Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Application
If you are interested in volunteering with Little Friends, please complete a Volunteer Application and send it to:

Little Friends, Inc., Special Events and Volunteer Manager, 140 N. Wright Street Naperville, IL 60540. Applications may also be faxed to (630) 355-3176.

To download an application, please click here.

Special Events

Little Friends hosts several fundraising events throughout the year. The success of each of these event rely heavily on the involvement of our dedicated volunteers.

Bids for Kids Benefit Auction

Held each March, the Bids for Kids Benefit Auction is the agency's largest undertaking and most successful fundraiser. Volunteers may choose from a wide variety of responsibilities including serving on an auction planning committee, soliciting donations, making follow-up calls, helping with set-up the day of the event or volunteering during the event. Preparation for the Auction begins in October and continues through March.

Little Friends Golf Classic

The Little Friends Golf Classic debuted in 2003, and quickly won the hearts of many who support Little Friends. A committee of volunteers plan and prepare for the event. Additional volunteers are needed to help with registration, contests and more on the day of the Classic.

Phonathon
Held in November each year, this project serves to recognize those who have supported Little Friends throughout the year. Volunteers make phone calls to thank donors for their past support, and ask for their continued help through a financial pledge.

Giving Trees
Each holiday season, Little Friends hosts a Giving Tree program to request gifts for children and adults served by the agency who are financially in need. Men and women from BP Volunteers pick up, sort and deliver all of the gifts. Others may become involved by hosting a Giving Tree at their store or business, "adopting" a family by providing gifts or a special meal, or choosing a tag from a Giving Tree and fulfilling that gift request.

Friends of Little Friends Parade
Held each year as part of the Hometown Holidays celebration in downtown Naperville, this joyful holiday event features a spectacular collaboration of lighted and musical floats and Santa’s big arrival in preparation for the busy holiday season.

Little Friends families and volunteers represent the agency by riding on the Little Friends float in the annual parade. Volunteers are also needed to serve as parade helpers, reindeer helpers, costume character assistants and photographers. 

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Serendipity Resale Shop
More than 40 men and women volunteer on a regular basis at Serendipity, a resale shop operated for the benefit of Little Friends. Located in downtown Naperville, the shop is run entirely by volunteers, from carrying in donated merchandise to sorting, pricing, creating displays and assisting customers.

ColorBurst Sales
Retired and/or aspiring sales people alike are invited to put their talents to use by soliciting jobs for ColorBurst Screenprinting, a textile screenprinting operation run by the vocational division of Little Friends. For more information on ColorBurst, click on the link at the top left side of this page.

Sewing Volunteers for Inklude Studio
Inklude Studio, which specializes in producing hand-made items crafted from textiles designed and hand-printed by clients of Little Friends, is in need of sewing volunteers. Volunteers will have the opportunity to assist in the development of the studio’s sewing department from the ground up. Volunteers will help to develop product samples and sew finished pieces for retail. These items will include handbags, messenger bags, wallets, pillows, stuffed toys, soft sculpture, shoes and more. To volunteer, please contact April Pappenfuss at (630) 929-2701.

Group Opportunities
Scout troops, church youth groups, school clubs and community-based service clubs work with Little Friends on various projects throughout the year.

Contact Information
For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact Special Events and Volunteer Manager Cally Edwards at (630) 281-1882 or via e-mail at credwards@lilfriends.com.