The City of Highland Park’s HP150 Service Committee needs your help achieving 150 service projects to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the City’s founding in 1869. If you or your organization, school, club, place of worship, or business is coordinating a service project or volunteer initiative, please contact Marietta Stevens at the Volunteer Pool of Highland Park at info@volunteerpoolhp.org or call 847.433.2190 with a short description of the service project, its impact, and a photograph after the project has been completed. HP150 Service Projects can be as simple as volunteering at your local animal shelter or picking up trash at a park.
2019 Service Projects
158.
Holiday Gift Drive - The Indian Trail Service Club hosted their annual Holiday Gift Drive, benefitting Family Focus "Right from the Start" families. Indian Trail families donated and wrapped gifts for 100 children
157.
December Donation Drive - Indian Trail collected bars of soap for Moraine Township Food Pantry.
156.
November 2019 Holiday Project - Service Club students created holiday greeting cards for residents of Sunrise Senior Living
155.
Teal Pumpkin Project - Students created teal pumpkins and signage to raise awareness of providing some non-food treats on Halloween, to help make the holiday more fun and safe for those that suffer from food allergies.
154.
In September, the Indian Trail Service Club hosted a "Change Drive" to support relief efforts after Hurricane Dorian.
153.
The Indian Trail Service Club hosted a drive to collect snacks and paper goods to donate to Moraine Township Food Pantry in an effort to stock the shelves for summer time.
152.
Indian Trail families donated their leftover gently used and like-new school supplies, which Service Club students boxed up for two local schools in need.
151.
In honor of Mother's Day, the Indian Trail Service Club hosted a donation drive for essential baby items such as bottles, pacifiers, diapers and wipes for Share Our Spare. Stidents packed these items into newborn kits for mothers in need. Some families then delivered the kits during a volunteer session at the Share Our Spare warehouse.
150.
In April 2019, the Indian Trail Service Club participated in the Earth Day pollinator project. Students learned about the importance of pollinators. They created terracotta butterfly and bee puddlers and planted butterfly weed seeds in newspaper pots to encourage pollinator-friendly environments around the neighborhood.
149. 
In March 2019, the Indian Trail Service Club donated non-perishable snacks to the school's food pantry, which is supported by Moraine Townshop Food Pantry. These snacks are used throughout the year for students.
148.
In honor of Valentine's Day, the Indian Trail Service Club created heart-shaped sun catchers for residents of Sunrise Senior Living.
147. 
In January, the Indian Trail Service Club delivered quilt squares to the local chapter of Project Linus for volunteers to sew quilts for children in hospitals and shelters. 150 quilt squares were made for Project Linus.
146. 
145. On Sunday, November 24th, North Suburban Synagogue members came together to create over 130 baskets of donated food for needy families at the Glenwood School in Waukegan. This event started 19 years ago when Glenwood School partnered with NSS Beth El Social Action Committee. We made a commitment to help families at the school have special food for Thanksgiving. Participants shop for about 20 traditional Thanksgiving meal items and include a gift card for the turkey. They bring their donation to the synagogue and each family packs their own basket, then packs up cars and the baskets are hand-delivered to the recipient families. 
144. The Rotary Club of Highland Park volunteered and donated to the "Northwood Day of Giving " on Dec. 7th. The Northwood Day of Giving is an annual event when members of the community in need are able to "shop" (for free) for winter clothes, food, and other gift items which have been donated.
The Rotary Club sponsors the Rotary Interact Club at Highland Park High School with 120 students involved. The Rotary and Rotary Interact groups volunteered for the Beach cleanup on Oct. 5th. They also met at a Youth Assembly Service Day for Rotary Interact in November in Arlington Hts. Rotary and Rotary Interact will volunteer at "Feed my Starving Children" in December and also at the Martin Luther King Day of Service in January 2020.
143. Students from HPHS that are part of the SaLT leadership board helped bake cookies at Ronald McDonald House to warm the hearts of families staying at the house. When the families return from a day at the hospital, they were able to treat themselves to homemade cookies. We made over 5 dozen cookies.
142. Students from HPHS that are part of the SaLT leadership board participated in local service working at n September. The fest welcomes over 10,000 guests and volunteers to the Misericordia campus each year for great food, entertainment, children’s games and more. Our SaLT students volunteered with children's games, face painting and dressing up in characters interacting will all that attended this event. This is the largest fundraiser for Misericordia. SaLT stands for Service and Learning Together.
141. Northwood Gives Back at Warren Barr North Shore in November. Students volunteered on a Saturday socializing and making Thanksgiving napkin holders with the residents. After our art project we had fun playing BINGO with the residents.
140. Northwood Gives Back volunteered at Elawa Farms in Lake Forest in September. NGB kicked off our second year of service-learning in the gardens @ElawaFarm! Inspiring an appreciation for gardening, healthy living, and historic preservation. We helped with planting, watering, weeding, tending and harvesting vegetables and flowers in the garden.
139. The Highland Park Fire Department is having a Winter Coat Collection Drive for kids who need coats this winter. A collection box is at 1130 Central St. Station.
138. For the fifth consecutive year, Highland Park Ford Lincoln has donated 100 turkeys delivered by Schaul Farms to Moraine Township Food Pantry for distribution to income-qualified residents for their Thanksgiving celebration. American Legion #145 provided funds for other food for families for Thanksgiving.
137. Sophie Draluck , a student in Highland Park founded "Cycle Forward " a nonprofit public charity that combats period poverty, advocates for menstrual equity, and empowers women by providing free access to menstrual products for under-resourced women and teens. So far Cycle Forward has donated over 52,000 tampons and pads to women and girls in need through food pantries, shelters, and other organizations across the Chicago area, Florida, U.K., India and Haiti.
Since its inception, Cycle Forward has been donating menstrual products every month to the Moraine Township Food Pantry in Highland Park to ensure that all residents of Highland Park have access to the menstrual care products they need.
136. In November, the Highland Park High School Class of 2023 made Troop Care packages in PE class as part of "Link Crew" program.
135. Sophie Draluck, a student in Highland Park founded "Cycle Forward " a nonprofit public charity that combats period poverty, advocates for menstrual equity, and empowers women by providing free access to menstrual products for under-resourced women and teens. So far Cycle Forward has donated over 52,000 tampons and pads to women and girls in need through food pantries, shelters, and other organizations across the Chicago area, Florida, U.K., India, and Haiti.
134. The Heyden Family and friends served meals at Ronald McDonald House in September in honor of Jack Heyden who passed away in 2016.
133. Chase Bank on Skokie Valley Rd. in Highland Park collected children's books for Bernie's Book Bank in August 2019. Bernie's Book Bank has a literacy program that gives donations of new and used books for at-risk- children.
132. Jonah Shapiro's Eagle Scout project was the refurbishing of the eight outdoor charcoal grills at Sunset Woods Park in Highland Park. "I led a group of volunteers to remove a build-up of ash & grime from each grill, painted the cylindrical supports and constructed two brick platforms, 3 feet by 4 feet, for two of the grills where there was only grass to stand on. 
131. Zac's Zoo presents stuffed animals to the HP Fire and Police Dept. to give to children who are sick or under stressful conditions. Ellen Cohen is the "Chief Zookeeper "of Zac's Zoo.
130. The magnificent Commemorative Quilt is hanging the Highland Park Library. Thank you to Abby Block, the organizer for the Quilt committee which included volunteer quilters: Abby Block, Amy Spungen, Judy Friedman, Janet Fisher, Nancy Goodman, Cynthia Karabush, and Nell Thorpe. Cheryl Steiger worked on the design but was not a quilter.
129. Volunteers at the Food Pantry for Moraine Township on Tuesdays: Barry Scholnick, Camille Rubin, Ilana Platt and Sharon Eisendrath.
128. Early Childhood Dual Language offers programs where parents can meet the challenges of parenting through coming together for friendship and shared information while their young children are provided with safe, nurturing, and dual-language early experiences under the care of experienced professional staff.
Long-time volunteer Bessie Levin helps sign -in families at the front desk and volunteer Yuri Zuluaga plays with the children in the toddler room.
127. Eagle Scout project by Scout David Moore-creating a council ring for fires at Heller Nature Center.
126. "Luggage for Freedom", a service project of the National Council of Jewish Women-North Shore held a collection/packing day at West Ridge Center in Highland Park on October 27. Over 100 volunteers helped to pack luggage with toiletries, new sheets, towels, books for children, to be delivered to women's shelters. The organizers of this amazing event were Pam Zlotnick and Nora Zuckerman.
Highland Park Councilman Alyssa Knobel and her husband Jeremy(pictured) volunteered for this worthwhile project.
125. Players from the Highland Park Giants Hockey Team helped to organize a fundraiser to honor the family of fallen Illinois State Trooper Christopher Lambert. The Trooper was killed in a crash on 294 last January and the hockey team happened to pass the accident scene shortly afterwards on the way to a game. Later, the team noticed that there was no big community response to help the family of the Trooper. They set up a GOFundMe page and helped organize the fundraiser at the Centennial Ice Arena on Sept. 28th. Picture from the Highland Park Landmark Paper: Jack Elbaum, Sam Shachtman and Parker Hara with the widow of the Trooper, Chris Lambert.
124. Over 45 volunteers helped to guide participants to see over a dozen sites in Highland Park on Sept. 28, 2019 as part of the year-long celebration for the 150th Anniversary of Highland Park.
123. Students from" Northwood Gives Back ", a service group at Northwood School, assisted the City of Highland Park Forestry Division in restoring the property between Lincoln Place and the railroad tracks with native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees. The project improves the ecological value of the property as a pollinator habitat, reduces invasive vegetation and maintenance costs, improves aesthetics, and provides additional screening from the Metra line.
122. Volunteers for the Park District of Highland Park:
Summer Program with young people helping restore natural areas of the Parks
Volunteers helping with Fall plantings in the Parks 
121. Volunteers Catherine Lambrecht and Jeff Stern worked with Nancy Webster( Archive Director of the Highland Park Historical Society), to develop a History Game for the HP150 Celebration . Puzzle pieces with over 40 historical facts and pictures are listed on signs located throughout Highland Park. To play the game, residents find all the puzzle pieces and record codes for a prize.
120. Musician Linda Lovino volunteered to play her accordion to liven up the Deerfield Police "Coffee with a Cop" event.
119. Volunteers joined the "Alliance for the Great Lakes" Beach Cleanups on Sept. 21 which was organized by Liz Ettelson of the Park District of Highland Park. The group "Go Green Highland Park also provided volunteers helping to keep the beaches clean.
118. Preschool Children at JCYS Lutz Family Center do a fall service project where they count school supplies to be donated to Cradles to Crayons who give supplies to families/children in poverty .
The preschool will do a used book donation project for Bernies book bank in October and will write thank you letters to service men and women in November.
117. Volunteers for the Moraine Township Pantry Garden help setup the garden and continue to tend the garden each week. The garden provides fresh vegetables to the Moraine Township Food Pantry. Lead gardener Sam Piro organizes volunteers all summer.
116. "Go Green Highland Park" is a new grassroots advocacy group focused on reducing our environmental impact. They are encouraging Food Truck Thursday participants to separate their food waste in special containers. The food waste will be composted rather than put in landfills.
115. Employees from Highland Park Hospital of NorthShore University Healthcare volunteered to host a community meal in Highwood on Sept. 5, 2019.
114. Volunteers help at the Stupey Log Cabin Harvest Festival on Sept. 14, 2019. Volunteers from the Historical Society arrange tours of Stupey Log Cabin, plan historical exhibits and a petting zoo for children.
113. P3 - Practical, Preparation for Progress. The Father and Son team of Steve and Ben Davis, both life long Highland Parker's, have undertaken an amazing project to better the lives of underprivileged students in South Africa and soon the USA too. To date, they have taken three trips to South Africa. Steve and Ben have Organized and Run 2 Full Seasons of their after-school programs centered around sports, fun and practical learning. In Jan. 2019, they took their 3rd trip to Cape Town to run their 2nd season of P3, for 4th-7th-grade students. Steve, Ben and their hired P3 coaches provide daily organized fun, sport training, and practical learning for their young students. The father-son team also feeds all the P3 members and staff before and after the daily activities. Many of the practical lessons taught are posted on the bottom of the Home page of their website. The first 2 lessons posted are "More Truth = More Trust" and "More Consistent = More Reliable." Visit their website for more information, including many Letters of Appreciation from their young students: http://progressbyp3.com.
112. Highland Park High School Giants Football team volunteered to help on Aug. 6th for "National Night Out". National Night Out is a national event planned by local Police Dept. to promote community partnerships, communication, and safety.
111. On June 28, 2019, several members of Makom Solel Lakeside Congregation welcomed a refugee family it is sponsoring. The 3 adult siblings originally are from the Democratic Republic of Congo and had been living for several years in Rwanda where 3 children were born to one of the sisters. The children are 9, 7, and 3. The family is living in an apartment in Skokie which was furnished by the congregation. Congregation members will mentor and tutor the family for a minimum of 6 months.
110. International Scout Leader Pete Armstrong volunteered to bring a group of Scouts from Mongolia to Highland Park for the 4th of July Parade and HP150 celebration. The Scouts take a camping trip to get to know scout troops in Highland Park during their visit.
109. In his Highland Park organic garden, Ed Kugler helps HP High school science students learn about organic gardening. Ed volunteers his time to bring students and teachers to learn conservation techniques and how to plant his organic garden several times each year.
His website is: https://www.organicteachgardenhp.org/about.
Wayne Thomas Elementary School did several service projects during the last school year:
108. 5th Grade Leaders program- 35 5th grade students were trained to support the K-2nd-grade students at lunch and recess and also reading.
107. Developed a recycling program during the school year.
106. Learned about and supported Zac's Zoo in December- collecting new stuffed animals for children in need or disaster areas.
105. Citizenship and Kindness Campaigns throughout the year.
Braeside Elementary School had a "WE Day" of Service on June 11, 2019, and had several projects:
104. Kindness Campaign- writing messages of kindness.
103. Quilts of Kindness- making quilts for hospitalized children with cancer.
102. Saving Animals- students promote education and conservation for animals close to extinction.
101. Saving Tiny Hearts- writing letters to children with heart defects/surgery.
100. H. Eisenberg Foundation -Junior student board explains how they support research for GI Cancer.
99. Community Voices-"What is your why"- Mayor Nancy Rotering monitors a discussion on the importance of speaking up for important issues.
98. The Senior Center of Highland Park had a service day on June 11th making blankets for Project Linus. Project Linus blankets provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.”
Ravinia Elementary School's Leadership program has service-oriented projects/events for 5th graders:
97. They participated in Martin Luther King Day of Service in January.
96. On Valentines Day there was a Day of service to donate food to Moraine Township and write valentines cards to HP firefighters.
95. March was Leadership Day with a Trip to the Holocaust Museum.
94. They participated in 'WE DAY" Service learning event at Allstate Arena on May 8th. 
93. The Highland Park Women's Club gives two scholarships awards each year. This year Highland Park Students, Dana Castillo and Shaeyna Josephson with Anita Targonski won the award. (Women's Club President and Connie Stachniw, Club Member pictured below).
Two Deerfield High School Students also won a scholarship award.
92. The Highland Park Police Department participated in Cop on a Rooftop on Friday, May 17. The annual event held at Dunkin Donuts, 1996 2nd Street, raises funds for Special Olympics Illinois. Over $1,000,000 was raised through Cop on a Rooftop from the 317 participating locations. .jpg)
91. Henry Droll 's Eagle Scout project is to provide permanent boxes for proper disposal of retired American Flags. Presently there are only cardboard boxes for people to deposit their flags to be respectfully retired. The permanent boxes will be placed at the Police Station and in City Hall. Henry has worked with Commander Larry Sassorossi on this important project. They are still fundraising for the costs of the permanent boxes and donations can be made to Troop 324.
Henry was at the Memorial Day Celebration in Highland Park to show residents examples of the permanent Flag disposal boxes
90. Volunteers Marliss Levin and her husband Gil Levy have been picking up boxes of used shoes donated by the New Balance Store in Highland Park to bring up to a Soup Kitchen in Waukegan each month. This began when Marliss saw a soup kitchen guest with only plastic bags on her feet and had the idea to ask the store for the used shoes people give them when they purchase a new pair of shoes. Guests in Waukegan really appreciate the donated shoes. The New Balance store also donates any remaining shoes to the Salvation Army.
89. Family Focus (Formerly Family Network) presented a free "Family Fun Fest" on April 6th at Oak Terrace School.
88. Family Focus (Formerly Family Network) presented two free concerts at Oak Terrace School, the first one will be May 18th.
87. VFW 4737 (Veterans of Foreign Wars) are collecting "poppy" donations on May 24th to benefit Veterans who are patients at Captain James Lovell Federal Healthcare Center in North Chicago.
86. At Wayne Thomas Elementary School, two students from military families were surprised with new bikes which were donated by the girls' soccer teams from Deerfield and Highland Park High Schools. This was in honor of Military Appreciation Month as a part of the Making A Difference On AND Off The Field campaign presented by Buddy's HELPERS and the PepsiCo Showdown - which is the largest high school sports series in the U.S. This campaign uses the power of sports to engage and educate student-athletes about the importance of enhancing the lives of others. 
85. The Midwest Young Artists (MYA) volunteered for the North Shore Music Festival on May 19th. Many groups at MYA performed including the Jazz band, Big Band honoring the HP150 Celebration. The Vocal Point Ensemble group held up the HP150 logo pictured.
84. Blessings in a Backpack delivers weekend food in a backpack to families with food insecurity at several schools. The Key Club from Highland Park High School volunteer to pack backpack twice a month.
83. Red Oak Elementary School had a pajama drive in February. They brought pajamas and school supplies to "Cradles to Crayons", a non-profit which connects with communities in need and supplies children by collecting donations of new and like-new children's clothing, school supplies, and other necessities. The Red Oak students help sort and organize school supplies to be donated to children in low-income areas of Chicago.
82. Last year, Congregation Solel in Highland Park welcomed a refugee family which it co-sponsored with Refugee One, an agency which brings more refugees into Illinois than any other agency. This year they are preparing to sponsor another refugee family expected to arrive in the summer.
Solel members donated funds for several months of rent on an apartment, costs of bringing the family to the U.S., and other needs. Members also donated furniture and household items to provide a fully furnished apartment for the family.
81. Members of the City Government volunteered at Moraine Township. Mayor Nancy Rotering, Supervisor Moraine Township Anne Bassi, Ghida Neukirch, City Manager and Council members Dan Kaufman, Michelle Holleman, and Alyssa Knobel.
80. May 11th Postal Food drive "To stamp out hunger". Members of the Key Club from Highland Park High School volunteer to sort and organize food donations, with the help of their Teacher Liane Fitzgerald.
79. To honor the 150th Anniversary of Highland Park, members of the Student Council at Highland Park High School volunteered at the Postal food drive to "Stamp out Hunger" on May 11th.
78. Members of the community responded to the call for volunteers for the Postal Food drive on May 11th. Hundreds of bags of food donations were sorted and organized.
77. Rotary Interact Club from Highland Park High School helped prepare lunches for family members staying at Ronald Mc Donald house, who have sick children in the hospital.
76. HP Forward, a local service group, started by Terry Grossberg, focuses on kindness and trust and is against anti-Semitism. They provide a "Dinner with Dignity" three times a year in Highwood. The Rotary Interact Club volunteered to help.
75. Students from Highland Park and Deerfield High Schools volunteered May 9th at North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic's "Open Doors" event.
74. Scout Troop 324 did a clean-up walk picking up trash on Sheridan Road from Lake cook to Rosehill beach and from Green Bay Road to Rosehill beach. 
73. The Art Center Of Highland Park's staff taught participants in the Boy and Girls Club of Lake County’s Youth of the Year program how to deliver presentations, think on their feet and become more confident public speakers. This program celebrates youth who have overcome enormous odds and demonstrated exceptional character and accomplishments.
72. A Safe Place staff helped educate community members at the Martin Luther King Day of Service on what services are available to help victims of domestic violence through "A Safe Place".
71. Immaculate Conception Parish volunteers hosted a Community Supper at St. James in Highwood on April 4, 2019, with Catholic Charity of Lake County. Volunteers shopped, baked, served a meal for over 60 people in the community to help families with "food insecurity". We had enthusiastic from the Key Club at Highland Park High School.
70. "Kicking Kancer", a project from the Breast Cancer Survivor Society helped kids and adults make cards for children hospitalized with cancer in Milwaukee.
69. Rabbi Yosef from Central Avenue Synagogue helped educate children about Martin Luther King by quizzing them on Dr. King's life and rewarding correct answers with a candy treat.
68. Natural Areas specialists from Heller Nature Center helped children process seed heads by breaking them down into individual seeds which would be redistributed to natural areas in the park system.
67. Moraine Township members took donations of food at Martin Luther King Day of Service. Community members brought in donations of food and helped sort and transported to the Food Pantry.
66. The CERT team (Community Emergency Response Team) helped educate participants about the First Responders who are trained in disaster preparedness and other hazards in the community. Volunteer CERT Team members train with live exercises to be able to assist others in the community.
65. The Baha'i members helped participants fill a bag of goodies and share a message of unity to bring home to family and friends at the Martin Luther King Day of Service.
64. The HP Park Foundation did a "kindness rock" project at Martin Luther King Day of Service. Participants wrote positive messages on small rocks. Rocks would be placed in different locations in Highland Park. If found, you could take it or move it to a different location to spread positive messages.
63. The Highland Park Library helped children decorate canvas book bags at the Martin Luther King Day of Service. The book bags will be filled with donated books for the North Shore Health Clinic waiting room and gifts to families with children.
62. The National Council of Jewish Women helped participants make colorful paper flowers and cards for Mother's Day baskets for women in domestic violence shelters at the Martin Luther King Day of Service.
61. The League of Women Voters helped teach children about the voting process with a mock ballot and voting booth at Martin Luther King Day of Service. 
60. Phoebe student of Solomon Schecter School, from Highland Park, is planning a "Kindness Walk" on June 2, 2019, from 3pm-4:30 PM in Sunset Woods Park: BeKind Chicago and Kindness Walk.
59. "Families Helping Families of Chicagoland" participated in the Martin Luther King Day of Service. They helped participants decorate containers for crayons and stickers to help entertain kids at "A Safe Place" shelter. This group helps support families and foster children in need and/or in crisis in Lake and Cook Counties.
58. Students from Highland Park High School participated with the group "SaLTinOrlando" in February 2019. Students partnered with "Give Kids the World" where student volunteers helped to serve and support families with children suffering with life-threatening illness who are enjoying their Make-a-wish trip to Disney World. SaLT is a student travel group whose mission is to create meaningful service-learning travel experiences that meet the needs of the local community while promoting personal growth and understanding.
57. Highland Park High School students traveling with SaLT in February 2019 spent quality time interacting with Boys and Girls Club members in Central Florida helping with activities promoting academics, healthy lifestyle choices, character and citizenship.
56. The City of Highland Park gave away 500 free tree seedlings at the Highland Park Arbor Day Celebration.
55. Ravinia Elementary School volunteers helped make friendship bracelets for kids in foster homes and domestic violence shelters at the Martin Luther King Day of Service 2019.
54. Ravinia Festival of Highland Park collected gently used musical instruments at the Martin Luther King Day of Service 2019, as part of their "Reach-Teach and Play" project. 
53. PAWS North Shore Adoption Center of Highland Park helped participants make toys for shelter dogs and cats at the Martin Luther King Day of Service 2019. Using recycled items, the dog toy was a braided sweatshirt and cat toy was a toilet paper roll filled with cat treats and sealed.
52. Sherwood School volunteers filled "Diddy bags" of toiletries for hospitalized Veterans for the USO and James Lovell Federal HealthCare Center at the Martin Luther King Day of Service 2019.
51. The Highland Park/Highwood Legal Aid Clinic helped Martin Luther King participants to make "safe pins" with safety pins and beads for people to wear indicating that the wearer is a safe person to talk with. They helped educate the public with what the Legal Aid Clinic does to help people.
50. Immaculate Conception Parish volunteers do the shopping, cooking and serve a wonderful meal at a soup kitchen in Waukegan every month. This devoted group of volunteers are able to feed between 60-100 people. 
49. The City of Highland Park Fire Department collected books for at-risk children for their Annual Book Drive. 
48. Highland Park Presbyterian Church has many service projects that our congregation, both adults and youth, participate in. The following projects are participated in all year long: Providing food/toiletries to the Moraine County Township, Equal Exchange Coffee and Blessings in a backpack(providing children’s families with meals over the weekend who cannot afford groceries.
Every year we also participate in Bernie’s Book Bank (February 23, 2019), PADS Shelter in Deerfield(March 31, 2019), Rebuilding Together in Lake County (April 27, 2019. It is our 20th year) and Feed My Starving Children (April 13, 2019).
47. The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in 1882. Originally serving as a mutual benefit society to working-class and immigrant Catholics in the United States, it developed into a fraternal benefit society dedicated to providing charitable services.
- Their Tootsie Roll Drive benefits people with intellectual disabilities at Glenkirk, Misericordia and other facilities.
- Knights of Columbus members helped at the Catholic Charities Community Supper on April 4th.
- Knights of Columbus volunteer at "Feed our Starving Children" next opportunity is planned in May.
46. Northwood Gives Back spends quality time interacting with members of the Boys and Girls Club. The activities promote academics, healthy lifestyle choices, good character, and citizenship.
45. Northwood Gives Back helped at the Misericordia Bakery. thirty students and 3 teachers helped mix, scoop, bake and package bakery products. The group made over 3,00 cookies in the first hour! The bakery helps with Misericordia's fundraising.
44. Northwood Gives Back volunteered at Equestrians Connection to learn about the importance to the equine therapy programs and services for special needs children and adults. Then the students cleaned the stables for the horses. "No job is too big or small for our students," say the teachers. Students approach service projects with a positive attitude.
43. Northwood Gives Back volunteered at Warren Barr North Shore in October to help the residents paint pumpkins. The painting party was a great success and the students were asked back to help with another party.
42. Northwood Gives Back volunteered at the Misericordia Laundry in January. Students and teachers folded laundry from 8 AM - 2 PM. Misericordia does 3,500 pounds of laundry a day, so help was appreciated!
41. The Annual Day of Giving (DoG) benefitted over 500 people in the community. The Day of Giving originated at Elm Place School and the event has continued with the help of Northwood and Edgewood Middle Schools. Students and staff donated food, clothing, toiletries and winter gear. Students organized donations and set up a superstore so families could shop for free. Northwood was proud to host this important community tradition.
40. Northwood Middle School students worked to restore our natural areas at Heller Nature Center. The students learned the importance of removing invasive species like buckthorn and garlic mustard and then worked to clear out invasive species in the natural areas. Teachers: Ida Fiore, Constance Cunningham, Caitlin Lucci.
39. The Infinity Foundation of Highland Park presented a free "Family Fest": on March 9th for all Highland Park Families with interactive hands-on games and activities for parents and children. Infinity Foundation is a non-profit educational organization that offers more than 200 courses for kids and adults in personal growth and development.
The Family Fest project received grants from Yea! HP, Highland Park Healthcare Foundation and Natural Awakenings Chicago Magazine.
38. Focus on the Arts at Highland Park High School in April 2019 had over 300 volunteers between the planning committees and the volunteers who helped on the days for all the amazing artists, writers, musicians, dancers, and other performers.
37. Zach's Zoo is a project to collect new stuffed animals for first responders to give to children during their work. The stuffed animals are to provide comfort for children in need or who suffer a loss. Zach's Zoo collected stuffed animals at the Martin Luther King Day of Service and they also have a collection box at the Highland Park Police Station. Zach's Zoo was restarted to honor Zach Cohen, a young man in Highland Park who started to collect stuffed animals to send to children who survived Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Zach felt that the animals provided cuddle-comfort for children in need and he was able to spread his message and ultimately collected over 10,000 stuffed animals for the children impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Zach tragically died in a motorcycle accident in 2018 but his family is keeping his dream alive with Zach Zoo.
36. K-9 Reading Buddies is an animal-assisted children's literacy program dedicated to helping children read (grades 1-5 in north shore schools and libraries). Therapy dogs were present at the Martin Luther King Day of Service so children could read stories to them. K-9 Reading Buddies partners with Zac's Zoo to support their mission of providing comfort to children in crisis. Donate new, soft and cuddly stuffed animals to Zac's Zoo who will, in turn, distribute them to First Responders to give to children in their care. K-9 Reading Buddy Teams will be on-site as representatives of therapy dogs that provide comfort to others in times of crisis. 
35. The Highland Park Woman's Club donated two coolers to the Moraine Township Food Pantry for their new location. In addition, the Woman's Club funds two Highland Park High School students and two Deerfield High School students with scholarships in May. 
34. Highland Park Fire Department hosted a blood drive on May 11. The drive provided over 40 donations of blood to help the supply at local blood banks.
33. The Highland Park /Highwood Fire Department participated in the Martin Luther King Day of Service 2019 to educate the community about services offered by the Fire Department including the importance of CPR and the role defibrillator. They distributed Medical Cards that allow the EMT/Fire Dept to have access to your medical history in case of an emergency.
32. Red Oak Elementary School Service Club made Valentine's cards for troops sent through Rep. Schneider's office. The service club is comprised of first through fifth graders. 52 students meet once a month at lunch and take part in the club's activities.
31. Red Oak Elementary School Service Club made kindness and self-affirmation cards to share with classmates.
30. Red Oak Elementary School Service Club decorated marker recycling bins and signs to promote our Colorcylce program. Colorcyle is marker recycling program offered by Crayola.
29. Members of the Key Club from Highland Park High School volunteered April 4th for the Catholic Charities Community Supper in Highwood. Students helped prepare and serve a meal for nearly 60 guests. Students also entertained children and families with art projects. Teacher Loretta Bernardi helped organize an enthusiastic group.
28. "Tree Hugs" participated in MLK Day of Service. Tree Hugs is a project aimed to directly provide winter wear to individuals in need of warmth in the Chicagoland area.
Tree Hugs, organized by students at Highland Park High School and Terry Grossberg, plan coat/hat/scarf drives throughout the year. The coats and scarves/gloves are tied to tree in the Chicagoland area for anyone to use. A note is hung on the coat (below) for those in need to take them.
27. The Highland Park Baha’i Community is picking up litter on Lake Cook Road from Highway 41 to Braeside Station to make sure the entire area is ready for Ravinia Festival season when a number of new visitors come to Highland Park.
26. Working Bikes participated in our Martin Luther King Day of Service taking bike donations. Working Bikes donates to individuals and partner organizations to provide transportation to people in homeless transition, refugee resettlement, and youth empowerment programs in our community. Working Bikes donates over 6,000 bicycles each year to our international and local partners. President, Phil Kaplan, is a Highland Park residents.
Working bikes accepts donations of used bikes and volunteers to fix bikes so they can be shipped to areas in need. Webpage:https://www.workingbikes.org/about/
25. Reach For Change Club at Edgewood School collected donations for Northwood School's Day of Giving. The collection of canned goods, clothing, toys, and housewares filled the gym for over 200 families in need.
24.) NorthShore Highland Park Hospital employees and vendors collected over 200 packs of diapers during a special February 2019 diaper drive. 
23.) NorthShore Highland Park Hospital staff volunteer twice a year at the Northern Illinois Food Bank.
22.) NorthShore Highland Park Hospital provides food and staff for Catholic Charities Hot Supper at St. James in May, September, and December.
21.) NorthShore Highland Park Hospital staff sponsor and manage the water station for Park District of Highland Park’s Firecracker 5K- an annual event that supports the SMILE Scholarship Program.
20.) More than 100 individuals from the Rotary Interact Club volunteered at Bernie’s Book Bank to compile book packs for children who don’t have regular access to reading material. 
19.) Highland Park High School students spent the day with Park District of Highland Park staff testing the conditions of the water in the Rosewood ravine stream. The tests are done to ensure the survival of young trout the students will release into the ravine stream in April. The students have been raising the trout in their classrooms preparing them for the April release as part of the “Trout in the Classroom” program given by the Park District of Highland Park and Trout Unlimited, a non-profit organization that that introduces schools to trout and salmon conservation. Once released, the trout spend the spring in the ravine stream laying eggs and acclimating themselves to the cool waters of Lake Michigan before swimming out into the lake and becoming a vital part of the food chain and ecology. 
Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation traveled to Puerto Vallarta in February to bridge cultures and promote goodwill and global peace by providing cultural and educational exchanges, governmental, professional and economic partnerships and humanitarian assistance.
Highlights from the trip to Puerto Vallarta in February 2019:
18.) Created Virtual Classrooms, connecting classrooms in our Sister Cities with classrooms in Highland Park.
17.) Donated Chrome Books to students in remote villages of Puerto Vallarta to connect them with students in Highland Park
16.) Brought teachers from Highland Park to Puerto Vallarta to teach classes in Puerto Vallarta villages
15.) Brought a retired judge and author of short stories to Puerto Vallarta to teach story writing to students
14.) Provided materials for art students in a rural area of Puerto Vallarta
13.) Sent musicians from Highland Park to teach Master Classes to student musicians in Puerto Vallarta.
12.) Created the first Student Choral Festival in Puerto Vallarta-a local area student chorus participated.
11.) Key Club members volunteer at Moraine Township Food pantry on after school on Wednesdays to helporganize food donations. Key Club is a service club of Key Club International sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. Highland Park High School students volunteer time each week to community organizations and fundraise for local and global causes.
10.) Every other week, Key Club volunteers pack meals and snacks for, "Blessings in a Backpack" for local families to take home where needed.
9.) Key Club volunteers go twice a week to Nuestro Center in Highwood to mentor, and tutor first through fifth grade Oak Terrace students.
8.) Key Club volunteers help after-school at Community Nursery School and Day Care with the end of the day activities including making time to play with children.
7.) The HP Community Foundation's project at Martin Luther King Day of Service was to make 150 "grab and Go bags" for the police, firefighters, snow plow drivers, and other first responders.
6.) The Rotary Club of Highland Park motto#service above self-made 500 food bags and wrote empowering notes for "WINGS", an organization which helps adults and children escaping from domestic violence and abuse.
5.) The American Legion of Highland Park helped participants at Martin Luther King Day of Service to write letters to hospitalized Veterans at James Lovell Federal Healthcare Center. The Legion brings the letters when the help with activities at the Healthcare Center such as Bingo and entertainment. Some of the Americorp volunteers helped the letter writers.
4.) The volunteers for SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education) had a project to write letters to children in summer camp telling them how glad HP kids are that they are attending camp and how much fun it will be for them. SCOPE is an organization that raises money for low-income families to send kids to nonprofit overnight camps in the Midwest. They have sent over 2,000 kids to 2-week camp. Students get involved volunteering for SCOPE, the nonprofit national organization, believes summer camp reinforces what children learn in school and enhances overall academic learning.
3.) Edgewood's Girl Up Club completed a toiletries/sanitary product drive for P.A.D.S of Lake County, delivering several boxes of these items to the shelter. The club is an affiliate of the United Nations and focuses on advocacy and fundraising efforts in the areas of female education, health, safety, leadership, and documentation. The group fundraises to support SchoolCycle, which aims to help eliminate one of the biggest obstacles keeping girls out of school.
2.) Edgewood's Girl Up Club raised enough money to send 20 girls in Uganda to school for an entire year.
1. ) The Board of Directors for the Volunteer Pool of Highland Park baked 150 valentines cookie bags that were distributed to two of the Senior Housing Buildings in Highland Park in honor of #HP150. 