
Points: 1 point for each shift being at the table, 1 point for each bag of clothing donated
Please sign up using the SignUpGenius link for a shift at the donation
Animal Allies Informational Tabeling + Doggy Goody Bag Handouts
Thursday, April 18th
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Main Quad
Join us out on the quad as we hand out flyers promoting volunteer opportunities at the local animal shelters and Animal Allies. Additionally, we will be handing out some of the doggy goody bags that we assembled earlier in the week! Hopefully the weather will be great!
Points: 1 point per hour spent tabeling
VIP ARC Social
Thursday, April 18th
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
ARC
Join us at the ARC Thursday, April 18th, at 4 pm for badminton and basketball! We will be meeting at Gym 3 where teams will be made and split up. If you have any questions regarding the social please reach out to mtiran2@illinois.edu. Hope to see you there!
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Points: 1 social point
VIP at Illini Lights Out
Friday, April 19th
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Foreign Language Building Lobby
Come join us in conserving energy! The Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) run the Illini Lights Out events in which volunteer groups (VIP in this case) can conserve energy through turning off the lights to the building they are assigned to. The amount of bulbs/fixtures of light will be recorded and reported back to iSEE.
Please meet at the Foreign Languages Building Lobby at 5:30 and we will return to the FLB around 6:30 PM.
Points: 1 point
Relay for Life Set Up
Saturday, April 20th
12 PM - 3 PM and 9 PM - 11 PM
UIUC Main Quad
Relay for Life will be hosted by the American Cancer Society, the purpose of the event will be be supporting ACS vision to end cancer through multiple angles research, advocacy, and education. Community members taking turns walking around a track, the event will celebrate local cancer survivors and caregivers. Volunteers will help set up for and cleaning up the event and are welcomed to participate in the luminaria ceremony.
Points: 1 point per shift
Senior Citizens x Environmental
Earth Day Flower Planting with Clark Lindsey
Monday, April 22nd
10 AM - 12 PM
Clark Lindsey (meeting outside Illini Union entrance facing green street)
Come celebrate Earth day with some awesome senior citizens at Clark Lindsey by helping fill their windowsills with potted flowers! Get ready to get your hands dirty, have memorable conversation, and make connections. We will be meeting outside the Union at 10am. All supplies provided. Sara will be reaching out via email with further information regarding Clark Lindsey’s policies and dress code. Contact Sara at 7082624570 with any questions or concerns.
Points: 1 point
Encouragement Notes
Wednesday, April 24th
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location TBD
We will create encouragement notes with cute drawings attached to send to the Juvenile Detention Center. Some kids never receive letters while in custody, so this is a great opportunity for us to put a smile on a kid's face.
Points: 1 point
CCHS IL Race Weekend
April 25-27
Time: TBD
Location will be specified based on the volunteering position chosen through the link (will be in CU area)
Champaign County Humane Society will be participating in Christie Clinic Illinois Race Weekend which is a huge fundraising race event held for various organizations in the CU area from April 25-27. As a volunteer, you will be tasked with cheering on the runners as they pass by and helping with traffic control on roads and intersections so that runners are not harmed. If you are interested in participating, please sign-up here: https://illinoismarathon.com/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-sign-up/ and register with Champaign County Humane Society under the question “Charity Running Partner.”
If you have any questions or concerns, contact: vip.animalallies.uiuc@gmail.com
Points: 1 Point Per Hour Volunteered, Please Send Selfie at Event as Proof of Volunteering
Mutt Strut
Sunday, May 5th
2pm - 7pm
Friendship Grove at Crystal Lake Park (1505 N. Broadway Urbana, IL 61801)
Join Animal Allies and Champaign County Humane Society as they prepare for and run one of their biggest events of the year called Mutt Strut. Mutt Strut is an event held for the dog and dog owners of CU in Crytal Lake Park where there are activities held for the dogs and owners to participate in such as a photobooth, dog art, and more. The event will be on Sunday, May 5th, and we will have two shifts running: setup from 2pm to 4pm, and event work from 4pm to 7pm. A description of each role can be found in the sign-up sheets document. Although this event will be held past VIP’s school year, it will be a great way to destress and have some fun!
If you have any questions or concerns, contact: vip.animalallies.uiuc@gmail.com
Ongoing Events
Wesley Food Pantry
Wesley Food Pantry Distribution
Ongoing
Wesley Food Pantry
The Wesley Food Pantry provides food distributions in the Champaign-Urbana area to those in need. They are looking for volunteers to help with distribution. There are multiple days, times, and locations, so please read all the directions on the sign-up genius before entering your name in!
Points: 3 points per time slot attended
Pen Pal Interest Form
Ongoing
This program is a way to become pen pals with an incarcerated individual. You communicate back and forth with them through letters to build a unique and impactful relationship. Fill out the form below if you're interested! If you've been in the program before, please still complete the form.
Points: 1 point when you sign up and complete the contract
VIP + Champaign Unit 4 School District Tutoring
Tutor with VIP and Unit 4 Schools! We are looking for volunteers to tutor at a school once a week. This project is for those who want a consistent and flexible volunteer opportunity. No experience required, just an ethusiatic attitude and a commitment to help others!
Please fill out this Google Form if you are interested (note: this form is not binding). You will also receive 1 point for filling out the form! We hope to have highly interested students participate!
Points: 1 point
Project READ!
Become a tutor with VIP and Project READ! Project READ volunteers provide free basic literacy, basic math, and ESL tutoring to adult learners. This project is for those who want a consistent volunteer opportunity and to develop a one-on-one connection with their learner! No prior experience is required, just an enthusiastic attitude and commitment to helping others.
Fill out the Google Form if you want to learn more and receive announcements and updates. We hope to have highly interested students join!
Points: 1 Point
Environmental x Social Empowerment Collaboration
Recycle Disposable Masks (N95s, KN95s, Surgical) on Campus
UIUC Facilities and Services allow volunteers to recycle disposable masks at several locations around campus such as the Union, University Residence Halls, and Turner Hall. Here is a link to find out more about recycling masks and locations of drop off boxes: https://fs.illinois.edu/services/waste-management-and-recycling.
Points: 1 point for every 5 masks (Limit 10 points)
Please email vip.environmental@gmail.comwith a picture of your masks and the number of masks that will be recycled in order to receive points.
Bobcat Bookclub Reading Help at Carrie Busey Elementary
Carrie Busey Elementary School (304 Prairie Rose Ln, Savoy, IL 61874)
Volunteer at Carrie Busey Elementary as a classroom aid as part of the Bobcat Bookclub for the Spring 2024 semester! This is an opportunity to work with students one-on-one and and help them practice their reading. Dates and times are listed on the linked SignUp Genius. No experience is necessary, just a passion of working with kids and helping others.
Please fill out a VolunteerApplication and send it to ottersh@u4sd.org. Once your application is processed, you are all set to volunteer.
Transportation can be provided!
Please email vip.tutoring@gmail.com in order to receive points or if you have any questions/concerns.
Points: 2 points per 1 hour shift
Senior Citizens x Health Needs
VIP x Conversations to Remember
Ongoing
Online
Conversations to Remember is an virtual based organization that connects college students with senior citizens to combat the epidemic of loneliness. Volunteers will have the chance to be communicate with senior citizens from assisted living communities, memory care units, nursing homes, long-term care communities, or other senior living residences. With the ultimate goal of this opportunity to create a bridge between seniors and youths.
Points: 1 point per session
Info Virtual Visits: https://conversationstoremember.org/c2r-virtual-visits/
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NEW* VIP & Urbana Adult Education Volunteer Form
Recurring
Urbana Adult Education Center: 1106 S Vine St, Urbana, IL 61801
Fill out this interest form if you would like to volunteer at the Urbana Adult Education Center tutoring students in either Reading Comprehension and/or Math (Algebra and Geometry). After filling out this form you will be sent an email to receive a background check for further placements!
Ideally we are looking for volunteers to come habitually for times ranging between 30mins-2hours, during the times listed on the form. You will receive 1 point for filling out this form, and 1-3 points every time you're physically volunteering at the site.
More information (like transportation/point verification/etc) will be sent subsequent to us receiving your background information.
Points: 1 point for the interest form & up to 3 points on site
Recurring Events
Phoenix Daytime Drop-In Center
Tuesday-Friday
Ongoing until end of the year
1 or 2 hour shifts between 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM
70 E Washington St, Champaign, IL 61820
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Phoenix Daytime Drop-in Center serves in Champaign by offering a safe, welcoming environment where the homes population has access to showers, computer labs, games, and companionship. Volunteers have the option to choose from three different positions: greeters who greet people at the front desk, floor rovers who hang out, play games, and chat with people and lastly cleaners. Grab some friends and help brighten up somebody's day!
Points: 2 points per shift
Volunteer Tutoring (Reading Comprehension, Algebra, & Geometry), Interest Form!
Recurring, once a week
1106 S. Vine St. Urbana, IL 61801
We are looking for volunteers who can help students at the Urbana Adult Education Center with Reading Comprehension and Math (Algebra and Geometry). We would gladly take volunteers who can tutor students once a week. We would be thrilled if someone could tutor more than once a week. Fill out this interest form, and you will be notified sometime next week about further placements!
Tutoring during the times of:
8:30 am - 11:15 am (M-Th),
1:30 pm - 4:15 pm (M-Th),
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Tues & Thur. only).
Points: 1 point for the interest form, up to 3 on site
Grab and Go Stocking
Every Friday
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
1203 W Green St., Urbana
Wesley Food Pantry has set up several Grab and Go stations around campus where students can grab snacks throughout the day. They need help stocking 5 stations, including La Casa, Native American House, Asian American Center, Bruce Nesbitt African American Center, and the Diversity & Social Justice Education Office. We will meet at the entrance of Wesley Food Pantry. Sign up in the link below!
Points: 1 Point
Jubilee Cafe CUCC Volunteering
Jubilee Cafe CUCC Volunteering
Every Monday
Time slots from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
805 S Sixth St. Champaign
People in need of food often don't get the opportunity to go out to eat at a restaurant. This weekly meal helps people in our community who are in need of food while also making them feel respected and valued by creating a restaurant-like atmosphere. It also reduces food waste by using the bread that Panera gives to Jubilee Cafe at the end of the day. Volunteers have the opportunity to be a server, host, greeter, or help set up and clean up.
Points: 2 points per time slot attended
Send a picture of you during volunteering to vip.hunger.homeless@gmail.comin order to receive points!
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Coffee Conversations with ELL Students
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesday Weekly
9:15 - 9:45 am
302 W Church St, Champaign, IL 61820
Are you passionate about fostering community connections and helping others succeed in their English language journey? Join us in an exciting volunteer opportunity at First Presbyterian Church where we are creating a supportive environment for English Language Learners to practice their conversational English skills. As a volunteer, you will be engaging in one-on-one or small group conversations with ELL students and provide support for them to build confidence in spoken English. Coffee Conversations will be taking place every week on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 9:15-9:45am at the First Presbyterian Church in Champaign. We hope to see you there!
Points: 1 Point
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English Corner Conversation Groups
Dates will be determined by your availability
Times will be determined by your availability
Location: TBA
We will be partnering with The English Corner UIUC to host conversation groups for international students to practice their english. The conversation groups are typically once a week for the whole semester. We will release sign ups to members once conversation groups are organized. Up to 10 members will sign up per conversation group.
Points: 2 Points