Many local organizations, including the Salvation Army, need volunteers. | Salvation Army/YouTube
Many local organizations, including the Salvation Army, need volunteers. | Salvation Army/YouTube
This holiday season doesn't have to be all about rushed shopping and parties; it can also be about helping those in need.
There are plenty of organizations in Mattoon that need volunteers during the holidays and year-round, according to the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce. These organizations range from the Coles County Humane Society to the Coles County Historical Society and include the arts, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, and many others.
One organization is called One Stop Community Christmas. "One Stop is a collaborative effort of many different area organizations (civic groups, schools, businesses, aid organizations, churches, sororities, health care providers, etc.) to come together at Christmas time and provide help and hope to families from seven counties during the holiday season," the organization's website said. "One Stop is an effort to band together and help even more families who need it while making sure to provide a really positive experience for everyone involved. One Stop is about the power of partnership to make a difference in the community."
Volunteer opportunities include:
Big Brothers and Big Sisters, 825 18th St., Charleston, IL 61920; (217) 348-8741
Camp New Hope, 1364 County Rd. 100 East, Neoga, IL 62447; (217) 895-2341
Catholic Charities, 4217 Dewitt Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 235-0425
Charleston Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 614, Charleston, IL 61920; charlestonilkiwanis@gmail.com
Coles County Historical Society, 1718 Broadway Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 235-6744
Coles County Humane Society, 6818 N. County Rd. 1120 East, Charleston, IL 61920; (217) 345-4112
Community Blood Services, 700 Broadway Ave. East, Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 367-2202
Douglas-Hart Nature Center, 2204 Dewitt Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 235-4644
Fit-2-Serve, 700 S. 5th Pl., Mattoon, IL 61938; (708) 829-7324
Habitat for Humanity, 990 W. State St., Charleston, IL 61938; (217) 348-7063
The Haven, 2017 Broadway Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938; (217)234-7237
HOPE of East Central Illinois, 1927 18th St., Charleston, IL 61920; (217)345-4300
Mattoon Community Food Center, 600 Moultrie Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938; (217)258-8321
Mattoon Emerging Leaders, 1518 Broadway Ave., Mattoon, IL; mattoonemergingleaders@gmail.com
Mattoon In Motion, 700 Broadway Ave. East, Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 238-8519
Mattoon Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 923, Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 234-8022
Mattoon Public Library, 1600 Charleston Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 234-2621
Mattoon Rotary Club, 309 Lafayette Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 259-3130
Mattoon Tourism and Arts, 1718 Broadway Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938; 217-258-6286; tourism@mattoonillinois.org, arts@mattoonillinois.org, www.mattoonartscouncil.org
One Stop Community Christmas, (217) 234-3915; sdowell@mattoonymca.org
Salvation Army, 1300 Richmond Ave., Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 234-3915
Special Olympics Fall Festival (SOFF) and EIU Event SOILL Region 1, 520 Jackson St., Charleston, IL 61920; (217) 273-4485; vduncan@soill.org
United Way of Coles County, 114 N. 16th St., Mattoon, IL 61938; (217) 234-8022
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