One EMOJI!

TO REGISTER EMAIL: volunteers@peoriaparks.org

Describe volunteering using

The Power of Emotions!

Whether you’re happy, excited, in love, or just laughing, there’s always a little Emoji to help you emphasize that emotion. And when you really think about it, Emojis are used more often than words most of the time.

Do you have a favorite Emoji you use when telling someone you’re going to volunteer?

2018 Edition 3

Volunteers Brighten our Lives!

Restoration Work DaysHere’s where the real work happens! Join us as we meet-up at one of our local naturalareas and we’ll put everything we know to work in making our natural areas as healthy aswe can. We’ll be dealing with exotic/invasive species removal and lots of weeding, so bring gloves, sturdy shoes, and water. We’ll have all the tools necessary. It’s some of the most important ecologi-cal work we can do, and we need your help to make it happen. These experiences are for adults and teens over 14 years of age.

For more information, contact Forest Park Nature Center at 686-3360.Day Date Location Time Where to Meet FocusF 8/3 Donovan Park 8:00am Cyd's parking lot Prairie RestorationSa 8/4 Tawny Oaks 9:00am Tawny Oaks shelter Oak Woods WorkdayW 8/8 Camp Wokanda 9:00am Lower parking lot Native Garden WorkdayW 8/8 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdaySa 8/11 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdaySu 8/12 Rocky Glen 9:00am Rocky Glen parking lot Restoration WorkdayW 8/22 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayTh 8/23 Detweiller Park 1:30pm Pine/Dogwood shelter lot Restoration WorkdaySa 8/25 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayTh 8/30 Bradley Park 9:30am To be determined Restoration WorkdaySa 9/1 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayW 9/5 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayF 9/7 Donovan Park 8:00am Cyd's parking lot Prairie RestorationF 9/7 Singing Woods 9:00am Tawny Oaks shelter Hill Prairie WorkdaySa 9/8 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdaySa 9/8 Horseshoe Bottoms 9:00am West end of St. Mary’s Cemetery Restoration WorkdaySu 9/9 Rocky Glen 9:00am Rocky Glen parking lot Restoration WorkdayW 9/12 Camp Wokanda 9:00am Lower parking lot Garden MaintenanceF 9/14 Robinson Park 9:00am South parking lot Hill Prairie WorkdaySa 9/15 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdaySu 9/16 Forest Park 10:00am Nature Center main room Hill Prairie WorkdayW 9/19 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayF 9/21 Forest Park 9:00am Nature Center main room Hill Prairie WorkdayW 9/26 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayF 9/28 Detweiller Park 9:00am Pine/Dogwood shelter lot Restoration WorkdaySa 9/29 Tawny Oaks 9:00am Tawny Oaks shelter Oak Woods WorkdaySa 9/29 Tawny Oaks 1:00pm Tawny Oaks shelter Prairie Seed CollectionSa 9/29 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayF 10/5 Donovan Park 9:00am Cyd’s parking Restoration WorkdaySu 10/7 Rocky Glen 9:00am Rocky Glen Parking Lot Restoration WorkdayM 10/8 Forest Park 10:00am Nature center main room Hill Prairie WorkdayW 10/10 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayF 10/12 Camp Wokanda 9:00am Upper parking lot Hill Prairie Workday

Restoration Work Days Continued...

Sommer Park Volunteer Opportunities

Hummingbird Garden Volunteers: Have an amazing green thumb or want to develop one? Volunteer in the Sommer Park Hummingbird/Pollinator Garden. Volunteers are needed periodically from spring through fall for light gardening and landscaping work. The garden provides a habitat for hummingbirds and endangered bee species, and benefits include: access to this special use park, reduced rental prices, and contributing to the conservation effort of bees and hummingbirds.Hummingbird Feeder Volunteers: Want to spend time caring for the smallest birds on Earth? These tiny creatures and Sommer Park need you! This recurring volunteer opportunity is available several times a week from April through October. Volunteers can commit to as much or as little time as they wish and duties include: taking down, cleaning, and refilling hummingbird feeders to attract and feed hummingbirds in our garden. Come spend some time with these enchanting little birds. Sommer Park VIP’s Volunteering: Interpreting & Preserving-Living History & Environmental Education. Currently seeking volunteers interested in outdoor education, animal care and living history for the wonderful programs offered to the public. Training is available and Sommer Park is a great place to spend a few hours during the month.Woodland Stewardship, Native Burns, Trail Maintenance, and Rental Hosts: Volunteers ages 14+ are needed on an ongoing basis. Sommer Park has many distinctive elements that blend to offer a unique experience of recreation, nature, history and family interaction through volunteering.

F 10/19 Singing Woods 9:00am Tawny Oaks shelter Hill Prairie WorkdaySa 10/20 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayW 10/24 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration Workday

F 10/26 Tawny Oaks 9:00am Tawny Oaks shelter Prairie RestorationSa 10/27 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration Workday

Sa 10/27 Tawny Oaks 1:00pm Tawny Oaks shelter Prairie Seed Collection.F 11/2 Donovan Park 9:00am Cyd’s parking lot Restoration Workday

Sa 11/3 Horseshoe Bottoms 12:00pm West end of St Mary’s Cemetery Restoration WorkdaySa 11/3 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration Workday

Su 11/4 Rocky Glen 9:00am Rocky Glen Parking Lot Restoration WorkdayW 11/14 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdaySa 11/17 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration Workday

Su 11/18 Forest Park 9:00am Nature center main room Invasive species removal.W 11/21 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration Workday

F 11/30 Sommer Farm 1:30pm Main office Restoration WorkdaySa 12/1 Horseshoe Bottoms 9:00am West end of St Mary’s Cemetery Restoration Workday

Sa 12/1 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdaySu 12/2 Rocky Glen 9:00am Rocky Glen Parking Lot Restoration Workday

F 12/7 Donovan Park 2:00pm Cyd’s parking lot Restoration WorkdaySa 12/15 Springdale Savanna 1:00pm Cemetery office lot Restoration WorkdayW 12/19 Springdale Savanna 9:00am Cemetery office lot Restoration Workday

Restoration Work Days Continued...

Camp Wokanda Opportunities

Luthy Botanical Garden Opportunities

Come volunteer at the Garden and learn new skills, meet great people, help beautify the grounds and have fun at the same time. Volunteers are needed year-round and gardening experience is not necessary. We also have opportunities with education, special event planning and gift shop greeters.

Ready to get your hands dirty for a good cause? The trails around Camp Wokanda would greatly appreciate your time and energy with mulching, pruning, mowing, grounds maintenance, development and more! Camp Wokanda is also looking for volunteers to instruct or assist with a variety of new outdoor educational programs, such as nature hikes, backpacking, and much more.

Howl-Zoo-Ween

Volunteer at the PlayHouse to help kids become explorers and creators of the world! Scheduling is flexible!

Volunteers (ages 14 and up) can support the PlayHouse and engage with our visitors in the following ways:

• Real Tools: Assist and instruct safe tool use techniques in the Real Tools exhibit as kids use hammers, saws, drills, and other tools to create and build. Volunteers in this position should be comfortable with basic carpentry tools and interested in working with children in a hands-on capacity. • Field Trips: Volunteers assist Education Department staff in welcoming classes to the museum and leading an interactive hands-on activity. Field trips are booked during regular open hours on weekdays and range in length from 2 to 3 hours. • Special Events and Programs: The PlayHouse hosts a variety of kid and family workshops, as well as special programs and events!

To apply for all PlayHouse volunteer opportunities, visit peoriaplayhouse.org/get-involved. Call 323-6893 for more information.

PlayHouse Children’s Museum Opportunities

Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association

FOCUSVolunteers will join our adult day program as our participants engage in recreational center-based activities as well as explore communities throughout the Heart of Illinois. To volunteer with the FOCUS Program, contact HISRA at 681-1929.

StrikersJoin our participants once a week, as they spend time fine-tuning their bowling skills while spending quality time with friends! To volunteer with Strikers, please contact Sioban Stahl at 681-1929.

Special OlympicsIf you are an athlete or sports fan, this season HISRA is offering Special Olympics Aquatics, Track & Field, Golf and Bowling. With our large number of competitive athletes here at HISRA, volunteers are always welcome! If you’re interested in volunteering for HISRA athletics, please contact Sioban Stahl at 681-1929.

Call 691-1929 if you are interested in being an ongoing volunteer or volunteering for special events.

TEAMS - Group Volunteer Program

TEAMS is an acronym for Time Energy And Materialization Sponsor. The Sponsor, working with the Peoria Park District, will solely provide the

volunteer time and energy needed for a Special Event opportunity.

Depending on the Special Event Opportunity, there are three ways to be a TEAM Sponsor:

• Staff all activities for the entire opportunity time • Provide volunteers for a specific activity or booth through all shifts • Oversee all activities or booths for an entire shift

For the Sponsor, TEAMS is an accessible way to take a leadership role in community volunteer activities.

Due to TEAMS’s sponsorship and recognition, it is necessary for a TEAMS group to provide a significant amount of volunteers (dependent on the event). Because of the ownership felt by the Sponsor members and agreement to be in the TEAMS program, a certain number of reliable volunteers should be available. Imagine that it goes so well, they would be willing to sponsor another event? Staff will become familiar with the group, and the group will become familiar with the facility and the way it runs.

VOLUNTEERS CAN SIGN UP ONLINE FOR ANY PARK DISTRICT EVENT

*Park District event must be in need of volunteers and in The Vine or The Playbook

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” AugustCamp Wokanda History Hike • 8/3 Camp Wokanda • 6:00-8:00pm Assist with a historical hike around the beautiful Camp Wokanda!Hummingbird & Bee Pollinator Festival • 8/11 Sommer Park • 9:00am-1:00pm Volunteers (14+) needed to help with children’s activities & hummingbird “adoption”.Soul Fest •8/10, 8/11, 8/12 • Peoria RiverFront • 4:30pm-10:30pm 10 volunteers (ages 14+) needed for a night of Gospel & R&B. Volunteers receive free admission the day they help out. Night Paddle and Campfire Dinner • 8/18 Camp Wokanda • 6:00-9:00pm Assistinaneveningofcanoeing,withacampfiredinner,onDavisLake.India Fest •8/18• Peoria RiverFront •3:00pm-10:00pm The cultural of India, right here in Peoria! Treat yourself to the sights, sounds and tastes while taking tickets, and more. Annual Maintenance Closure • 8/20-8/28 Peoria PlayHouse • Times TBAZoo Run Run • 8/25 Peoria Zoo • 7:30-9:30am 25+ Volunteers needed. Grand Prix 5k Walk/Race that winds thru the Zoo & Glen Oak Park. It is fun & healthy way to show your support of Peoria Zoo! Volunteers will be stationed along the course. Pioneer Days • 8/26 Sommer Park • 1:00-4:00pm Help with this hands-on history lesson to see what it was like back in the mid 19th century. Volunteers will provide information & demonstrations.

SeptemberIllinois River Sweep • 9/1 Sommer Park • 9:00am-12:00pm 30 volunteers This is an annual cleanup day. Gloves and trash bags are provided. Call 309-686-3360 to register.Celebrate Peoria, Eid Al-Adha • 9/2 Peoria PlayHouse • 12:00-5:00pmWeedy Wednesdays•9/5,9/12,9/19,9/26LuthyBotanicalGarden•5:30-7:00pm Give us a hand with a little weeding! It’s a great way to get some exercise and unwind after work. No experience needed, we will provide you with tools and the weedy knowledge it requires. Weeding will be canceled for rain/inclement weather.Nature Nuts • 9/6 Camp Wokanda • 10:00-11:30am Camp Wokanda’s “Nature Nut” series is designed to inspire young minds and to get families outdoors.PNC Worldwide Day of Play • 9/8 Glen Oak Park • 10:00am-3:00pm Cometojoininfamilyfriendly,fun-filledactivities!30volunteers(age14+)needed! It’s a family fun day that includes various activities such as Touch a Truck, obstacle course, estimation game & more!Night Paddle and Campfire Dinner • 9/8 Camp Wokanda • 6:00-9:00pm Assistinaneveningofcanoeing,withacampfiredinner,onDavisLake.Princess and Pirate Weekend • 9/15 - 9/16 Peoria Zoo • 10:30am-2:30pm 8-10 Volunteers needed each day. Assist with games, crafts & face-painting! Feel free to dress up as family-friendly pirates or princesses!Annual Turkey Trot•9/19DetweillerPark•12:30-2:30pm Anticipating that turkey coma? Get a head start on beating the holiday weight with some voluntary exerciseatDetweillerPark,(norunningrequiredforvolunteers.)Set-up,registration,water,and tear-down would all love your assistance for this race!cesses!Peoria Oktoberfest • 9/21-9/23 Peoria RiverFront • Times TBAZoo La La • 9/22 Peoria Zoo • 4:30-11:00pm Help out at the Peoria Zoo!Volunteers needed to help with food transportation, set-up and tear down, and serving. Shifts are from 4:00pm-8:30pm and 8:00pm-12:00am.Be Anything! Preview Event • 9/23 Peoria PlayHouse • 2:00-4:00pmPeoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair •StepUpDay9/28,9/29&9/30•Times9:00am-5:00pmShiftsAvailable A brief description of what volunteers will be doing: Volunteers will assist with several different volunteer tasks. Below are a few volunteer tasks that we have available for you to sign up for: Set Up andTearDownCrewArtistRegistrationAmbassadorsLunch/WaterDeliveryCrewFrontGatesTickets Sellers and Greeters General Floater Interactive/Community Mural Kids Art Festival - Face painters, Arts and crafts, and so much more.

“One of the greatest gift you can give is your time.”

“One of the greatest gift you can give is your time.” October Hayrides & Hotdogs •10/4, 10/11, 10/18, 10/25 Sommer Park • 5:00-7:00pm Hayrides&Hotdogs.JointhefunwiththePercheronHorseteam,bonfires,s’mores,sackraces, fortune telling & more! Costumes encouraged!PlayHouse Global Cardboard Challenge •10/6 Peoria PlayHouse • 10:00am-2:00pmHowl-Zoo-Ween • 10/12-10/14 Peoria Zoo • 4:30pm - 8:30pm 40-60 Volunteers needed. Help Pass out candy and treats to children on a safe Trick or Treat Trail. Family friendly costumes encouraged!Campfire Stories • 10/13/18 • Camp Wokanda • 7:00pm – 9:00pm Assistinaneveningofcanoeing,withacampfiredinner,onDavisLake.Costume Swap and Create! •10/20 Peoria PlayHouse • 9:00am-12:30pmHaunted PlayHouse •10/20 Peoria PlayHouse • 12:00-4:00pmFall Used Book Sale •10/20, 10/21, 10/22 Noble Center • 10:00am-7:00pmDoggie Trick or Treat • 10/28/18 • Camp Wokanda • 2:00pm – 4:00pm Volunteers needed to assist with this exciting doggie easter egg hunt!Fall Festival •10/30LoganRecCenter•4:30-7:30pmTruck or Treat • 10/31 Proctor Rec Center • 4:30-7:30pm Help with fun trick or treating event after school.

NovemberZOOBREW, WINE & SPIRITS TOO! • 11/1 Peoria Zoo • Times 4:00-10:00pm Welcome to the autumn cousin of this past spring’s Zootini event: ZooBrew and Wine too! VolunteersneededtphelpenjoypreparingtheZambeziLodge,greetingincomingexplorersand more.Celebrate Peoria, Dia de los Muertos • 11/4 Peoria PlayHouse • 12:00-5:00pmCivil War Winter Quarters• 11/17/18 – 11/18/18• Sommer Park • 10:00 AM - 4:00 (Saturday, Nov 17) & 10:00 AM - 2:00 (Sunday, Nov 18) 3 volunteers needed age 18+. Travel back to the Civil War days! Come to enjoy while helping with a variety of demonstrations.Candle Light Walks • 11/30–12/22•LuthyBotanicalGardens•Friday&Saturday6:00pm–8:00pm 2volunteers,(ages16+),needed.HelpassistLuthyBotanicalGardenwiththeireveningcandlelight walks!

Adult Volunteer OpportunitiesTake a walk on the wild side and join us in one of the many volunteer

opportunities at the Zoo!

• Adult Interpreters (ages 18+). Volunteers are stationed at exhibits and talk to the public about animals. • Adult Assistant Zookeepers (ages 18+). Shifts from approximately 10 am-1pm. Volunteers assist in the cleaning of animal displays, windows and floors.

• Adult Animal Handlers (ages 18+). Volunteers learn how to handle and present selected education animals during programs and talks at the Peoria Zoo.

Peoria Zoo Volunteer Opportunities

“Alone we can do little; together we can do much.”

DecemberChristmas on the Ghost Front WWII • 12/08/18• Sommer Park • 10:00am – 4:00pm Travel back to 1944 in this re-creation of the days leading up to the Battle of the Bulge. World War II veterans, historians, and re-enactors will all be present. Come to enjoy while helping with a variety of demonstrations at Sommer Park.Critter Christmas • 12/ 8 • Peoria Zoo • 8:45 am - 10:30am 5-7 Volunteers needed. Get in the best kind of holiday spirit by helping out with the crafts and games at this festive Zoo event!Garden Christmas Party •10/7,10/8,10/14,10/15•LuthyBotanicalGardens•4:00pm-6:00pm StartanewfamilytraditionbyvisitingLuthyBotanicalGardentogetintheChristmasspirit.In addition to a beautiful display of poinsettias, there will be music, door prizes, The Hall of Christmas trees, smore making, a lighted fairy garden and more.Proctor Center Holiday Party • 12/19/18 • Proctor Center • 6:00pm – 7:30pm 4-6 Volunteers Needed, (age 14+) Volunteers will help with bringing a lot of holiday cheer to help with crafts & games.Logan Center Holiday Party •12/20/18•LoganCenter•4:00pm–6:00pmNoon Year’s Eve • 12/31 • Peoria PlayHouse • 10:00am-12:30pm

Trail Maintenance at Forest Park Nature Center

Coaches/Athletics OpportunitiesYouth Baseball, Basketball and Soccer coaches are needed throughout the year. See the SPORTS & FITNESS - KIDS Section for descriptions or for more information call 681-2866.

The Book Court at the Noble Center• Volunteers are needed to interact with the public, make change, and love books. Can’t volunteer on a regular basis? Substitutes are needed Monday through Friday from 8:30am -12:30pm and 12:30pm - 4:30pm.• Volunteers ages 18+ are needed to sort, price, stack and box books from 9am - 1pm on

weekdays.

After School Youth Mentoring at Proctor Recreation CenterMon-Fri, 3-5pmJust having someone there can be the biggest difference. Impact the education of middle and primary students at Proctor Center’s After School program by working one-on-one with a child as his or her Homework Helper. Caring tutors may help with math one day and reading the next, all while seeing first-hand the difference made throughout the school year.

Moonlight CoalitionTutors for our GED Program at Proctor and Logan Recreation Centers are needed!Moonlight Coalition is looking for tutors to help adults achieve their GED by helping with math and reading skills.

25 Volunteers (ages 21+) needed at each course. Volunteers may enjoy incentives such as reduced cart fees, free freen fees, and more. Duties include: • Tracking pace of play and monitoring rule compliance • Addressing necessary course needs • Maintaining full water coolers around the course • Preparing golf carts between players • Assisting in the pro shops and handling customer inquiries

Regular Volunteer Opportunities“Alone we can do little; together we can do much.”

Golf Starters and Marshalls: Kellogg, Newman, Madison & Golf Learning Center

Enjoy the beauty of nature while protecting it. Hike the trails, keep them clean and be on the lookout for any regulation violations. (Ages 16+)

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