Though the Off The Street Club welcomes your financial support, we also cherish your personal involvement and your donation of time and energy. So come meet the kids and join us as we build a better community with and for Chicago's kids.
3rd Thursdays
What are you doing Thursday? Shooting baskets? Making macaroni art? How about a game of checkers? We realize you don't have a lot of spare time, but it doesn't take a lot of time to make a huge difference at OTSC. You won't believe how good it feels to share an evening with the OTSC kids in the spirit of brotherhood and fun.
On the third Thursday of every month (October through May), the Chicago Advertising Federation and OTSC sponsor a bus ride from downtown Chicago to the Club. It's a great opportunity to make a new friend, share a meal, play a game or just hang out. You can volunteer to help kids with anything from computer skills to hockey skills. Come only once or come to every Third Thursdays and bring your friends. You never know, you might find yourself collecting hugs and promising to be back next month!
The bus leaves from 401 N. Michigan Avenue at 5:45 p.m. (plan to eat dinner at the Club) and returns at about 10 p.m. RSVP to the Third Thursdays Hotline at 312-242-1211.
Third Thursdays is coordinated by Stefanie Janec of MindShare.
Volunteer! The New Horizons Program
The New Horizons Program literally opens up the world to busloads of OTSC kids throughout the year. Volunteer leaders organize monthly trips to places of interest and learning (October through May). Kids see their first live play or their first pro game. They experience their first visit to major museums and exhibits. Their worlds and horizons are expanded with each experience. New Horizons outings are typically scheduled for Saturday afternoons between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Recent outings have included a visit to Commonwealth Edison's Power House, ice skating at Grant Park, pizza and bowling, a visit to the Adler Planetarium, and a tour of O'Hare Airport.
Volunteers from the Chicago Advertising Federation join with the children for these wonderful trips and tours. For additional information, please contact OTSC at 773-533-3253 or Kindra Cleory at 312-729-5923.
Volunteer! Camp Mathieu
Become a volunteer camp counselor and help with the three-legged race at Camp Mathieu just once and you'll see why the kids count the days until this special event. Or help whip up old favorites or cook something new at The Kitchen Club. Or share your skills in The Photo Club or our love of the arts through music programs and acting class.
You can share your literacy knowledge with Time To Read or share your game tickets and watch 9 innings through the eyes of the kids.
Think you have something you'd like to share with the kids at OTSC? Call Ralph or Arnett at the Off The Street Club today, 773-533-3253.
Volunteer! The Time to Read Program
The Time-to-Read Program brings 50 youngsters together with 50 trained and devoted volunteer tutors every Wednesday. They meet at the Time-Life headquarters in Chicago for this superb one-on-one reading-enhancement program that's conducted throughout the school year. Students in the program not only get magazines delivered to their homes, but they also benefit from the value of the mentorship bonds that grow between student and tutor. These important relationships add crucial guidance to youngsters' lives.
For additional information, contact Mary Beth Chianakas, 312-321-7992.
Donate
The Off The Street Club takes no federal or state money. It is entirely run on private donations from people like you. There are three ways to get involved:
Donate money
Please consider making a financial donation in any amount.
Wish List
We appreciate all the wonderful donations we get from so many generous people and organizations, but there are always things we can use and need – countless items we could put to good use, including musical instruments, games, computer equipment, and sports equipment. If you think you have something we might want, please ask us!
Attend Our Events
Every year the Off The Street Club hosts several events that not only raise the money that keeps us going, but awareness of the Club, its kids and its necessity. So please join us at any or all of our exciting events!
- Thank you everyone who attended and supported our Holiday Luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel. It was a grand success! Special thanks (and, of course, hugs) to Edelman, our host this year, for all its time, effort and creativity. Click here to learn if you’re one of our 2007 raffle winners! Please join us next year at our 2008 Holiday Luncheon!
- Bozo Ball: The Bozo Ball is one of Chicago's most inspirational charitable traditions! Hosted every May by WGN Television, it includes a pre-ball carnival, silent and live auctions, a great dinner, and entertainment. It's Black Tie and Red Nose for a magical evening that will help to make dreams come true for deserving children throughout the year. Check back soon for information on the 2008 Bozo Ball!
- Swing for the Kids: The 6th annual Off The Street Club "Swing For The Kids" Women's Golf Classic and Instructional Clinic was held on September 10 and successfully raised over $150,000 for the girls' programs at OTSC. Women from around Chicago enjoyed a challenging day of golf on the beautiful greens at Rolling Green Country Club, a cocktail reception that included an awards ceremony and live auction. This year's event again featured Annika Sorenstam. Ms. Sorenstam, who has won more LPGA tournaments in the 1990s than any other woman, instructed a golf clinic alongside Illinois Section PGA Women Golf Professionals. Check back soon for news about the 2008 event!
Paypal
There are two ways you can make online donations to OTSC by using PayPal. You can either make a one-time donation or you can schedule a recurring donation. The following links will take you to our secure donation site on PayPal.com.
For a one-time donation for any amount you desire please click here. To schedule recurring donations for either $25, $50, or $100 per month please click one of the following:
One Time
$25/month
$50/month
$100/month
Thank you in advance for your generosity.