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While we haven’t been able to engage volunteers in a way we normally would, we want to share some
of the ways our volunteers have stayed involved over the last six months.
We need our volunteers and they are important to Avenues.
As we begin to navigate a new normal, we will be reaching out with new opportunities. Please watch for these opportunities as Illinois and Avenues move forward with the reopening process.
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COVID-19 and Community Support
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A special shout out to all of those who donated sanitizing supplies and PPE equipment during these unprecedented times. Avenues supporters provided paper goods, cleaning supplies and hand sewn masks. We are grateful for the support of the Avenues Board and friends for all of their help as health and safety of the clients and staff remains a top priority.
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Long-time Board Member Peg O'Herron and friend Anna Hoffman hand sewed over 80 masks for Avenues employees.
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Two Eagles Distillery Donates Hand Sanitizer
Avenues received bottles of hand sanitizer from
Two Eagles Distillery
in Mount Prospect. Thank you to Matt, Jesse and Aaron for keeping Avenues residents and staff safe and healthy.
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First United Methodist Church in Park Ridge sent beautiful Easter cards to Avenues residents. The cards brought smiles to the residents as they celebrated Easter during the “Stay-at-Home” order.
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Staying Active Through Quarantine
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Throughout the quarantine, clients were able to keep active and engaged with the help from
PomSquad Fitness.
Long-term Board Member Jolene Wise introduced PomSquad to Avenues. Together, they organized chair yoga and dance classes for clients on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Co-Creator of PomSquad Fitness Jena Ertel, and Miami-based Yogi Laura Gordon kept Avenues clients active through chair yoga and dance.
Clients participated in a mini concert series with PomSquad instructor, Teaira. Friends of Avenues, Anne and Mark Burnell, also put on several mini concerts for the clients.
Jolene held bingo sessions on Sundays for the clients. She arranged for each Avenues residence to have bingo cards, card markers and prizes.
Thank you to all of these wonderful volunteers for keeping Avenues clients' spirits high.
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Avenues Heroes Sign Project
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The Avenues Heroes Sign Project was a great way for Avenues friends to show their encouragement throughout the “Stay-at-Home” order. Volunteers helped deliver signs to people’s front lawns. The cost of printing these signs was covered by a donation from Susan Matejka and Mike Bruni of HPS Chicago.
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Fall/Winter Volunteer Activities
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Suburban Partnership Board Parties
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Tuesday Night Friends were visited by Santa, made crafts and had a fun night. For nearly 25 years, volunteers Lynne Hjelmberg and Kathy Seiwert, along with the help of local high school students, have organized monthly meetings for Avenues residents. Thank you for planning such a great night!
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Residents at Cambridge House in Des Plaines were visited by carolers from Junior Girl Scout troop 45223 of Des Plaines. Thank you to the troop leaders for including Avenues as one
of their stops!
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Long-time friend and Barnaby's Restaurant Owner Dale Kendrick Makes a Difference
more than 25 years
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In 1986, the Des Plaines river had an incredible flood. When
Barnaby's Des Plaines
owner Dale Kendrick heard about the flood, he came to Avenues and explained he wanted to hold a fundraiser through his restaurant. It brought in a huge crowd, and lots of money was raised. Dale continued to hold fundraisers for Avenues, and even invited the clients and their families to come to Barnaby’s for their own pizza parties.
For more than 25+ years, Dale has donated over $25,000 in pizza to the Avenues Holiday Parties. He has also employed six Avenues clients throughout the years, and treated them to Chicago Cubs games.
Dale made a generous gift to support the opening of a new home in Des Plaines that now serves five clients. In 2013, The Kendrick house was named in Dale's honor. In 2015, Dale was the recipient of the Jane and Albert Wohler’s Visionary Award.
Dale continues to be a major sponsor of the Love Affair and the Avenues Gorman Classic. We are appreciative of Dale's generous support and love for Avenues and the clients.
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Share your talents and skills with Avenues!
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For the safety of the clients, staff and community, volunteers will be limited to virtual sessions or social distancing practices when applicable.
If you or your organization would like to donate your time to Avenues, please contact
Phyllicia Davis.
If you have a talent you would like to share with the clients of Avenues such as; music, dance, crafts, gardening, and more, please reach out to
Phyllicia Davis
at
pdavis@avenuestoindependence.org. We value our volunteers and their time, and creativity. We hope to see everyone soon with as we continue to reopen.
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Avenues Thrift Shoppe Reopens June 15
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The Avenues Thrift Shoppe is
reopening on Monday, June 15
with normal hours:
Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Only six customers will be allowed in the store at all times.
*Please note dressing rooms will not be available
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Store-front curbside pickup times are Wednesday - Saturday, Noon - 4 p.m.
*Please note there are no deliveries, refunds, or exchanges.
DONATIONS
are accepted by
APPOINTMENT ONLY
. Please call the store
Monday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. to make your drop off appointment.
Appointments will be made Wednesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
*Volunteer Opportunity*
The Thrift Shoppe is looking for cashiers!
Four-hour shifts are
available for anyone comfortable working inside the store
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Like and follow us on social media
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Avenues to Independence | 515 Busse Highway
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