The village of Lincolnwood is looking for local youth to sign up to help shovel snow and do other small tasks for seniors and persons with disabilities, encouraging the youngsters to sign up for the Rescue Rangers program.
For nearly two decades the village of Lincolnwood has highlighted local youth volunteerism through the Rescue Rangers program, which is open to middle and high schoolers.
According to Assistant Village Manager Madeline Farrell, Lincolnwood began Rescue Rangers in winter 2005 after Public Works Department staff advised village leaders that Public Works crews were no longer able to clear snow from the entry of residential driveways after plowing public roadways.
“There was an influx of seniors living in their homes who needed help shoveling out that portion of the driveway,” Farrell told Pioneer Press.
She explained that then-Village President Gerald Turry spoke to students at Lincoln Hall Middle School before a holiday music performance in 2005, and offered them an opportunity to learn skills – including communication and self-discipline – and receive a letter of recommendation from him for volunteering.
In a post on the village website asking for Rescue Rangers volunteers, officials state that seventh- to 12th-graders are being sought to assist senior and disabled residents who lack the physical or financial ability to complete daily tasks such as shoveling snow.
“One of the program’s objectives, which I believe it achieves, is to develop a greater sense of community by creating the sense that the village can help the world by solving real-life problems and helping youth develop leadership and problem-solving,” Farrell said.
Volunteers, who she said do not need to be Lincolnwood residents, may come from Lincoln Hall or Niles West High School, which draws from Lincoln Hall; Lincoln Junior High School and Fairview South School, which are both in Skokie; Culver School in Niles and Park View School in Morton Grove.
“Some other common requests are animal walking, so dog walking on those colder or snowy days when it might be dangerous to be outside. The other popular one is removing and replacing the garbage and recycling bins on garbage day,” Farrell said.
According to Farrell, both Rescue Rangers recipients and volunteers have to let the village know annually if they want to be part of the year-round program.
“There’s fluctuation from year to year. In that first year, there were 17 Rescue Rangers,” Farrell said.
She said that in 2023, six senior residents requested assistance and there were two Rescue Rangers. But for 2024, two seniors have requested assistance and 11 Rescue Rangers have signed up thus far.
“Usually we see an influx right before a snowstorm,” said Farrell about when potential recipients contact the village for assistance from Rescue Rangers.
According to the website, Rescue Rangers volunteers may charge $10 per hour for their services and the exact amount is negotiated between the resident and the student.
“No money is handled by the village,” said Farrell, who added that Mayor Jesal Patel will write a letter of recommendation for Rescue Rangers volunteers upon request.
Local middle school or high school students interested in volunteering for Rescue Rangers, or Lincolnwood senior or disabled residents seeking assistance with daily tasks, may register via the online application on the village website, send an email to cdick@lwd.org or call 847-745-4717.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelancer.
