DISPATCH
DISPATCH
LOCALĀ
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Christmas Comfort for LifeChoiceĀ Ā | DEC. 5
Sign up now Ā· Delivery by December 5ā6
All Campuses
Ages 5+
A warm blanket and a handwritten note can say āyou are lovedā in a season that can feel lonely. This Christmas, sign up to bless a LifeChoice hospice patient with a new blanket and a Christmas card. Drop off your gift at your campus, or we will coordinate delivery so to can share a few moments of Christmas cheer and prayer in person. Itās a great project for families, kids, small groups, and anyone who loves writing encouragement.
Feed My Starving ChildrenĀ | DEC. 5
Saturday, December 5 Ā· 12p - 2p
FMSC Schaumburg
Ages 5+Ā
Join us for a Bridge Day at Feed My Starving Children! Join us for two hours of party-style, hands-on Kingdom work. Bring your family, friends, or small group to pack meals with Feed My Starving Children for children facing hunger around the world. Family-friendly and easy to say yes to, so let's pack this place out!Ā JOIN CODE:Ā 94XX4K
OCCĀ GOĀ DROP-OFF CREW | NOV. 16
Monday, November 16 Ā· 10:30a - 1p
Meet at Des Plaines Campus
Ages 18+ (6 volunteers needed)
Every shoebox packed across our campuses is ready to start its journey, and we need a few extra hands to get it there. Join us to load up the boxes and deliver them to the Lake Zurich drop-off center. It has proven to be a good workout in the past, so come dressed comfortably.
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*Lunch will be provided. Email Gina to sign up!
EXODUS WORLD SERVICE |Ā NOV. 21
Saturday, November 21 Ā· 1p - 4p
Heidi's House, Chicago
Ages 7+ (minimum of 12 participants to run)
Many of our newest neighbors are spending their first Christmas season in Chicago after fleeing war and persecution. Spend the day with Exodus World Service, a Christ-centered ministry that equips churches to welcome refugee families, and help make a new city feel a little more like home. This has been one of the most impactful serving opportunities to date!
Third Saturday of Every MonthĀ Ā· 9a - 12:30p
Wicker Park
Ages 18+Ā
Join Chicago Homeless Outreach to hand out care bags, packed and ready to go. Spend time with neighbors living on the streets. The leaders will prep you with everything you need to know before you head out. A pair of warm socks can open the door to a conversation, a prayer, and a reminder of hope.
Third Friday of Every MonthĀ Ā· 5p - 7p
Wicker Park
Ages 5+Ā
When Chicago turns cold, warmth canāt wait. Partnering with Chicago Homeless Outreach, weāll pack care bags of warm gear for neighbors living on our cityās streets. Bring your family or small group. Kids can sort, count, and pack right alongside you. Every bag goes out on our street outreach day and goes directly into the hands of someone who needs it.
Canāt make it? Shop or donate items from our list here.
Sign-ups open Sunday, Nov 1 Ā· Serve through Dec 19
All CampusesĀ
Ages 14+
Love details, organizing, or making things run smoothly? We need you! Help families across our community receive the Christmas theyāve wished for. We need campus captains, collection crews, and sort-and-pickup helpers at every campus. Every role is short-term, joyful, and makes a real difference.
Christmas Wish List Families:Ā |Ā DEC.
Sign up Nov 1 Ā· Gifts due Friday, Dec 18
All Campuses
Ages 5+Ā
This Christmas, help make a familyās wishes come true right here in our community. Choose a local family referred by our ministry partners and shop from the wish list theyāve shared. Drop off your gifts unwrapped, along with wrapping paper, so parents can wrap and give them to their kids. Every family stays anonymous. Itās perfect for families, small groups, and friends.
Portage Park Pantry Dairy Drop-Off | Monthly
First Saturday of every month Ā· 12:30p ā12:45p
Portage Park Pantry
All Ages
Once a month, the Portage Park Pantry opens its doors to neighbors who need a little help stretching the grocery budget. Sign up to bring a portion of the monthās dairy list and drop it off in the window before the pantry opens. No need to buy it all. Every gallon and carton helps a family leave with a fuller bag. Mark your calendar for the first Saturday and make it part of your monthly routine.
Grocery Day Dairy Drop-Off | Saturdays
SaturdaysĀ Ā· 9:15a ā 9:30a
Randhurst Campus
All Ages
Every Saturday, Grocery Day puts fresh food on the tables of neighbors in our community, and dairy is one of the things families need most. Sign up to bring part of this weekās dairy list and drop it off before doors open. You donāt have to cover the whole list. Pick up a portion, and together weāll fill the cooler. Itās a simple weekly rhythm, and itās perfect for families and small groups who want to take turns.
Meal Service & Fellowship | New Life CentersĀ
Tuesdays Ā· 4p ā7p
Humboldt Park
Ages 18+Ā
For many families, this season brings more strain than celebration. A warm meal is a gift, and so is someone who sits down beside them. As a serving volunteer, youāll serve dinner, then take a seat at the table to share conversation, build relationships, and pray over families who come through the doors. This is the kind of evening that stays with you.
Meal Prep Team | New Life Centers
Tuesdays Ā· 12p ā 3p
Humboldt Park
Ages 18+Ā
Every meal served this season starts in the kitchen. Join the team preparing food for families at New Life Centers, a meal made with care for people walking through a hard season.
Requirements: A current food handler certification and experience cooking for large groups.
Christmas Cards for Teen Parents: Kindred Life | Dec.
Drop off Dec 1ā13
All Campuses
Teens & Adults
For a young mom or dad facing an unexpected pregnancy, Christmas can feel lonely and uncertain. Kindred Life walks alongside teen parents, encouraging them to choose life and supporting them as they prepare for whatās ahead. Many donāt know Jesus yet, and a card from someone who is praying for them can be a powerful reminder that they are loved, they are not alone, and a whole church family is cheering them on. Parents, if you remember what those early days felt like, your words could mean the world.
Writing tips: Keep it warm and personal, like āWeāre praying for you and your baby this Christmasā or āYou are stronger than you know.ā Please sign with your first name only.Ā Starting December 1, look for the card boxes at your campus.
Christmas Cards for First Responders | Dec.
Drop off Dec 1ā13
All Campuses
All Ages
This Christmas, police officers, firefighters, and paramedics across our communities will be on shift so the rest of us can celebrate safely. Write a handwritten card thanking them for running toward danger on our behalf, and let them know theyāre being prayed for. Several first responders call The Bridge home, and theyāll help get your cards into the right hands. Starting December 1, look for the card boxes at your campus.
LOCALĀ
IMPACT STORIES
Where have you
seen
God at work?
ā
Every time you serve, you get a front-row seat to what God is doing in our neighborhoods.
ā
A conversation over a meal.Ā A family leaving the pantry hopeful. A quiet moment that stayed with you. We'd love to hear it.Ā
Share Your Story
Your story could be the one that helps someone else say yes to serving.
Small momentsĀ
matter.
You donāt need a polished story.
Start with something that stayed with you.
ā
A moment that surprised or moved you
ā
A connection with a neighbor or fellow volunteerā
Ā
A photo of your team serving together
ā
A ministry or community need we should know about
ā
We may share your story or photo in an upcoming GO Dispatch.
A conversation over a meal.Ā A family leaving the pantry hopeful. A quiet moment that stayed with you. We'd love to hear it.Ā
Testimonials
"We had such a wonderful time connecting with people, talking about God, and having the opportunity to share our stories and faith."
Christina P.
Boxwood BashĀ
Ashley C.
"I was super encouraged to see people from all four campuses and all different ages come out to serve."
Exodus World Service
Myrell R.
"We got to meet each other from Des Plaines, Randhurst, and Northshore Churches. Everyone was helpful and excited for the event in our team."
John Jay Elementary School, Supply Drive