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How you can help on campus :

Above everything, have fun and enjoy the time spent getting to know fellow Illini families! Your story makes a difference, and it might just be the story that another family needs to hear to help make their transition to parents of a college student less stressful and more fulfilling.

    Move-In Day Picnic

  • Time requested: Move-In Day, 1-2 hours
  • Set up & tear down tables/chairs
  • Mingle with families and answer questions
  • Give information about Moms & Dads Associations
  • Hand out box lunches

    Summer Registration

  • Time requested: Weekdays, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Hand out information to new parents
  • Collect parent contact information
  • Move-In Day Picnic, Dads Weekend & Tuition Drawing registrations
  • Answer questions & share your experiences
  • Assemble packets for volunteers to distribute

    Orange and Blue Days

  • Time requested: Weekdays in fall, 9:45 - 11:00 am
  • Meet and greet parents of prospective students
  • Share your experiences & insights
  • Make a short presentation and answer questions

    Dads Weekend

  • Banquet

    • Time requested: Friday evening
    • Greet Illini families
    • Host a table--make the evening memorable!
    • Check guests in
    • Help hand out awards

  • Tent Party

    • Time requested: Saturday, 2 hours prior to kick-off
    • Collect lunch tickets
    • Meet & greet Illini families
    • Talk to families about the Dads Association
    • Answer questions & share experiences

    Moms Weekend

  • Kick-off Dinner

    • Time requested: Friday evening
    • Greet guests and show them to seats
    • Host a table, get to know fellow Illini families
    • Check guests in
    • Help hand out awards

  • Craft Fair

    • Time Requested: Saturday, 1 hour
    • Sell Moms Association merchandise
    • Contribute crafts to be sold

  • Information Table

    • Time requested: Friday and Saturday, 1 hour
    • Hand out Moms Weekend calendars, parking maps, etc.
    • Answer questions & give directions

    Craft Table

  • Time Requested: Saturday for about 4 hours
  • Sell crafts during home football games to raise money for the Moms Association

    President's Award Program

  • Time requested: 2-3 hours on a weekend morning
  • Talk with prospective Illini families
  • Share your experiences
  • Talk about the benefits of students attending U of I

    Latina/o Family Visit Day

  • Time requested: Weekend morning, 8 - 10 am
  • Program conducted bilingually--volunteers fluent in Spanish
  • Talk with Illini families, some of whom are experiencing their first child going to college
  • Share your experiences and advice
  • Collect parent contact information for mailings & information

    Admitted Student Days

  • Time requested: 8 - 11 am, weekdays in spring
  • Meet and talk with parents of admitted students
  • Talk to families about volunteering, work of the Associations, etc.
  • Collect parent contact information
  • Answer questions & share experiences


At Home:

  • Give your contact information to the local High School as a person for future Illini parents to call.


  • Contact Illini parents in your area by phone, mailing postcards, sending emails, etc. We will help you with contact information.


  • Make an announcement in your local paper informing other Illini parents that you are available for them to contact with any concerns or questions.


  • Host a get-together (brunch, game-day gathering, etc.) and share your experiences.


  • Write an article for our newsletter about your local network and how you stay connected.


  • Answer questions posted on the Message Board.


  • Encourage other Illini families from your area to volunteer for an event.


  • Arrange carpools for students from your area to get home and back to school.


  • Work with area families to arrange send-off parties or care packages to send to your students.

  • Consider serving as a County Rep! We provide great resources and information for those interested in coordinating activities in their area. Visit our County Rep Resources page to learn more or contact the Parent Programs Office at 217-333-7063 or uofiparents@ad.uiuc.edu.


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