Whether celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or just "the holidays," it's simply that time of the year when many people just want to do something nice for someone else.

So where do you go? What should you do? How can you help? Where do you start?

In doing a little research, a person can find a lot of volunteering opportunities to cover their needs and time constraints.

Start with the Internet. Many charitable organizations have Web sites with information about volunteering, and a wish list of things to donate or how to offer time or services. Here are a few Web sites that link to hundreds of charities in and around La Salle County and the Illinois Valley as well as all of Illinois:

• www.charity-charities.org. Enter a town or city where you want to volunteer and click on the box to the right that reads "Search The Charity Vault" and it will generate a list of charities in that town.
• The Charity Directory of Illinois at www.illinois.uscity.net/Charity.
• For a list of food pantries, see www.feedingillinois.org.

These sites have a wealth of information about the charitable organizations, phone numbers and other pertinent contact information.

Some phone books have a list for organizations and clubs. Check with a library for information. Check with churches to see if they have a list of groups needing help or donations. They also may be working on a program or project that needs help even for people who are not members of the congregation.

Another place to look is schools. Many are planning holiday events to help the needy, nursing homes or hospitals.

Food pantries also need donations and volunteers year-round, but with winter weather and the holidays a little extra help may be just what they need.

Volunteers at the Community Food Basket in Ottawa say they always need help with fundraising, mailings and packing boxes for Ottawa seniors. This food pantry serves approximately 2,400 clients. Among some of the most needed items they said are cereal and jelly. Of course, monetary gifts are always appreciated.


La Salle County food pantries