Our Volunteer Department Vision Statement
To connect the community with rewarding volunteer opportunities at Marklund and to support our staff in its mission to make Everyday Life possible for our residents and students with profound disabilities.
Are you looking to make a difference in someone’s life, while adding a new meaning to your own?
Be a Marklund volunteer. Volunteers are an important part of our service to individuals with developmental disabilities. Whether you provide support to our residents, community clients or students onsite at our Geneva, Elgin and Bloomingdale campuses, help with office duties or work at a fundraising event, you are an integral part of the Marklund team. Through our volunteers, we are able to enhance the care of our residents, community clients and students, and help Marklund make everyday life possible for them. They provide many daily life experiences while freeing up staff to provide 24-hour specialized care.
Marklund began with many dedicated and compassionate volunteers helping to care for Mark William Lund, our first resident, back in the 1950s, and the many others since then.
If you are interested in volunteering, but are not sure in what capacity, Marklund’s Volunteer Department staff can help you learn about the many options. No matter what your gift, talent or skill…no matter what your age, Marklund’s staff needs you, and those we serve need you too.
Meet Nikki Osterloh, Manager of Volunteer Engagement – Geneva
“Hi, I’m Nikki! I live in Yorkville where I have 3 awesome kids and in my free time I like to attend as many concerts as possible. I’ve been working with nonprofits for over 6 years and volunteering for nonprofits my entire life. It’s my passion to connect community members who like to help and volunteer to the people who need help the most. Working at Marklund as the Manager of Volunteer Engagement is so much fun and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the most kind volunteers so far. We have a lot of great volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups, so make sure to check them out. If any of these things interest you, please fill out an application and I will be in touch to set up an orientation. We can’t wait to meet you!”
Melanie Toth, Volunteer Engagement Specialist – Elgin, Bloomingdale
“Hola, I am Melanie! While I grew up a city girl from Chicago and spending many summers in Puerto Rico, my family and I have called Elgin home for the past decade. Our home consists of 2 amazing kids, 3 adorable and crazy dogs, 2 guinea pigs, and my best friend who happens to be my husband of 17+ years. On my free time, I enjoy using my Cricut to make fun craft projects and volunteering on my children’s school and sports nonprofit board.
My introduction into a nonprofit career and volunteering in my free time began in 2008 with the arrival of our first child. We learned he would need a series of heart surgeries for his congenital heart defect. During this time, I transitioned my career from the medical profession into nonprofit . Over the years, I have enjoyed working with and learning from volunteers. During my interview at Marklund, I knew it was a great fit for my passion and skills but I was inspired by the community feel and commitment of staff members. I am honored to be a part of this team to work with current and recruit new dedicated volunteers.”
For more information about volunteering at any one of our sites, please contact:
Nikki Osterloh, Manager of Volunteer Engagement – Geneva
nosterloh@marklund.org | Phone: 630.593.5468
or
Melanie Toth, Volunteer Engagement Specialist – Elgin, Bloomingdale
mtoth@marklund.org | Phone: 224.523.7535
Marklund “Giving Tuesday” Holiday Decorating-Geneva: Dec. 3
Marklund “Giving Tuesday” Holiday Decorating-Elgin: Dec. 3
Marklund Holiday Open House-Geneva: Dec. 7
Marklund Holiday Open House-Bloomingdale: Dec. 14
Marklund Community Gift Opening Day-Geneva: Dec. 21
Marklund Community Gift Opening Day-Elgin: Dec. 21
Marklund Community Gift Opening Day-Bloomingdale: Dec. 24
Check out our social media to see all of our past volunteer photos!
Read about the volunteer experience of first graders from Grace McWayne Elementary School in their letters to Marklund below.
