Volunteers bring Senior Care Volunteer Network’s mission to life

Looking for a way to give back to your community?

Opportunities abound in McHenry County via the Senior Care Volunteer Network.

For more than two decades, the not-for-profit’s mission has been to help adults ages 60 and better maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life by remaining in their own homes or the home of a loved one for as long as possible.

And it is volunteers who help SCVN deliver on that mission by providing transportation, delivering meals and food boxes, making friendly calls, and helping with minor home repairs.

“By finding ways to help the world around you, you’re building a stronger community to live in, raise a family and age in place,” Outreach Director Laura Turasky said. “It’s vital to consider the services that you value now and those that will be there for you in the future. There’s so many ways for individuals to support their favorite non-profits in a way that speaks to them.”

Other ways you can give back include making monetary contributions, creating a legacy of support with a planned gift, donating gently used medical equipment for SCVN’s Durable Medical Equipment Loan Closet, spreading the word about the organization, and participating in SCVN fundraisers, such as the upcoming “Life’s a Journey” scavenger hunt.

“This year we’ve switched formats from a dinner and silent auction to a family-friendly afternoon of solving clues and missions,” Outreach Director Laura Turasky said.

Set for 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, July 31, the hunt will be held throughout McHenry County. Starting lineup begins at 1 p.m., at the Senior Care Volunteer Network Office, 42 East St., Crystal Lake, with the hunt kicking off at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 per vehicle.

Proceeds from the annual fundraiser support SCVN’s no-cost programs for seniors in the McHenry County area.

During the event, participants can choose which missions they want to complete from a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ menu, and then head out into McHenry County with their team to solve clues, answer trivia, and complete photo and video missions via an app to earn points for prizes.

“As we planned the event, we wanted to remain socially aware and responsible, as there was no way to predict where we’d be in terms of the COVID-19 precautions that would need to be taken,” Turasky said. “We’d love to see the community come out and have a great time learning more about SCVN and our county.”

To register for the scavenger hunt, visit www.scvnmchenrycounty.org/LAJ2021.