Community Service

We may have strong emotional ties to State College, but our lives and homes are now here in greater metropolitan Chicago. As proud Penn Staters, we seek to enrich our families and communities by volunteering our time and our talents. The Community Service Committee organizes several events each year so alumni can use their experience and skills to benefit worthy causes of our region.

THON 2008
THON 2008 is in the works! We have expanded to two fundraising events this year, so save these dates!
- Wine & Cheese Party on Saturday, February 2 in the west suburbs (Hinsdale)
- Open Bar on Saturday, February 23 in the city (Flounder's)

Click here for more details!

We have some great items that will be auctioned off/raffled including:
- Two tickets next season to see Penn State face Michigan in Happy Valley
- Two tickets next season to see Penn State face Rose Bowl representatives Illinois in Happy Valley
- An autographed Joe Paterno football
Keep your eyes open for the full details in our upcoming chapter newsletters, Social/Service Email blasts, and Winter Events postcard!

Looking to get involved? Want to represent Penn State proudly? Right now we're recruiting for THON volunteers. No experience is necessary, and we’re looking for multiple people who will take on these roles:
o Marketing & Communications
o Events Coordination
o Procurement

Contact E.J. (ekim0422@yahoo.com) or Carrie Konosky (carriekonosky@gmail.com) to get involved today!

Thanks to our Thanksgiving volunteers!
Thanks for all those who came out for Penn State's Thanksgiving at Deborah's Place! Volunteers served over 20 ladies and truly gave them something to be thankful for! The chapter had eight hard working volunteers (well, maybe seven… Service Chair E.J. Kim just stood around barking out orders and taking pictures), who completed various shifts from 10 AM to 6 PM. It was a truly rewarding experience for all involved!

Big Ten Chicago Food Drive Challenge Results
From the files of the “You've got to be kidding me department”: we lost twice to Michigan State in one day! First on the football field and then in the food drive where MSU Chicago edged out PSU Chicago by a score of 350 items to 277 items. We did beat Michigan (finally!) who came in third with 216. The local Indiana club had 50 and the Ohio State club apparently cannot count (just kidding - they did not report).

But it doesn’t matter who won or lost, because we know the real winners of the food drive were the recipients of the donations. For those recipients, the holiday season will better because of the effort and heart of the Big Ten alumni in Chicago!

Special thanks to Nicole Windsor who organized this entire event for all the clubs! .

Volunteer at Alumni for Public Schools
Do you like working with children? Alumni for Public Schools, a not-for-profit organization, coordinates partnerships between individual Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago chapters of college and alumni associations from around the world.

Alumni clubs can choose to work with elementary or high school age students and can participate in a range of activities with varied levels of commitment. Activities can range from one-time events (including Career Days, Science/History Fair judging and field trips) to ongoing events (including tutoring, mentoring and helping with the college application process). The types of activities and level of involvement are completely up to you and the Penn State alumni club. If you are interested in learning more, contact EJ at service@psuchicago.com or (267) 625-1774.

Volunteer at the Notebaert Nature Museum
Spread Your Wings! Volunteer at the Notebaert Nature Museum! Learn about the natural world, meet new people and inspire visitors to care for nature and the environment. Whether you have several hours a week or just a few hours a month, we offer a range of positions to match your interests and availability.

Your talents. Our needs. A natural attraction. The Notebaert Nature Museum is located just off Lake Shore Drive at Fullerton in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. Visit naturemuseum.org for a volunteer application and for more information or call Jennifer Labows, Volunteer and Intern Coordinator, at (773) 755-5141.

If interested in joining the Service Sub-Committee, please email EJ at service@psuchicago.com.