Get Involved

There are Few Things in Life as Rewarding as Helping a Special Needs Child Fulfill a Dream.

Every donation and volunteer hour helps the SEDOL Foundation remove barriers to make the world brighter and more accessible for Lake County’s special needs children.

Together, we have the power to enrich their lives with extraordinary gifts of communication, movement, freedom, and knowledge.

Your generous support provides our community with pathways to a fuller life.

You Can Get Involved with the SEDOL Foundation By

Donating Your Time and Talents

Volunteers are vital to the success of the SEDOL Foundation.

Opportunities vary in time commitment, skills required, and cover a wide variety of activities. Whether your interest lies in board or committee membership, administrative tasks, golf outings, or children’s activities, there’s something for everyone!

Donating Financially

The Special Education district cannot cover every need on its own. Your donations in support of the SEDOL Foundation bridge the gap to providing adaptive equipment programs, projects, services, and resources our community needs.

Every donation helps create new opportunities for children and families throughout Lake County.

No matter how you choose to get involved, giving a little of your time makes a real and positive difference in a child’s life.

Why Be a Volunteer for SEDOL Foundation?

When you volunteer with the SEDOL Foundation, you help the SEDOL Foundation serve the families and children who receive services from the Special Education District of Lake County (SEDOL).

The district provides services to public school children in 31 school districts throughout Lake County, from age 3-22.

Many of the families we serve have incomes of less than $35,000, so every volunteer hour makes a real and positive impact in a child’s life.

The Commitment

Volunteer opportunities are very flexible.

You can get as involved as you want, from as little as one hour per year to several days per week. Depending on the activity, you can pick the times and often the location.

Whatever your interest, being a SEDOL Foundation volunteer does require a commitment.

Our volunteers become part of planned and scheduled events, and their success is dependent on volunteers who take their responsibilities seriously.

If you are interested in volunteering for a specific role, event, or would like to know more, give us a call or fill out the contact form here to get the conversation started!

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Volunteer Opportunities with SEDOL Foundation

Volunteer with the Foundation

  • The SEDOL Foundation consists of various committees that are formed as needs arise (e.g., finance committee). Volunteer opportunities are limited to open member positions.

    Opportunities

    • Clerical and Administrative
    • Group Activities
    • Dinner Dance
    • Golf Outing
  • Clerical and administrative opportunities are very flexible and usually can be scheduled at your convenience. They might be performed at the SEDOL Foundation office, other selected sites, or in your home.

    Opportunities

    • Data entry
    • Phone calls
    • Letter writing
    • Filing
    • Computer (e.g., text formatting, creative opportunities)
    • Errands (e.g., deliveries, pick-ups)
  • Group activities are those that you coordinate with your corporation, church, club, or other organization.

    Opportunities

    • Drives (e.g., clothes, toys)
    • Landscaping (e.g., spreading woodchips, planting)
    • School maintenance (e.g., painting, cleaning, seasonal clean-up)

Volunteer for SEDOL Foundation Events

Our events come with a wide range of volunteer opportunities with time commitments varying from as little as one hour (e.g., to label brochures) to frequent meetings (e.g., to chair a committee).

Volunteers are needed during the preparation periods in the months leading up to the events and during the events themselves.

  • Every second Saturday in March, the SEDOL Foundation hosts a Dinner Dance fundraiser to celebrate major milestones, hear from key sponsors, honor special people, and enjoy music, dancing, good food and good company!

    Volunteer opportunities range from as little as one hour on the day of to frequent meetings during preparation from October to March.

    Committees

    • Silent Auction
    • Decorations
    • Hospitality/Reception
    • Breakdown
    • Ad Book
  • On the second Monday of September, the SEDOL Foundation hosts a premier golf outing fundraiser that includes contests, on-course refreshments, an evening buffet of cocktails, and other surprises.

    Volunteer opportunities range from as little as one hour on the day of to frequent meetings during preparation from June to September.

    Committees

    • Raffle
    • Event
    • Hole spotters
    • Beverage cart operators
    • Set-up/clean-up
    • Reception/check-in
  • On the third Sunday of September, the SEDOL Foundation hosts Making Strides for Special Kids, a 5K Run/Walk and Kids’ 1 Mile Sprint to raise funds for special needs children and their families in Lake County, Illinois.

    Committees

    • Event
    • Sponsorship
    • Set-up/clean-up
    • Raffle
  • Held in November, One Special Night for Very Special Kids is an evening of live music and entertainment while raising funds for programming and equipment for special needs children.

    Committees

    • Super Silent Auction
    • Raffle
    • Sponsorship
    • Decorations
    • Hospitality/Reception
    • Set-up/clean-up
  • Taking place in June, Pucks for Autism is an annual adult hockey tournament that raises awareness and funding for children and young adults impacted by autism.

    Committees

    • Volunteer Score Keepers
    • Raffle
    • Sponsorship

SEDOL Foundation At A Glance

  • 2000+ Students with Special Needs
  • 31 School Districts
  • 5 Yearly Events
  • 1 Mission

Help Special Needs Children Reach Their Full Potential by Supporting the SEDOL Foundation.