Volunteers Sworn In To Help Those At Risk For Coronavirus

TINLEY PARK, IL — Several dozen residents in Tinley Park have volunteered to help those in town most at-risk for the new coronavirus by delivering their groceries, medications and other needed items. The village itself has created an official volunteer committee that's an arm of the Office of Emergency Management, trustee Michael Glotz said.

Tim Janecyk came up with the idea to help residents in need when the crisis started, and 11 of the volunteers were sworn in as official EMA members, Glotz said. Overall, more than 100 people have signed on to volunteer in some way, Janecyk said.

"I first thought about how to help those on my block, but then we thought it would be something to do city-wide," Janecyk said.

As of Tuesday, group member Nancy O'Conner said volunteers have shopped and delivered for 30 senior citizens and others in need. The volunteers are organized by police beat, and anyone who needs help should email their name, address, phone number and police beat to COVID19inquiry@TinleyPark.org so a volunteer within that police beat can come and help.

O'Conner and Janecyk have been in charge of answering calls and coordinating efforts. The effort started with a "phone bank" that included 8,900 calls made to village residents in the span of the week.

The "main core" of people leading the effort, organizers say, are Janecyk, O'Conner, Glotz, Assistant Village Manager Pat Carr and Colleen Sullivan.

O'Conner said the Sam’s Club location in Tinley Park has donated 225 rolls of toilet paper, 90 rolls of paper towels and 60 containers of Clorox wipes to help local senior citizens through the effort. They have also donated a dozen $50 gift cards to be used for the seniors in need, she said.

Helping those in need has been rewarding, Janecyk said.

"We had one older lady who gave us a full shopping list and stack of coupons," he said. "We've been able to help most people and have not said no to anybody."