Flossmoor is inviting area residents to make a difference in their community by participating in the village’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, Jan. 19. This is the 11th year for this signature volunteer event. 

In 2020, the Day of Service was honored as a finalist in the Illinois Governor’s Hometown Service Award program.

“Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service comes to life through the meaningful projects taking place across the Village of Flossmoor,” said Stephanie Wright, community engagement manager. “From hands-on volunteer projects to fulfilling donations from a wish list, these service projects reflect our shared pride in serving others and strengthening the community we call home.”

Volunteers needed Jan. 19

• Irwin Community Center, 18120 S. Highland Ave., Homewood, to donate blood with Versiti Blood Center. Appointments are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule here. The project site is organized by the Chi Lambda Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Lambda Tau Omega Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
• Serena Hills Elementary School, 255 Pleasant Drive, Chicago Heights, to create Valentine’s Day cards for senior citizens and homebound individuals from 9:30 to 11 a.m. All craft supplies will be provided at this drop-in event.
• Flossmoor Hills Elementary School, 3721 Beech St., to create thank you cards for area U.S. veterans from 9 to 10:30 a.m. All craft supplies will be provided at this drop-in event.
• Flossmoor Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road, to create yard signs of peace, love and community from 1 to 2:30 p.m. with the Flossmoor Public Art Commission. All craft supplies will be provided at this drop-in event.
• Sand Ridge Nature Center, 15891 Paxton Ave., South Holland, to clean up a nature preserve from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or to remove invasive species of plants from 10 a.m. to noon for those who want more active involvement. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. The project site is organized by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Sign up is available by emailing [email protected].
• Irons Oaks, 20000 S. Western Ave., Olympia Fields, to work on various nature projects from 10 a.m. to noon. The project site is organized by Homewood-Flossmoor Park District and Irons Oaks. Register at www.HFParks.com.
• South Suburban Humane Society, 21800 Central Ave., Matteson, to make no-sew blankets for shelter dogs from 10 a.m. to noon and to read to shelter cats from 2 to 6:30 p.m. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Register at www.SouthSuburbanHumane.org.
• Heather Hill Elementary School, 1439 Lawrence Crescent, Flossmoor, to make no-sew blankets for Project Kennedy and to pack lunches for South Suburban PADS. This project site is organized by You Matter 2. Register at www.YouMatter2.org.
• Western Avenue Elementary School, 940 Western Ave., Flossmoor, to make no-sew blankets for Restoration Ministries and organize donations from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This project site is organized by the Monarch Cities Chapter of Jack and Jill of America. Register here.

Donations needed

• New and used sporting equipment for Leveling the Playing Field is being collected by the Flossmoor Firebirds baseball team and the Flossmoor Hurricanes softball team now through Monday, Jan. 19, at the Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., and on Monday, Jan. 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Flossmoor Park’s Park Place, 2523 Flossmoor Road.
• Boxes of feminine hygiene products can be brought to Flossmoor Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road, now through Monday, Jan. 19, for Suburban Access. This drive is coordinated by the Flossmoor Service League.
• Packaged, store-bought baked goods and new pairs of socks and cold-weather accessories are being collected by Plan4Success for those in need and for South Suburban service agencies, such as hospitals, clinics and 911 centers. Donation boxes are currently available through Sunday, Jan. 19, at Flossmoor Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road. 
• Donations of non-perishable foods, hygiene products, no-sew blankets and winter coats are being accepted at Western Avenue School, 940 Western Ave., Flossmoor, by Jack and Jill of America Inc. Monarch Cities Chapter on Monday, Jan. 19, from 10 to 11 a.m.
• New winter gloves, hats, mittens, coats, scarves and socks will be collected at 19642 Governors Highway, Ste. 106, Flossmoor, by Little Fannies Heavenly Housing from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19, to be donated to the unhoused.
• New baby outfits, jackets, hooded towels and onesies are being collected now through Monday, Jan. 19, at Flossmoor Village Hall, 2800 Flossmoor Road, for Aunt Martha’s Teen Parenting Program. This drive is being organized by the National Council of Jewish Women – South Cook Section.
• Healthy, non-perishable food items for the Center for Food Equity in Medicine are being collected at Dunning’s Market, 1050 Sterling Ave., Flossmoor, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19. Food is provided to individuals undergoing cancer treatments and their families.
• New and gently used children’s books are being collected by the H-F High School Boys Wrestling team from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Jan. 19, at the Homewood-Flossmoor High School Fieldhouse, 800 Governors Highway, Flossmoor.

Special happenings

• The Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is hosting a community workshop for adults that will include a speaker, lunch, refreshments and giveaways. From Service to Solidarity: Tools for Inclusive Dialogue & Community Action will enhance community engagement by creating an intentional space for education, reflection and shared learning, guided by Tracey M. Crawford, a professional speaker with experience in equity, inclusion and community engagement. The workshop will be held at the Flossmoor Public Library, 1000 Sterling Ave., from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 19. Space is limited to 75 participants. Register here.
• At the Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School Fieldhouse, the H-F Boys’ Wrestling team will be reading with grade school students for Readers are Leaders from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, Jan. 19. 
• A free screening of the local film, “A More Perfect Place: The Story of Flossmoor,” will be shown at the Homewood Science Center, 18022 Dixie Highway, on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m. Admission to the film will be soup-related non-perishable food items (boxes or cans of broth, dry soup mixes, canned soups, seasonings, rice, crackers), which will be donated to the Center for Food Equity in Medicine. Register in advance at www.FlossmoorHistoryBook.com.
• The Flossmoor Community Church, 2218 Hutchison Road, will host a “Do Good Weekend” Jan. 17-19 at its campus. On Saturday, Jan. 17, the church is hosting a Versiti Blood Drive from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are available here. Donors are asked to bring boxes of pasta or paper products for the Center for Food Equity in Medicine. On Sunday, Jan. 18, the community can enjoy performances by local Gospel choirs in the church from 1 to 2:30 p.m., followed by a free meal. On Monday, Jan. 19, volunteers will be needed to help organize food donations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For complete details on happenings and for all listed service opportunities, click here or email [email protected].