Villa Park and Lombard homeowners who can't keep up with yard work or exterior repairs because of financial hardship or physical limitations can apply for free help from a volunteer crew that has grown nearly threefold over the past decade.

The Christian Church of Villa Park is accepting applications for its 12th Annual Love Your Neighbor Day, set for Saturday, September 19. Volunteer teams will tackle yard work and small exterior home repair projects at no cost to approved homeowners. All materials, equipment, and supplies are covered through grants and donations.

Applications must be submitted by Sunday, August 16. Forms are available in English and Spanish at ccvponline.net/love-your-neighbor-day.

How it works

After a homeowner submits an application, organizers schedule a home visit to assess the requested work, according to the Village of Villa Park. Project selection depends on the scope of work and volunteer availability. Only outdoor projects are performed.

The village promoted the program on its official social media accounts on Friday, July 24, directing residents to the church's website. The rain date is Saturday, September 26.

A decade of growth

The program launched in September 2015, when 50 volunteers spent a day helping 10 families. By September 2025, the effort had grown to 145 volunteers serving 35 homeowners, according to the church's website. That's a nearly threefold increase in both volunteers and households served.

The church describes Love Your Neighbor Day as an ecumenical effort, organized in cooperation with other local churches in Villa Park and Lombard and supported by local villages and the township.

How to get involved

Residents who want to volunteer can sign up at ccvponline.net/love-your-neighbor-day.

Donations to fund materials can be sent by check to Christian Church of Villa Park (memo line: "for LYND"), 1336 S. Villa Avenue, Villa Park, IL 60181, or online at ccvponline.net/give-money. Questions can be directed to [email protected].