Chicago Cares is a nonprofit organization that connects prospective volunteers with volunteer opportunities throughout Chicago. It was founded in 1991 by Leslie Bluhm and Mary Prchal and has mobilized more than 600,000 volunteers from all over Chicago. Chicago Cares is the largest volunteer organization service in the Midwest region. The organization hosts annual programs including the Serve-a-thon and a speed dating volunteer event. Their current mission statement is “Chicago Cares mobilizes volunteers to build a stronger, more unified Chicago.”