Operation Warm Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Operation Warm Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:
I recently received the email below from our partners at Operation Warm. Although the structure and format for these events this year will reflect our current pandemic situation, the need for volunteer support is still very much available. As in past years Operation Warm will also be working with Chicago Public Library as well, so stay tuned...
Tom
I am sending this email to you because you and your group have demonstrated an interest in the past in volunteering for Operation Warm events. Next week, we will be holding or 13th annual event with the Chicago Housing Authority, with 7,500 children living in public housing receiving a new Operation Warm coat. This year, to accommodate public health guidelines, this event will take place over 5 days at the UIC Pavilion. Most of the needed volunteers are coming from CHA staff and corporate sponsors, but we still need more volunteers.
Details are outlined below and a link to the sign up form is at the end of the email. Let me know if you have any questions.
OPERATION WARM – Begins Wednesday, October 21, 2020
The 13th annual CHA Operation Warm event will happen this year! Distribution of brand new winter coats for children in CHA households will take place over four days at the UIC Pavilion.
Just over 3,700 CHA heads of household have registered online to participate in this event. To maintain social distancing and not exceed 75 people inside of the Pavilion at one time, each resident has selected a date and one-hour timeframe for picking up their coats.
Location
UIC Pavilion/Credit 1 Arena (new 2020 location!)
525 S. Racine
Set-Up Day
Tuesday, October 20th 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Coat Distribution Days
Wednesday, October 21st 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday, October 22nd 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Friday, October 23rd 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday, October 24th 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
To successfully proceed with this event, volunteers are needed. Each shift is 3 ½ hours and there are 3 shifts per day. You are welcome to sign up for one or more shifts over the four days in one of the following areas:
Check-In – this activity will take place outside while residents are in line to check IDs and paperwork
Registration Look-Up – looking up individual coat orders on laptops for residents without paperwork
Directional Aides/ADA Assist – these individuals will greet everyone who enters the Pavilion and direct residents to the coat distribution area or registration look-up. They will also retrieve coat orders from the Pavilion floor for residents with limited mobility.
Coat Distribution – Fulfilling individual coat orders and providing to residents
Tote Bags – distribution of tote bags containing sponsor giveaways as each resident exits
Important Safety Precautions
- Every individual (residents and volunteers) will have their temperature taken and answer questions regarding any Covid-19 exposure
- Masks will be required of everyone outside and inside of the Pavilion
- Face shields and gloves will be available for all staff working the event
- Sneeze guards will be in place in the registration look-up and coat distribution areas
- Only one adult per CHA household will be allowed entry; residents are strongly encouraged to not bring other children
Free parking for volunteers and residents will be available across the street from the UIC Pavilion in Lot 1B located at 1139 W. Harrison. Individually packed breakfast snacks and bagged lunches will be provided for volunteers along with bottled water. Those who sign up will be invited to a virtual orientation the week prior to the event.
Deadline to register to volunteer is Wednesday, October 14, 2020.
Click here to sign-up for one or more shifts between October 21st – 24th
Rich Lally, Partnership Director