Tom Bohn - Heartland Hero
Tom Bohn is our current featured Heartland Hero. Tom is an extraordinary helper and a super hard worker who can always be seen around the shelter helping with a wide variety of tasks. Tom came to Heartland after seeing us on the website as well as hearing about us through word of mouth. His first impression of the shelter was that we had friendly people, nice dogs, and a clean facility. Upon beginning his volunteer work, Tom was not exactly sure what specific tasks he would be helping out with, but being the eager person that he is, Tom dove right in and started helping out in the dog kennels where his help was greatly needed and appreciated.
Now, Tom can be seen every day of the week helping to feed, clean, and care for all of Heartland’s dogs. He also spends a lot of time getting to know all of the dogs really well, which helps to match them to the appropriate home. Tom can also be seen helping to do the laundry and fixing various things around the shelter.
When asked what the best part of volunteering at Heartland is, Tom said, “both the people and the animals that are here.” One of Tom’s most memorable volunteer experiences so far was going down to Chicago Animal Care and Control with 7 crates and coming home with 12 pups and 8 dogs! When Tom is not busy helping out at Heartland, he enjoys spending time with his wife Marge, a nurse at Lutheran General, and his 2 sons, Eric, 27, and Chris 24 years old. He also loves to spend time with his 2 dogs: Bradley, a yellow Labrador Retriever, and Affini, a red Pitbull. Heartland is very grateful to have Tom as a member of the Heartland team. Thank you for everything you do to help out at the shelter! We really appreciate all of your dedication and hard work!
Thank you for thinking of us as a volunteer source. Please watch this page as it is always being updated.
If you would like to order a Heartland Polo Shirt to show your Heartland spirit then email Jenny at jlnogle@yahoo.com. Donation for a shirt is $20.
If you are between the ages of 16-18 years old then you will need to have your parent come to the volunteer orientation. The donation for the orientation is $25. Please contact Jenny the volunteer coordinator to sign up. Please email Jenny jlnogle@yahoo.com about volunteering.
Our volunteer requirement for most positions is eight hours a month. Two to four hour shifts may be scheduled from 12noon-8PM during the weekdays and 9am-5pm on weekends.
New Volunteer? We will have on going volunteer orientation the last Saturday of every even month (February, April, June, August, October & December) at 5:15 - 6:45 PM. Please bring $25 cash or check to cover the cost of the orientation. Please contact Jenny "Volunteer Coordinator" at 847-296-6400 or email her at jlnogle@yahoo.com to sign up for the next orientation.
Volunteer Jobs Available
Adoption Day Volunteer: Takes the responsibility of taking a Heartland animal to an off site location for the purpose of getting the pet adopted. Often times this transport occurs in your vehicle. We currently have adoption days every weekend at Golf Mill Shopping Center.
Event Coordinator and Fundraising Volunteer Coordinates events and fundraiser. Contact Jeff Deutch at j.deutch@comcast.net.
Heartland Greeter: Answers phones at Heartland and directs guests.
Cat or Kitten Room Attendant: Helps to tidy up and organize the cat/kitten room
while assisting possible adopters with questions regarding available cats.
Dog Walker: If you want to give our dogs a special treat, come join us as a dog walker. You can skip that health club membership as you will get plenty of exercise!
As a dog walker you will also be asked to help clean the dog kennels while at the shelter and show dogs to potential adopters. Before walking dogs however you will need to go through Heartland's Dog Obedience Training classes. Classes are offered three days a week.
Dog/Cat -Clean and Feed. Become a Heartland Hero by helping us to do our daily feeding and cleaning our pets living spaces. You can even give the pooches a bath if you would like in our NEW dog wash station.
Adoption Counselors (Dog or Cat): Assist adopters in filling out adoption forms and contracts. Qualifies an applicant for adoption. Is responsible for being a match maker for our animals and their new owner. Must attend a Counselor training class before starting. For dates & time for Adoption Counselor training, see the Volunteer Forum web page or call the shelter. Please attend an orientation to become a volunteer first.
Foster Parent: This is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Sometimes pets need fostering due to health, age or temperament. The best part is knowing your caring hand helps to ensure the pet will get adopted sooner. You must first attend a volunteer orientation class to begin fostering. Then after the class you will enter our foster training class held the first Saturday of every month at 5:15pm with host Barb Balla.
Post Adoption Field Inspector: Visits homes after a pet is adopted. Make sure that the adopter is up holding their end of the adoption contract.
Newsletter and Appeal/Donation Letter Management:- Write our appeal letters and help the shelter to bring in much needed funds to support our shelter operations.
Contact Jeff Deutch (fundraising chair) j.deutch@comcast.if you have experience in writing.
Grant Writers: Experienced Grant Writers are needed.
