BFR Volunteer Program
Bear Family Restaurants has a long and rich history of community volunteerism.
In fact, we’re so committed to volunteerism, that we’re willing to recognize you for your team and individual volunteer activities throughout the year. Click below for all details on the BFR Volunteer Policy.
All volunteer hours should be tracked through MobileServe.
If you volunteer during working hours and are getting paid for that time, those hours will not count towards the policy to earn paid time off or extra pay. HOWEVER, those hours still count towards our BFR total team volunteer hours so please log them and choose the ‘Service Category’ of “Non-Qualified Hours (during working hours)”.
Click below for instructions on using the app. If you are not yet registered on the site and have not received an email invitation for it, please reach out to melissa@bfrmcd.com
Below is a comprehensive list of BFR approved organizations for volunteering.

BFR Volunteer Group Events
These are scheduled on a
regular basis and can be viewed
through the “Opportunities”
tab on your MobileServe app.
These are great opportunities
for you to log volunteer hours
and create great memories
with your BFR teammates while
serving the community!

Would you like to volunteer for an organization that’s not on the list?
No problem!
We’d love to add more to our list.
Email melissa@bfrmcd.com to
ask about approval BEFORE you
volunteer to make sure it qualifies.

Location Reminder
In order for your volunteer hours
to count towards your total
for the pay/vacation benefit,
they have to be served in a
community that we have a
restaurant in – unless it is an approved organization/location listed below. See a full list of
our locations here.

Representing BFR
Please remember that every
time you volunteer you are
a representative of BFR and
should present yourself in a
professional manner while still
having fun and enjoying these
wonderful opportunities to make a
difference!
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Special Olympics of Illinois – https://www.soill.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Volunteer-Opportunities1.pdf
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Homeless Shelter – https://volunteer.dupagepads.org/need/
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Homeless Shelter – https://www.padslakecounty.org/volunteer/
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Park District – https://www.ahpd.org/volunteer/
Library – https://www.ahml.info/about/volunteer
HOPE Center – https://www.journeystheroadhome.org/volunteer.html
Buddy Foundation – https://www.thebuddyfoundation.org/
Hospital (4 Hr Minimum Shift, 6 months at least – 100 hours) – https://www.nch.org/about-nch/community-services/volunteering?vurl=volunteer
Habitat for Humanity ReStore (955 E Rand Rd)
- email volunteer@restorearlingtonheights.org if you’re interested in volunteering
- Tasks: repackaging of donated items, assembly of furniture or light fixtures, the building of displays, customer service https://www.ahml.info/about/volunteer
- Best Days to Serve: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
- Best Times: 10:00am – 2:00pm OR 1:00pm – 5:00pm
- When signing up to volunteer, please identify yourself as part of Bear Family Restaurants or Bear Family McDonald’s team.
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Park District – https://www.barringtonparkdistrict.org/about-us/career-volunteer/ – If interested, please call the Park District at (847) 381-0687
Library – https://balibrary.org/local-info
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Library – http://www.mybpl.org/volunteer
Park District – If you are interested in volunteer opportunities at the Bloomingdale Park District, contact Rebecca Defrancesco at rebecca@bloomingdaleparks.org.
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Park District – https://www.bgparks.org/information/volunteer-opportunities/
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Library – https://gailborden.info/volunteer
Food for Greater Elgin – https://www.foodforgreaterelgin.org/volunteer/
Park District – https://www.cityofelgin.org/254/Volunteer-Opportunities
Salvation Army – https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/elgin/volunteer/
Habitat for Humanity ReStore (800 N State St)
- email volunteer@restoreelgin.org if you’re interested in volunteering
- Tasks: repackaging of donated items, assembly of furniture or light fixtures, the building of displays, customer service https://www.ahml.info/about/volunteer
- Best Days to Serve: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
- Best Times: 10:00am – 2:00pm OR 1:00pm – 5:00pm
- When signing up to volunteer, please identify yourself as part of Bear Family Restaurants or Bear Family McDonald’s team.
Habitat for Humanity Construction Volunteering
- Builds happen every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:30am-4:00pm
- Elgin build site has to be used
- https://habitatnfv.org/get-involved/volunteer/individual/ or email them at volunteer@habitatnfv.org
- When signing up to volunteer, please identify yourself as part of Bear Family Restaurants or Bear Family McDonald’s team.
Habitat for Humanity Skill-Based Volunteering
- Habitat has a variety of opportunities available throughout the year for skill-based volunteering. You may have a talent that they would benefit from!
- Elgin build site has to be used
- https://habitatnfv.org/get-involved/volunteer/individual/ or email them at volunteer@habitatnfv.org
- When signing up to volunteer, please identify yourself as part of Bear Family Restaurants or Bear Family McDonald’s team.
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Elk Grove Park District – Reach out to Deanna Rafidia 847-690-1109 or drafidia@elkgroveparks.org
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Food Pantry – http://solvehungertoday.org/volunteer-opportunities/
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Park District – https://www.heparks.org/general-information/volunteering/
Gigi’s Playhouse (Down Syndrome Achievement Centers) – https://gigisplayhouse.org/volunteer
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Library – https://www.lagrangelibrary.org/about/volunteer
Homeless Shelter – http://www.beds-plus.org/volunteer.html
Park District – http://www.pdlg.org/ and click the blue brochure button at the top of the page and then go to page 77 to request volunteer information.
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Park District – https://lakezurich.org/571/Event-Volunteer-Opportunities
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Park District – https://lombardparks.com/volunteer/
Village (Community Work) – http://lombardparks.com/volunteer/
YWCA – http://tritownymca.org/support-the-y/volunteer-opportunities/
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Main Stay Therapeutic Farm – https://mainstayfarm.org/volunteer/
Salvation Army – https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/mchenry/volunteer/
Library – http://www.mchenrylibrary.org/index.php/about-us/get-involved/volunteer-at-the-library
Park District – Call Cindy Witt @ 815-363-2100
Habitat for Humanity ReStore (903 Front St)
- Sign up for volunteering at https://www.volunteerhabitatmchenry.org/need/detail/?need_id=488739
- Tasks: repackaging of donated items, assembly of furniture or light fixtures, the building of displays, customer service https://www.ahml.info/about/volunteer
- When signing up to volunteer, please identify yourself as part of Bear Family Restaurants or Bear Family McDonald’s team.
Habitat for Humanity Construction Volunteering
- Builds happen on a regular basis for full days of opportunities for volunteering.
- Build site(s) in McHenry has to be used
- https://www.volunteerhabitatmchenry.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=93205 or email them at volunteers@habitatmchenry.org
- When signing up to volunteer, please identify yourself as part of Bear Family Restaurants or Bear Family McDonald’s team.
Habitat for Humanity Skill-Based Volunteering
- Habitat has a variety of opportunities available throughout the year for skill-based volunteering. You may have a talent that they would benefit from!
- Build site(s) in McHenry has to be used
- https://www.volunteerhabitatmchenry.org/agency/detail/?agency_id=93205 or email them at volunteers@habitatmchenry.org
- When signing up to volunteer, please identify yourself as part of Bear Family Restaurants or Bear Family McDonald’s team.
Home of the Sparrow: https://www.hosparrow.org/how-to-help/ways-of-giving/volunteer/ -
Library – https://www.mgpl.org/volunteer
Park District – https://mortongroveparks.com/?s=volunteer
Village (Community Work) – http://mortongroveparks.com/365-2/
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Library – https://mppl.org/about-us/volunteer/
Park District – https://www.mppd.org/?s=volunteer
NNSEO (Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization) – http://www.nsseo.org/community/volunteers/
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Library – https://www.nileslibrary.org/about/get-involved/volunteer/
Village (Community Work) – http://www.niles-parks.org/general-info/volunteers
Park District – Call (847) 967-6633
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Salvation Army – https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/4DE85B24-5D3D-4055-B9B6-F6D29B971896/1
Village (Community Work) – http://www.norridgepk.com/general/jobs
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Salvation Army – https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/belvidere/volunteer/
Rockford Rescue Mission – https://www.rockfordrescuemission.org/who-we-are/
Park District – https://lockwoodpark.com/volunteer
Animal Shelter – http://www.noahsarkanimals.org/
Hospital (Mercy) – https://mercyhealthsystem.org/volunteers/
Hospital (Swedish American) – https://www.swedishamerican.org/join-our-team/volunteer-opportunities
United Way – http://www.wevolunteer.org/
Habitat for Humanity – http://rockfordhabitat.org/
Gigi’s Playhouse (Down Syndrome Achievement Centers) – https://gigisplayhouse.org/rockford/volunteer-at-rockford
Library – https://www.rockfordpubliclibrary.org/support-rpl/friends-of-the-library/
Boys & Girls Club – http://www.rgreatfutures.org/give/volunteer/
YMCA – http://rockriverymca.org/AboutUs/Volunteers/
Food Pantry – http://www.rrvp.org/make-a-difference/volunteer/
Museum (Discovery Center) – http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/support/volunteer
Gardens (Anderson Japanese) – https://andersongardens.org/become-a-docent/
Gardens (Khelm Botanical) – http://klehm.org/get-involved/volunteer/#.WxW52ORhjIU
Conservatory – https://www.nicholasconservatory.com/volunteer/
Museum (Art) – http://www.rockfordartmuseum.org/connect/support-groups-volunteers
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Park District – https://www.parkfun.com/about/volunteer
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Library – https://gailborden.info/volunteer
Anderson Humane (volunteering approved, but not board membership) – https://ahconnects.org/
Village (Community Work) – http://www.southelgin.com/index.asp?SEC=B69214D7-4875-4617-B0FC-BAD58B92090D&DE=D41B15D8-81E7-45A4-92D7-7B57D89D3239
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Community – https://www.sg4thofjuly.com/get_involved
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Library – https://www.pclib.org/volunteer
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Library – https://westchesterpl.org/about/volunteering/
Park District – https://www.wpdparks.org/volunteer
Food Pantry – https://westchesterfoodpantry.org/
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Library – https://www.indiantrailslibrary.org/about-us/volunteer/
Park District – https://www.wheelingparkdistrict.com/volunteer/
Village (Community Work) – http://www.wheelingil.gov/162/Volunteer-Opportunities
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Hospital (50 Hours Minimum for the Year) – https://www.nm.org/patients-and-visitors/volunteer/volunteer-at-cdh-and-delnor