Make A Difference Day Returns to Winnetka on October 3

The Volunteer Center of New Trier Township invites residents to turn unwanted belongings into meaningful community support during Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Indian Hill Train Station parking lot in Winnetka.

Make A Difference Day is a large, community-wide donation event that brings multiple nonprofit organizations together in one convenient location. Residents simply gather items they no longer need, load them into their cars and drive through the event. Volunteers will help direct vehicles, sort donations and load items for the participating organizations.

Instead of throwing away useful belongings or making several separate donation trips, community members can support a variety of causes in one morning. This year's participating organizations will collect items including tools, art and craft supplies, pet supplies, gently used household goods and durable medical equipment.

Participating organizations include Windy City ToolBank, Border Tails Rescue, North Shore Exchange, along with additional nonprofit partners serving people, animals and communities throughout the Chicago area.

“Make A Difference Day shows how simple it can be to help,” said Bridget Lewis, executive director of The Volunteer Center. “An item sitting unused in one home may be exactly what a nonprofit needs to serve a family, support a program or stretch its limited resources.”

The event also gives local young people an opportunity to take an active role in community service. Members of The Volunteer Center's Junior Board and seventh- and eighth-grade Service Club will help staff the event, welcome donors and organize the collected items.

Residents are encouraged to begin sorting through closets, garages, basements and storage areas now. Donations should be clean, usable and appropriate for the organization accepting them.

Make A Difference Day will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 3, at the Indian Hill Train Station parking lot in Winnetka. Partner trucks will be on site to receive and transport donations.

Follow The Volunteer Center on Instagram at @volunteercenterhelps for event updates, donation guidelines and information about participating organizations or visit VolunteerCenterHelps.org.