Join us in service at one of Chicago Cares' Annual Events!

Our two annual events, the Chicago Cares' Serve-a-thon and our Celebration of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., engage a total 10,000 volunteers to make a positive impact in communities all around Chicago. These events are consistently successful in transforming communities and raising funds for Chicago Cares because of volunteers like you coming together to help out.

Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon

In 2009, Serve-a-thon volunteers (more than 6,000 strong) improved learning environments for 30,000 Chicago students and raised critical funding to help sustain Chicago Cares' many ongoing programs. Save the date: the 17th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon is Saturday, June 12, 2010. Register today! [download the event fact sheet]

What is Serve-a-thon?

Our Serve-a-thon takes place the second Saturday every June, and is the largest fundraiser for Chicago Cares. We encourage teams of volunteers to come together and participate in a day of service benefiting Chicago Public Schools while raising donations to support Chicago Cares' work in communities across Chicago all year long. Volunteers meet at our Serve-a-thon Plaza for check-in and a morning rally before boarding event buses to improve more than 30 Chicago schools.

Who is involved in Serve-a-thon?

Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Cares team up to rehabilitate schools all across Chicago. Teams of volunteers also join in to find creative ways to fundraise in the weeks leading up to the event.

What needs does Serve-a-thon address?

Studies have shown that a child's educational environment affects their learning potential. Serve-a-thon volunteers work exclusively in public schools to improve the state of children's education by painting classrooms, building benches, creating mosaics, organizing libraries, painting custom murals. We think all of Chicago's children deserve a positive environment in which to learn and grow.

Celebration of Service

in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In 2010, more than 3,300 volunteers gathered to serve more than 40 schools and agencies across the city. Together, we raised important funds for the meaningful programs Chicago Cares leads every month, all year long. Save the date: the 2011 Celebration of Service is January 15, 2011.

What is Celebration of Service?

Every year thousands of volunteers gather on the Saturday before Dr. Martin Luther King Day to celebrate service and volunteerism with Chicago Cares. Volunteers meet for an inspirational opening ceremony to reflect on Dr. King's teachings and message of service to others. In 2010, we gathered in Union Station's great hall to listen to key-note speaker and Emmy award winning journalist, Ed Gordon, a choral performance, and messages from the mayor and governor. Volunteers then travel by event buses to locations across the city to give a day in service to the community.

Who is involved in Celebration of Service?

Volunteers include hundreds of Chicago Public School students, corporate volunteer teams of all sizes, community groups, alumni groups and individuals who want to make a difference through service.

What needs does Celebration of Service address?

Volunteer in issue areas such as children's education, seniors, adults with disabilities, and community building through facilities rehabilitation. We throw birthday parties for Dr. King for adult's with disabilities, we encourage multicultural awareness by taking children on a journey across the globe, and we increase intergenerational learning by creating hope quilts after listening to senior's life stories.

Questions about Celebration of Service? E-mail us at cos@chicagocares.org.