Volunteer

Volunteers are essential to the mission of Share Our Spare. We have volunteer opportunities at our Sharehouse for individuals, young people six years and older, families, clubs, churches, schools, service organizations, corporate teams and others. Volunteers keep the gears turning, breathe life and energy into our space, and everything they do has a direct impact on the wellbeing of our community’s children.

Share Our Spare volunteers
Share Our Spare volunteer group
Share Our Spare volunteers

Volunteer Opportunities

Open Volunteer Days

During open volunteer days, we invite individuals and groups to sort items, such as kids’ clothing and toys, inventory donations and assemble clothing kits. Markers, crayons and notepaper are provided for children to write a special note to the child or family receiving the SOS kit. Volunteers are asked to bring an item to donate. View and sign up for upcoming open volunteer days.

Private Events

You can reserve the Sharehouse for a private volunteering event that brings together your work, faith, neighborhood or school community. OR, make it a Sip N Serve night by bringing a bottle or two of wine for your adult friends to share while volunteering. Each member is asked to bring an item to donate.  Contact us to schedule your private event.

Kitting

If you can’t come to us, consider hosting a remote kitting project. You can collect supplies and assemble newborn or hygiene kits in a location that is convenient for your group.

Volunteer Calendar Volunteer Calendar

Volunteer Instructions

  • Location & Parking:  The Sharehouse is located at 3800 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood. The parking lot and entrance is on Milwaukee Ave. The door is located at the far end of the parking lot past the playground. When you enter the building, you will walk down to the end of the first hallway and make a left. Then, you will enter our space from the second door on the right. There will be signs to help lead the way.
  • What to Bring:  If you are willing to donate items we are always most in need of size 5 and 6 diapers, pull-ups, wipes, period products, baby hygiene items and bottles. You are also welcome to bring in any gently used baby items you no longer need.
  • What to Wear:  We recommend wearing closed-toed shoes and dressing in layers as the temperature of our warehouse can fluctuate.
  • Minors:  Volunteers must be at least 6 years old for most volunteer sessions. There must be at least one adult for every two children between the ages of 6 and 10.
Share Our Spare volunteers
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Alex Goodfellow

Executive Director

Alex has more than 10 years of nonprofit experience, including five years with The Little Bit Foundation in St. Louis, MO, where she directed the organization’s programming and strategic partnerships and contributed to revenue growth of more than 300%. Prior to SOS, she served as Manager of Corporate Partnerships for One Million Degrees, a Chicago-based nonprofit serving scholars in post-secondary programs. Alex also has experience in domestic violence, as well as youth advocacy. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from the George Warren Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Saint Louis University.

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Share Our Spare Bridget Rundquist

Bridget Rundquist

Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement

A native Chicagoan, Bridget is a mission-driven professional with extensive experience serving young people, working in the intersection of education and social work, and building relationships with diverse communities of stakeholders. Bridget holds a Master’s in Social Work from the George Warren Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor’s in History with minors in Education and Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She spent a semester abroad in Northern Uganda studying Post-Conflict Resolution and has spent several summers in Jerusalem with Project Harmony Israel.

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Jesseca Rhymes

Director of Operations and Development

Jesseca began her career with Apartments.com, where she worked directly with property managers and management companies. She also has served as an assistant property manager with Mercy Housing and as the assignments coordinator at DePaul University’s Department of Housing. In 2015, Jesseca founded Never Go Without, which has donated over 50,000 menstruation and incontinence supplies to individuals in need around the Chicago area. She earned her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University.

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Sade Chapman

Operations Coordinator

Sade (they/them) is a community-oriented service industry professional and administrator with a passion for cultivating care through highly personalized experiences. Sade holds a Master’s in Museum Studies from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Bachelors’ in Anthropology and International Studies from the University of Washington.

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Get In Touch

Share Our Spare
3800 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
‭773-657-3117

Email:
info@shareourspare.org

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Share Our Spare Lou

Louis Macmillan

Driver

Louis (Lou) attended Progressive Truck Driving School in Chicago where he received his Class A CDL license. After working at PGT Trucking, he decided to make a change in occupations and started with Share Our Spare in the fall of 2021. Lou says, “I love my job and our mission! I get to deliver essential items for children and meet a lot of new people doing important work throughout the community. I look forward to what’s to come each day!”

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Jarod Rhymes

Driver

Jarod Rhymes is a recent graduate from the University of Illinois-Chicago and is currently pursuing his Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy. As part-time van driver, Jarod is responsible for executing SOS donation pick-up services and facilitates many Stuff the Truck events. In addition to being a full-time student and part-time SOS employee, Jarod also is a proud member of the Illinois National Guard.

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Sade Chapman

Operations Coordinator

Sade (they/them) is a community-oriented service industry professional and administrator with a passion for cultivating care through highly personalized experiences. Sade holds a Master’s in Museum Studies from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Bachelors’ in Anthropology and International Studies from the University of Washington.

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Lauren Arbuckle

Program Coordinator

Lauren began her journey as a civic advocate for food insecurity, during her graduate practicum at Columbia College Chicago. Outside her education, she worked as a portraiture photographer and led mental wellness programs for the elderly. The desire to help and preserve individualism in communities has led her towards collaborative work. Her avid background includes media literacy and digital production. She obtained her MA in Civic Media at Columbia College Chicago and BA in Journalism and Multimedia Studies at Roosevelt University.

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