Thousands of Chicagoans are expected to take part in National Volunteer Week this April 16-21. One Good Deed Chicago, a City-sponsored campaign promoting volunteerism and furthering civic engagement by residents, is coordinating several projects to celebrate volunteerism and service in the city and encourage more people to get involved. Dozens of service projects are being coordinated across the city by One Good Deed Chicago as well as many of Chicago’s non-profit organizations. They include:

• Earth Day 2012 Resource Fair: On Friday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., City departments and organizations will distribute literature and have interactive displays for visitors and City Hall employees for the Earth Day 2012 Resource Fair.

The City is also recognizing Saturday, April 21 as a Citywide Day of Service, in honor of Earth Day. It is also Global Youth Service Day. Activities on this day include:

• City’s Annual Clean & Green: This city project, which has existed for more than 20 years, brings community groups and neighbors together clean and beautify neighborhoods citywide. To sign up, residents call 3-1-1 and are provided with materials. The White Sox Volunteer Corps will be among participating groups.
• City Year Chicago’s School Service Project: City Year Chicago will host a service project at Howland Charter Elementary School. Volunteers can register by visiting cityyear.org/chicago.

In 2010, Chicago launched One Good Deed Chicago. It includes a volunteer-matching site OneGoodDeedChicago.org.