Teen Volunteer Projects

Give 1 Hour, Get 1 Hour

Want to give back to your community? Need service hours for a club or organization? Volunteer with the Woodridge Public Library by completing an independent service project.

Choose up to one project a week to earn up to one service hour per week. One completed project = one service hour. Do only one project a week. Submit projects as you complete them. 

Each week that you complete a project and submit it to the library you will earn a service hour. Each quarter--summer, spring, summer, and fall--we will count up your hours and issue you a service hour letter, verifying the time you spent volunteering. You can earn one hour a week, earning a maximum of about 12 hours each quarter. If you need a preliminary note to inform your organization about your interest in our service projects, you may print, fill out, and submit this page directly to your organization.

Service Projects to Earn a Service Hour

  • Book Review – Write a review that we may feature on our website or in the library.
  • Card Making –Make handmade cards/drawings to lift the spirits of hospitalized children & others.
  • Letter Writing – Write uplifting messages to seniors or foster children.
  • Animal Shelter Toys –Create pet-friendly toys to be donated to local animal shelters.

Book recommendations can be submitted online through this page: fill out the Teen Service Form below and select Book Review in the Project box, a "fill-in the blank" book review form will appear.

Cards, letters, or toys can be brought to the library in a bag marked “Teen Service,” the date and your name, age, phone number, and email address. Fill out the Teen Project Form below before you submit any projects to the library.

Volunteer graphic depicting a heart made of words and a row of animals at the top

Volunteer Opportunities

This event is in the "Teens" group.
Registration
Library Branch: Woodridge Public Library
Room: Meeting Room AB
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Volunteering
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 1
Event Details:
Enjoy pizza, soda, treats, play games, and help complete projects for the Library - it's a party/service mashup. Earn one service hour.  ...
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Teen Volunteer Opportunity

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Full
Registration
Library Branch: Woodridge Public Library
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Volunteering
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:
Two volunteers are needed to help with Classic TV Trivia program. Receive 1.5 service hours. Report to room A/B on the second floor.  ...
This event is in the "Teens" group.
Registration
Library Branch: Woodridge Public Library
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Volunteering
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:
Two teens needed to help with the adult Craft & Sip program. Receive 1.5 service hours. Report to room A/B on the second floor.  ...
This event is in the "Teens" group.

Teen Volunteer - Spring Bingo

6:30pm - 8:30pm
Full
Registration
Library Branch: Woodridge Public Library
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Volunteering
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:
Three volunteers needed to help with the Spring Bingo program. Receive 2 service hours. Report to the off the lobby area.  ...
This event is in the "Teens" group.

TEEN PIZZA & SERVICE

12:00pm - 1:30pm
Full
Registration
Library Branch: Woodridge Public Library
Room: Meeting Room AB
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Volunteering
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Details:
We will be putting together craft kits. You will receive 1.5 volunteer hours. Pizza will be served.  ...

More Info & Guidelines

Book Review Project

We are offering volunteer hours for book reviews! 
Have you recently read a book you couldn't put down? Is there a book you read months ago, but you can’t stop thinking about it? How about a book that you felt could have been better, and you have been wanting to get those thoughts off of your chest? Write it up in a book review using the form below--when you get to the Project box just click on Book Review and a "fill in the blank" book review form will appear--and we may feature it in the library or on our website!

Guidelines

After you submit your review using the form on the teen volunteer projects page, it will be reviewed by a librarian. If your review follows the guidelines listed above and is approved, you will earn 1 hour for volunteering. Your review may be posted by the library or used in library displays and will list your first name and grade at the end of the review. 
 
Here is a sample review from a teen at another library:

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard (book 1) is the perfect blend of fantasy and dystopian. The novel follows the story of Mare Barrow, a young woman in a world divided by blood. There are commoners who are red blooded, and rulers who are silver blooded and have superpowers. Seventeen-year-old Mare is a red blood from the poverty stricken stilts. Suddenly, Mare finds herself working in the Silver palace as a servant. Despite her red blood, Mare soon discovers that she possesses a deadly power of her own. When the silver rulers find out, they hide her in plain view, claiming that she is a long-lost Silver Princess in order to maintain power. As a Silver Princess, Mare becomes engaged and begins her training to control her powers. But Mare soon learns that this is more than a world of blood. It is a world of betrayal, of lies, and of heartache.
 
I wholeheartedly love this series (especially the first book) so much. I love the constant question of who is good and who is evil as well as how Mare makes it her mission to save people like herself in later books. I also love the plot twists that seem to come out of nowhere. However, book one is definitely the best book in the four-part series. The rest of the books go downhill from there, and books three and four could have easily been combined.
 
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who loves dystopian and has enjoyed The Hunger Games and Divergent. - Rachel, Grade 10

Directions

Make a card(s) or drawing(s) according to the project guidelines below.

Complete the Teen Service Project form below--select card in the Project box--submit it, AND drop cards or drawings off at the library.

Cards or drawings should be brought to the library in a bag marked with “Teen Service Cards/Drawings” and your name and email address clearly printed.

Use your own supplies* to complete your project: recycled supplies are great to use! 

 

Project: Cards for Hospitalized Children

Make a card(s) that the library will mail to Send a Smile for Kids charity for distribution in a children’s hospital.

Cards for Children Guidelines

  • Cards must be handmade: do not use card-making computer programs, such as Hallmark, and no store-bought cards. Do not use digital images that are copyrighted.
  • Make a card and include a matching envelope. The best card/envelope size is 4 ¼ x 5 ½ inches.
  • Use 65# or heavier card stock: no construction, typing, or copy papers. Pre-made blank cards (from craft stores for example) are acceptable. 
  • Cards should be designed specifically for children ages 1-19, or make cards for children to give to parents, medical staff, etc.
  • Cards should be BLANK inside so nurses and staff can write messages to the patient and their family.
  • Keep cards upbeat (no "sorry you're sick", "get well soon", etc.). Cards are intended to be a cheery holiday or any day greeting. 
  • No glitter. Glittery stickers can be used. Collage, scrapbook, paint, ink, or other designs are welcome. Cards should be dry and securely assembled.
  • Do NOT make too many cards. Instead, make one or a small number of high-quality cards. Make the card attractive, consider using special artistic techniques. 

 

Best Card Themes:

  • Hi/Hello, Thinking of you, You're awesome, Have a great day, general happy sayings
  • Birthday
  • Halloween, fall, or Thanksgiving
  • Christmas and winter 
  • Valentine's Day
  • Easter, spring or summer 
  • Mother's Day/Father's Day, to give to the children to give to their Mom/Dad
  • No sentiment - just a well-designed cover


Project: Drawings for Senior Citizens, Service Members (Troops), or others

Make a drawing(s) that the library will mail to Color A Smile charity that distributes cheerful drawings to Senior Citizens, Troops Overseas, and anyone in need of a smile. 

Drawing Guidelines

  • Use a simple coloring book page, you can find free to print pages online, or use plain paper and draw your own cheerful drawing.
  • Color the page with crayons, colored pencils, or markers. No paint. No glitter.
  • Sign the drawing with your FIRST name only and AGE. No dates on the drawing. No last names.
  • Turn in drawings, in a bag or large envelope (recycled is fine) to the Adult & Teen Desk. Keep your drawing flat - don’t fold it. 

 

FAQ

Do I have to fill out the online Service Project form to get credit for volunteering?
YES! It is your responsibility to complete the form, submit it, AND drop your card(s) or drawing(s) off at the library.

Directions

Write a letter(s) according to the project guidelines below.
Complete the Teen Service Project form below--select Letter in the Project box--submit it, AND drop your letter(s) off at the library.
Letters should be brought to the library in a bag marked with “Teen Service Letters,” with your name and email address clearly printed.
Use your own supplies* to complete your project: recycled supplies are great to use! 

 
Letters for Seniors

Write a letter that the library may deliver to local seniors or mail to the Love for Our Elders charity for distribution to senior communities across the globe.

 

Senior Letter Writing Guidelines

  • Write a letter to a senior. 
    • Be kind & thoughtful, let the senior know that they are valued
    • Letters can be about general topics, holiday-themed or seasonal. 
    • Tell them about yourself (not your last name or contact information)
    • Maybe tell a joke or a riddle 
    • TIPS:  It may seem hard to write a letter to a stranger. Just pretend like it’s a conversation! What kinds of things would you want to talk about? What interests you?
  • Letters must be legible (large print) and handwritten
  • Exclude the date (day, month, and year). 
  • Do not reference COVID, isolation, or quarantine– focus your letter on making the recipient feel good.
  • Embrace creativity! Make your letters colorful and fun–add crosswords, puzzles, or drawings!
  • This is a one-way letter exchange, you will not receive a letter back. 
  • Provide an envelope if you can, but leave the envelope unsealed and unstamped.

 

Letters for Foster Children

Write a letter that the library will share with the Letters for Foster Children charity for distribution to children in the foster care system to bring them support, happiness, and encouragement.

  • Write a letter to a foster child.
    • Be kind & thoughtful, stay optimistic
    • You can include funny jokes or heartwarming messages. 
    • You can include art that helps uplift those in the foster care system. 
    • TIPS: Be conversational like they are your friend and use specific nouns like “you.” Think of phrases/stories that make you feel better and happy. For art, think of happiness, friendship, and other ideas that evoke a happy feeling and include encouraging messages on them 
  • Handwritten letters are more personal, and the most wanted type of letter
  • Letters and pictures may also be created online with Google Docs or  Canva
  • ​Do not say phrases like "I know what you're going through"
  • Use a greeting like "hi friend" or a simple "hi," do NOT address as "Hi foster child"
  • Avoid including dates
  • Imagine your audience as a younger foster child, or someone your own age, and stay consistent with your audience. This will allow it to end up in the right hands. 

 

FAQ

How many letters should I write? 

The number of letters you write is not as important as the quality of the letter you write. Spend one hour, take your time and be careful writing one or several letters. Ask a friend or family member to read over your letter.

 

Should I write a letter to a senior, a foster child, or both?

It is up to you, just spend one hour on your letter writing.

 

Do I have to fill out the online Service Project form to get credit for volunteering?
YES! It is your responsibility to complete the form, submit it, AND drop letters off at the library.

 

Directions

Make toys using the guidelines below. 

Complete the Teen Service Project form below--select Animal Shelter Toy in the Project box--submit it, AND drop the toys off at the library.

Toys should be brought to the library in a bag marked with “Teen Service Animal Shelter” and your name and email address clearly printed.

Use your own supplies* to complete your project: recycled supplies are great to use! 

 

Make Ping Pong Ball Cat Toys: Cats and kittens love ping pong balls to play with, and they are so easy for shelters to disinfect!

  • Collect ping pong balls.

  • Decorate! Cats don’t mind if you go to extremes and decorate every inch with pictures, patterns, words, or whatever, or if you simply write inspiring messages on each one. Please use permanent, non-toxic markers (Sharpie markers are non-toxic and come in many colors).

 

Make Sock & Tennis Ball Dog Toys

  • Collect multiple tube/crew socks.

  • Collect multiple tennis balls.

  • Stuff a ball into a sock, tie a knot as close to the ball as possible. Stuff another ball into the same sock, and tie another knot.

  • Decorate socks as desired using permanent non-toxic markers.

 

Make Tug Toys for Dogs, Cats, or Rabbits

  • Collect polar fleece or other strong fabric. You can buy yards at any fabric store or use old polar fleece blankets, old sweatshirts, or old towels.
  • For larger dogs, cut three 1-2 inches by 36 inches strips.

  • For small dogs, cut 1-inch by 12 inches strips.

  • For cats or bunnies, cut three ½ inches by 8 inches strips.

  • Knot top end, braid, then knot bottom end. Keep tightening the braid as you go!

  • You can make them specifically for cats by "charging" them with catnip. Once braided, tuck them into any bag or container with catnip. You can also push strips of newspaper into the braid for cats and rabbits to play with.

  • You can make various sizes for dogs. You can make minis, jumbos, extra thin, or super thick.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many toys should I make?
That’s up to you, keep in mind the time you spend getting your materials, and the time you spend diligently and creatively making the toys to donate.

Do I have to make all the same type of toy?
No! You can mix and match and make one of each or several of one kind. If you find other safe pet toys to make - for example, you see the project on an animal shelter website - you can make that toy, too.

If I spend more time than an hour this week working on toys can I get more service hours this week?
No. Plan on spending about an hour, because in one week, for each project you will only earn one hour. 

Where do I drop the toys off?
Bring bagged toys, clearly marked with your name and email address to the Adult & Teen Reference Desk at the Woodridge Library.

Do I have to fill out the online Service Project form to get credit for volunteering?
YES! It is your responsibility to complete the form, submit it, AND drop the toys off at the library.

Where will the toys go?
The library has worked with several animal shelters and rescues in our area and we will offer the toys to them at the end of the summer.

Teen Service Project Form