Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo
Toddlers, tourists and Trixies, oh my! Everyone is a fan of this free oasis in the city. Now you can give back by becoming a zoo volunteer. South Pond volunteers teach visitors about the wildlife, ecology and nature of the zoo’s South Pond by running hands-on activity stations. You can also help out at the Farm in the Zoo and teach visitors about cows, pigs and other livestock. South Pond training takes place in April; Farm in the Zoo training is in May and June. For more information e-mail Ellen Izenson at volunteer@lpzoo.com or call 312-742-2124.

Chicago Cares Live the Dream
Perfect for busy do-gooders, Chicago Cares offers more than 200 volunteer opportunities every month—sans longterm commitments—as well as larger service days throughout the year. Take part in its first Chicago Cares Live the Dream event on April 4, which commemorates the Rev. Martin Luther King’s work on the 40th anniversary of his death. Learn from seniors who will reflect on King and the civil rights movement, or help create art inspired by King to be displayed in West Side schools. Parents can even enroll their kids so that the next generation keeps the dream alive. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old. Register for this event at chicagocares.org or by calling 312-780-0800, ext 164.

Lakeview Pantry
Surviving on ramen and Slim Jims during college is hard enough—now imagine feeling truly hungry. The Lakeview Pantry has provided food, clothing, household items and home delivery to people in need since 1970. Get involved by helping out with its Green Bag Drive, beginning April 19. For four weekends, volunteers will help stock the pantry for distribution. Volunteers pass out donation bags around the Lakeview neighborhood, collect the filled bags and return them to the pantry. The green element comes in to play when you use alternative transportation and save energy. To participate contact Erin Stephens at 773-517-4813 or erin@lakeviewpantry.org.

Shamrock Shuffle
In your St. Paddy’s Day post–green-beer-fog, do some good for humanity and your liver. Each year around St. Patrick’s Day, 30,000 runners take to the streets of the Loop for the Shamrock Shuffle. Their 8K efforts benefit numerous charities, including the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Imerman Angels, PAWS Chicago, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization and the American Cancer Society. You can help out by volunteering for the Shuffle Expo March 28 and 29 at Navy Pier. Pick a day and work one of three shifts, distributing packets or goody bags to participants. Sign up at Shamrockshuffle.com.