How Residents Can Help

As the Naperville community works together to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 virus, many are stepping up to aid essential workers, businesses and neighbors in need. See below for a list of some (but certainly not all) of the great work being done throughout our community. 

Naperville Kindness Network

Naperville Kindness Network offers a stream of verified resources for those who need help as well as concrete ways that people can offer help. Residents or businesses seeking assistance and those looking for volunteer opportunities are encouraged to visit the Naperville Kindness Network Facebook page to learn more. This page is administered at the direction of the Mayor’s Office.

Blood Donations

There’s a severe blood shortage and the Versiti Blood Center is looking for healthy individuals to donate blood. Prospective donors are asked to make an appointment to ensure that social distancing guidelines can be followed. Additional safety measures have been put in place to keep donors and staff safe and healthy during the blood donation process.

The Naperville Park District is hosting several donation opportunities at its Alfred Rubin Riverwalk Community Center in partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Illinois. The blood drives will take place in Community Hall, located on the upper level of the ARRCC at 305 W. Jackson Avenue in Naperville, on the following dates:

  • Saturday, July 25, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, Aug. 29, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Several other organizations, including churches, service clubs and elected officials, also are hosting blood drives in the coming months. To search for nearby drives, visit https://donate.illinois.versiti.org/donor/schedules/city and enter "Naperville" in the search bar. 

To schedule an appointment during any of these drives, call 800-7TO-GIVE, visit www.versiti.org/IL or use the Versiti Donor app.

NEF Kid Booster Crisis Fund

The NEF Kid Booster Crisis Fund, created by the Naperville Education Foundation (NEF), is an emergency fund providing immediate access to financial assistance, meals for weekends and evenings and transportation for students and families who been affected by COVID-19.

This crisis fund directly helps Naperville 203's most at-risk students, including the fifteen percent of the district's 16,500 students who qualify for free and reduced lunch and the 1% of students who are homeless. These are the families in our community who are most vulnerable to the overall impact of this virus.

Donations can be made online at www.nef203.org/donate or via checks made payable to NEF and mailed to NEF, 203 W. Hillside, Naperville, IL 60540. The Naperville Education Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 Illinois corporation.

IPEF Kid Essentials Fund

The Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF) is accepting donations to its Kid Essentials fund to help District 204 families in need. The IPEF is providing food, transportation and basic necessities. Donations can be made by visiting their website and entering "Kid Essentials Fund" in the comments box.

Volunteer Safety Precautions

If you choose to volunteer, know the risks and take appropriate precautions.

  • IF YOU ARE SICK: DO NOT go out if you are sick, not even for volunteering or donating. DO NOT volunteer if you are sick. DO NOT donate physical items if you are sick.