Lakeside Missions
Lee Elementary
Lakeside is proud to partner alongside Lee Elementary School by providing ongoing support and encouragement throughout the school year through various activities. In addition to our food-pantry for the students and student families we also encourage our members to be active in the group and one-on-one activities which occur in the school.
On-premise volunteer opportunities
To volunteer for any of the following "on-site" activities call the office @ 217-585-5828 and ask for Jessica Wilson to arrange scheduling and to answer and detailed questions about a particular program.
- Lunch Buddies - Come and have lunch with a student, lunch periods run between 11:30am and 1pm. It's an opportunity to just sit and talk to youth or to just listen to what they are doing.
- Arts helper - The arts area needs help with cutting and laminating art projects.
- Morning Greeter - Volunteers help meet students in the morning, arrival begins at 8:40am.
- "Real Men Read" - The school, and district #186, is trying to impress that reading isn't gender specific and encourage reading upon males. This is a great opportunity to step forward in a first or next step in exhibiting "Christian manhood". To participate in this program you must fill out the following District form: Real Men Read Volunteer Interest Form
- General Reading Program - All genders are welcome to read to the students
Answers to questions we got for on-premise volunteering
Q. Is there any age restrictions for On-premise volunteering?
A. On-premise volunteering is limited to those high school age and older, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Donation volunteer opportunities
While we will always be collecting for the Lee Food Pantry we also plan on coordinating specific food drives and "specialty" supply drives in conjunction with Lee. Because it's flu and cold season they are in need of specific cleaning supplies. In response to the need we are starting a DRIVE to collect specific items now and plan to deliver all donations on March 23rd.
Cold and Flu drive item needs are:
- Kleenex
- Disinfecting Wipes
- Baby Wipes
Regular food pantry recommendation donations are:
- Canned Vegetables (any)
- Canned soups (any)
- Canned Tuna
- Canned Ham
- Canned or individual tubs of fruit (any)
- Instant oatmeal packets
- Ramen Noodles
- Powered Milk
- Macaroni and Cheese cups (no milk needed kind)
- Peanut Butter / Jelly
- Cereal
- Chili or Stew
- Just add water Pancake mix
- Pasta Sauce and Pasta
- Pop-tarts
Any non-refrigerated, non-perishable items. Just remember that often these household don't have dairy items or anything to mix with items to make them so all inclusive menu items (aka just add water) are best. Easy open is also preferred (example pop-top lids), but not essential.
Answers to question we got for donation volunteering
Q. Do they have any "donor" programs?
A. The do not have a donor program, however classroom supplies are always appreciated.
Q. Do they have needs where an entire family could help?
A. She does not know of any yet. However, she is sure there will be in the future and will reach out with any needs.
Q. What "food-bank" style donations are in need?
A. While any non-refrigerated items are always welcome, see the list above for recommendations.
Q. Are there any specific donations in need right now?
A. Yes, as mentioned we will be doing a cold and flu supply drive and any other specific drives in the future.
PRAY
- For kids in low income homes who are under resourced and those living in neglect or abusive homes
- For teachers/staff who are serving children with a wide variety of needs and potentials
- For a restorative summer for students and teachers.
- Pray for safety for all of our schools.
- Check out the Lee School website as an aid to your prayers: sps186.org/o/lee
Lake Springfield Christian Assembly
Lake Springfield Christian Assembly is in the summer 2025 retreat season with Summer Camp around the corner. This year's summer camps will met around the theme of "All In" Trust the Lord with all your heart.
Service & Prayer Opportunities at Lake Springfield Christian Assembly
• Pray for the upcoming High School MidWinter Retreat on January 17-19
• Help in the kitchen or serve as the First Aid Provider at MidWinter Retreat
• Pray for Junior High Winter Blast retreat on January 31-February 2
• Serve in the kitchen or serve as the First Aid Provider at Winter Blast
• Pray for Summer Camp and all preparations for it. (Registration starts February 10)
• Volunteer as faculty, First Aid Provider, Day Camp Dean (July 3)
• Serve with Camp Care A Lot at hknight@lscacamp.org
Go to https://lscacamp.org/serve/ to find out more and sign up.
Thank you to each of the many Lakesiders who’ve helped at camp in the past year. Praise the Lord for all the campers who had the opportunity to become more like Christ, to learn how to lead in Christ-like ways, to develop Christian friendships and to simply have fun!
Christian Student Fellowship
CSF exists to help students find their way back to God on the UIS campus. You can help by praying for the staff and the students they hope to reach this winter and spring. Check out the CSF Facebook page (www.facebook.com/uiscsf) to keep up to date and direct your prayers. CFS Staff includes: Samuel & Renee Nassiff, David & Lindsey Lasley, Abigail Way, and Gretchen Magruder. Below are some ways you might help this important ministry in the coming days and weeks. Also visit their website at: info@uiscsf.org
- Snacks. A group of 20-25 students are gathering each Monday at 8:45 PM. Individually packaged chips, popcorn, sweet snack, candy, or 24 packs of bottled water will be much appreciated. Join in worship if you like.
- Supplies. collapsible cart, reams of paper, blue pens, name tags
- Gift Cards. These are used for prizes and student connections. $10 Door Dash, Walmart, Aldi, Steak N Shake, Starbucks and $25 for Walmart and area restaurants
- Funds. Consider a special financial gift. The annual Spring Fundraising Banquet on April 15th raised $30,000 in support of the ministry!
- Prayer. Pray for the students to remain committed to Jesus Christ and connect with small groups. Pray for the current school year and increased opportunities. Read 12 stories of ministry impact at uiscsf.org
- Other Ways to Bless: Check out CFS's Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1QXTH56ZYERZV/ref=hz_ls_biz_e
CSF will be visiting Lakeside on August 4 as they gear up the fall semester. It is a busy time of year as they help international students with a furniture drive and host other high impact events for arriving students. www.uiscsf.org/international-student-furniture-day
Inner City Mission
ICM is all about helping the homeless find lasting stability. They assist in assisting every person in moving from "shattered" to "shalom" by calming the chaos in the lives of the homeless, promoting their potential, and helping them realize the love of Jesus Christ.
To help you can PRAY:
- Mental & physical health of residents and for opening of deeper conversations for sharing the Gospel.
- Request grace and patience for staff as well as the families.
- Donations: ICM is accepting food, toiletries, and cleaning supplies at 720 N. 7th St.
- Pray for 200 Prayer Partners.
- Pray for Luke & Carly Chitwood, Lakesiders who serve there.
- Pray for Lakeside's student ministry which is helping provide childcare monthly as parents are receiving training.
Scott & Connie Payne's book, Unlocking a Broken World gives a window into the homeless world and into the lives of the family and people working or volunteering at the Mission. The book now available. Contact the mission at innercitymission.net You can also read a multi-part article series on homelessness at: innercitymission.net/articles
Inner City Mission staff asks for your PRAYER on their behalf as they seek wisdom and direction in developing a 10-year expansion plan for the mission.
Pioneer Bible Translators
Pioneer Bible Translators worldwide is now a team of 573 working among 100.3 million people speaking 106 languages in 27 countries! Visit the PBT website at: pioneerbible.org
Brand New Bibles: Pioneer Bible translators Jeff and Laura Wilhoit along with other PBT staff and Lakeside's Paul & Sunny Boatman traveled to West Africa for a June 23-25, 2023 celebration of a translation of the Bible for the Toma people.
Pray for the literacy training. PBT worked to publish 20+ books of the Toma Bible electronically by the end of 2024, bringing the total number of published books to over 40. Laura reports that in the summer of 2022 they received the complete dramatized audio Toma New Testament that a partner organization Faith Comes By Hearing recorded when Jeff was in West Africa. Co-translators and several Toma speakers voiced all the parts.
- Pray for all the people who will now have the opportunity to hear and read the whole Bible in their own heart language and be transformed by doing so.
- Pray for the preparation and planning of a new Global Sending and Sign Language Center to be built on the PBT grounds in Dallas, TX through Jeff's leadership and oversight.
- For more frequent updates from Jeff & Laura contact laura.wilhoit@pbti.org
- Praise! Pastor Jeremie, Joseph & Daniel are now in good health and leading literacy training.
- Pray for the villagers who are participating in literacy classes as they prepare to read the Bible in their own language.
- Pray for all the ways God's Word is making an eternal impact on those who hear it.
- Special prayer for Laura Wilhoit who fell and broke her knee cap and is now doing PT.
- Pray for the 100+ leaders who came to the Scripture Listening Group training.
- Pray for Daniel who is now beginning work with Laura on adapting the Toma Bible into Daniel’s first language of Zialo.