Volunteer Opportunities
Get Involved With SJC & Your Community
There are many opportunities to get involved both at SJC and in the community. Scroll down for one that’s right for you. New opportunities are added often so please check this page frequently.
We welcome your input on new volunteer and service opportunities. Contact Laura Jachim with your suggestions!
SJC Volunteer Opportunities
Food Pantry Delivering & Sorting
Each month we deliver the food that is collected in the church narthex to an area food pantry. We are always looking for new helpers to join our group, so if you are interested, please reach out to Laura Jachim at ljachim@stjohnofthecross.org.
Click here to donate to our Food Pantry Fund.
Team Cuisine
The SJC Outreach Ministry has a group we lovingly call Team Cuisine. We prepare meals (usually breakfast casseroles or lasagnas) which are provided to various outreach clients as needed. Contact Laura Jachim at ljachim@stjohnofthecross.org to express your interest or ask questions.
Make Greeting Cards
Faith Formation (FF) sends handmade cards to families who had a child Baptized at SJC, are unwell or have lost a loved one.
Suggested quantity: 10 cards.
Instructions: Fold construction paper/cardstock in half. Decorate w/ markers/crayons/stickers.
Add a blessing: Baptized By Faith,
You’re in Our Prayers, Praying for Your Recovery, Get Well.
Youth should only write their “first name” and add “St. John of the Cross.”
Drop off: FF office – corner of 51st & Caroline.
St John of the Cross Gardening Angels
We are looking for volunteers who have an hour a week to help us water/weed the gardens during the late spring and summer this year. There will be other volunteers to help you learn the ropes (or the hoses) to help keep our gardens growing!
Call or text Jeanne Fec 708 309 0768 or email jmfec1@gmail.com
Make Prayer Cloths
Do You Knit, Crochet, or Sew? Our Faith Formation program is in need of prayer cloths for use in the classroom. If you enjoy handwork, we would greatly appreciate your help! The prayer cloths should be made in a solid liturgical color — white, green or purple and be approximately 2 feet by 2 feet in size.
You may drop off your completed prayer cloths at the Parish Center or in the Faith Formation Office, located at the corner of 51st and Caroline.
Help Clean the Church
A team of 2-3 people meet on Fridays at 8:15am to do light dusting and cleaning in church for 30 minutes or so. You would be scheduled to clean once every five weeks. Call the Parish Center at (708) 246-4404 if you can help.
Community Volunteer Opportunities
St. Cletus Food Pantry
The St. Cletus food pantry opens its doors every Thursday to welcome residents of the Lyons Township Community who are struggling to make ends meat. They provide groceries, personal items and household goods. They welcome volunteers from 6th grade and older to assist with the food pantry operations each week. Please see below to learn more and sign up to volunteer.
Hinsdale Humane Society
There are a variety of ways for young people to provide Community Service and get involved at Hinsdale Humane Society to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. Read more about the youth volunteer opportunities and fill out the interest form to get started.
Info here, Or call: 630-323-5630.
Operation Support Our Troops (OSOT)
Our mission is to support the morale and well-being of American troops and their families — during deployment and after their return. We connect citizens with military personnel, sending comfort packages, letters, and notes of encouragement to those serving in harm’s way. Want to make a difference? Learn more about how to get involved and volunteer
Styrofoam Recycling Collection
Volunteer for Western Springs Styrofoam Recycling on the first Saturday of the month. (Except in July) Sign up for a 1.5 hr. slot or sign up for 2 different time slots and stay for 3 hrs. We will collect Styrofoam from cars and sort it for recycling. We provide all the necessary training. Bring your friends and have fun saving recyclable material from a landfill! Sign up here.
Info: dnrusk@gmail.com.
Help Sort, Pack, and Warehouse Medical Supplies
Please join us in saving lives by preparing medical supplies for shipment to hospitals and clinics in need around the world. Activities may include organizing warehouse inventory, sorting medical supplies, supporting administrative efforts, pulling for and loading containers, or other projects to be accomplished for the day. This will be a fun, engaging, and hands-on experience. Sign up here.
Fight2Feed Food Rescue Support
View the form here!
Become a Tutor
Serve adult learners in need of support 1-3 hours per week. Tutors must be 18 years of age or older. High School diploma or GED required.
Learn more at https://www.morton.edu/project-care
Youth Volunteer Opportunities at Hinsdale Humane Society
There are a variety of ways for young people to provide Community Service and get involved at Hinsdale Humane Society to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. Read more about the youth volunteer opportunities and fill out the interest form to get started.
Info here. Or call: 630-323-5630. TEENS/SERVICE HOURS WELCOME!
St. Cletus Food Pantry
Community Assisted Rides (CARS)
Want to Learn More About Volunteering?
questions that may arise.