GETTING INVOLVED

* GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the Daily Pilot on a rotating

basis. If you’d like information on adding your organization to this

list, call (949) 574-4298.

Academic Year in America

Costa Mesa families can host a German student and earn up to $1,000

toward a number of travel abroad programs. Danielle Carpino, (800)

322-HOST.

ALS Assn., Orange County Chapter

The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assn., which helps individuals who

have the disorder that is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, needs

volunteers. (714) 375-1922.

Alzheimer’s Assn. of Orange County

Support group leaders, Visiting Volunteers, family resource

consultants and office volunteers are needed. Volunteers may work on

one-time projects or ongoing programs. Training sessions are available.

(800) 660-1993.

American Cancer Society

The Orange County Region of the American Cancer Society seeks office

volunteers. The society is also seeking volunteers to answer calls for

the unit’s Helpline InfoCenter. (949) 261-9446.

American Cancer Society Discovery Shop

The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop needs unwanted goods, such

as clothing, furniture, jewelry, accessories, antiques and collectibles,

to fund the society’s research, education and patient services programs.

The goods may be dropped off at 2600 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar.

Volunteers are also needed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday

at the same location. (949) 640-4777.

American Cancer Society Road to Recovery

The transportation program needs volunteers to drive cancer patients

to and from medical treatments free of charge. The required commitment is

a few hours each week or month. Drivers must have a valid driver’s

license and insurance and be at least 25 years old. Volunteers may use

either their own vehicles or American Cancer Society vans. (949) 261-9446

or o7 [email protected].

f7

American Heart Assn.

The American Heart Assn. is looking for volunteers to perform various

general office duties in the main office and implement educational and

fund-raising events through Orange County. No experience necessary.

Training will be provided. (949) 856-3555.

American Home Health Hospice Program

The American Home Health Hospice Program needs volunteers to give

emotional support to terminally ill patients and their families in the

greater Orange County area. Training is provided. (714) 550-0800 or (800)

540-2545.

American Red Cross, Orange County chapter

The Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross needs volunteers

to address community groups about Red Cross services and to act as

liaisons with the media in disaster and emergency situations. Lynn Howes,

(714) 481-5376.

Animal Network of Orange County

Become a bottle-feeder or take in pregnant cats at your home. Many

shelters kill pregnant cats upon arrival. Dogs and cats are also

available for adoption.(949) 759-3646 or www.animalnetwork.org.

Assn. Renaissance Creators

The Costa Mesa group sponsors and supports outreach community service

programs, such as the homeless sanctuary. Volunteers are needed. (714)

540-5803.

Best Buddies

The nonprofit organization is looking for volunteers, ages 18 and up,

to provide companionship for adults with developmental disabilities. As a

“Citizen Buddy” volunteers will visit with a buddy twice a month and call

or e-mail them once a week. The organization also has an e-Buddies

program that forms friendships entirely over the Internet. Volunteers for

that program must be at least 12 years of age. (714) 546-1826 or o7

www.bestbuddies.orgf7 .

Big Brothers, Big Sisters

The local chapter is looking for men and women older than 20 who have

lived in Orange County for at least six months and have been on the job

for at least three months to serve as big brothers or big sisters for

children ages 6 to 16 from single-parent homes. (714) 544-7773.

Boy Scouts of America Inc.

Volunteer opportunities for the Orange County Council include

fund-raising, program development and training to existing troops and

packs. (714) 546-4990.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport-Mesa

The three area clubs need volunteer coaches and arts and crafts

workshop teachers. Call for locations. (949) 642-2245.

Braille Institute’s Orange County Center

The nonprofit oranganization is looking for volunteers with a basic

knowledge of Windows 95/98, Microsoft Word and a willingness to learn the

adaptive equipment used by its students to participate in various

activities at the Oasis Senior Center in Corona del Mar. Volunteers will

tutor legally blind adult students with the use of computers and other

adaptive technology. Mary Johnson, (714) 821-5000, Ext. 2113.

Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse

The playhouse needs volunteers for ushering, backstage work, mailings,

typing, controlling lights and many other duties. (949) 650-5269.

Costa Mesa Historical Society

The society collects information, photos and artifacts relating to the

history of Costa Mesa and the harbor area. Volunteers are needed for

clerical tasks, computer input and help in the library. (949) 631-5918.

Costa Mesa Literacy Council

The Costa Mesa Literacy Center needs volunteer tutors to teach English

as a second language. People who want to learn English as a second

language are also encouraged to call. Call to register. (714) 435-3310 or

(714) 545-3445.

Costa Mesa MS Self-Help Group

The Orange County chapter of the national Multiple Sclerosis Society

has started a new self-help group in Costa Mesa for people newly

diagnosed or with minimal symptoms of multiple sclerosis, or both. The

group will meet at 11 a.m. the first Tuesday of every month. (949)

650-7659.

Costa Mesa Police Department

Seniors 55 and older are invited to help staff the Westside

substation. Volunteers are asked to work two four-hour daytime shifts per

week and are responsible for answering phones, bicycle registration,

fingerprinting, data entry and assisting with other citywide projects.

Seniors who can speak both Spanish and English are also needed. Call for

an application. Fred Gaeckler, (714) 754-5208.

Costa Mesa Senior Center

The multipurpose senior services facility at the corner of 19th Street

and Pomona Avenue seeks volunteers who can greet members and the public

at the front desk and volunteers for the Resource Department with Excel

computer experience and sharp telephone skills. The Senior Meals program

also needs people to deliver meals to homes. (949) 645-2356.

Costa Mesa Senior Corp.

The nonprofit organization at the Costa Mesa Senior Center is looking

for new board members. The fund-raising and policymaking board needs

volunteers who will participate in monthly meetings, occasional committee

meetings and special projects. Candidates should have connections in

Costa Mesa and surrounding communities and an interest in serving the

community by helping seniors. (949) 645-2356, Ext. 16.

Court-Appointed Special Advocates

Volunteers are needed to serve as advocates for abused, neglected and

abandoned children. Volunteers work one on one with a child for three

hours a week. (714) 663-9034.

Crisis Assistance Program Inc.

The nonprofit organization is seeking volunteers for its expanding

trauma response program. Some volunteers assist law enforcement,

firefighters and emergency-type responders by providing emotional first

aid and support to injured or traumatized people. Other volunteers

provide dispatch and office support. No experience is necessary. Training

will be provided. (949) 588-1414.

Dispute Resolution Services

Volunteer mediators, case specialists and outreach assistants are

needed to help in a variety of mediation cases. Bilingual language skills

are needed for office volunteers and for mediators. (949) 250-0488.

Easter Seals

Easter Seals needs volunteers for ongoing clerical work and to help in

programs for children with disabilities and in special events. (714)

834-1111.

Environmental Nature Center

Volunteer trail guides are needed to help visitors learn about their

environment. (949) 645-8489.

FISH -- Mobile Meals

Call (949) 642-6060 to help Friends in Service to Humanity assist

with the Mobile Meals program and provide ongoing emergency assistance to

those in need. Both always seek volunteer assistance in a variety of

areas. (949) 645-8050.

Friends of the Newport Beach Library

The book store needs book donations for book sales. Good quality

children’s and nonfiction books are especially needed. They may be left

at any of the branch libraries -- Balboa, Mariners or Corona del Mar, or

in the special book closet next to the Friends Book Store at 1000 Avocado

Ave. Volunteers are needed to staff the used book store that is inside

the entrance of the Central Library. Volunteers must be members of the

Friends of the Library and are asked to work one three-hour shift per

month. (949) 759-9667.

Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts of Orange County needs volunteers to be trained as troop

leaders, serve on special committees and give lectures, demonstrations or

classes. (714) 979-7900.

Girls Inc. of Orange County

Volunteers are needed to offer educational and enrichment

opportunities for girls and boys. (949) 646-7181.

Human Options

The organization shelters, counsels and educates abused women and

children. It is looking for volunteers. (949) 737-5242, Ext. 24.

Jewish Family Service of Orange County

Volunteers are needed for Project Caring, which provides socialization

and cultural experiences and Shabbat and holiday celebrations to the

Jewish residents and others at Fairview Developmental Center in Costa

Mesa. Volunteers will “adopt” a facility to provide programming of Jewish

content to the residents on a monthly basis and will be required to take

a TB test and undergo a fingerprinting background check. Volunteers are

needed to provide comfort and support to the Jewish terminally ill and

their families. The group also sponsors an ongoing Jewish healing support

group for people experiencing chronic illness at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the

Jewish Family Service, 250 E. Baker St., Suite G, Costa Mesa. Free.

Preregistration required. (714) 445-4950.

Junior League of Orange County

The organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism,

developing the potential of women and improving communities through the

effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, is seeking new

members. (949) 261-0823.

Kaiser Permanente Hospice Services

Volunteers are needed to provide four hours per week visiting patients

or doing errands for them or their caregivers in communities near

volunteers’ homes. (562) 622-3805.

Laguna Greenbelt Inc.

Volunteers are needed to assist Laguna Coast Wilderness Park staff and

James Dilley Preserve staff and docents with hiker registration and

general public orientation. (949) 488-0287.

Laguna Shanti

Laguna Shanti, an organization that works with sufferers of HIV and

AIDS, is seeking caring volunteers to assist with running the front

office, delivering meals, providing transportation and providing

complimentary therapies such as massage, acupuncture and chiropractic

care. Lisa Toghia, (949) 494-1446.

Lifeline Living Centers

Mentally ill adults rely on the Newport Beach center for residential

housing. It needs professional fund-raisers to support and maintain this

resource.

Master Chorale of Orange County

The performing arts organization needs volunteers for computer input,

ticketing, filing and handling phones. (714) 556-6262.

Mentor Program

YMCA Community Services needs mentors to make a lasting effect on a

young person’s life. Students from 10 to 18 years old are matched with

mentors to improve their school performance and self-esteem while

developing positive peer and adult relationships. (714) 549-9622, Ext.

35.

Mozart Classical Orchestra

Orange County’s only nonprofit resident chamber orchestra needs

volunteers for ticketing, ushering, phones, mailing and help with

receptions. Nominees are also being sought for the board of directors.

(949) 830-2950.

New Directions for Women Inc.

The recovery center for adult women with alcohol and other chemical

dependencies seeks volunteers. (949) 548-9927 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.;

or Joy, (949) 548-8754.

Newport Bay Naturalist

The Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve is looking for volunteers to

assist with naturalist-led tours and programs, special events, and

habitat restoration projects. The interpretive center is at 2301

University Drive, Newport Beach. (714) 973-6829.

Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau

The bureau is dedicated to the promotion of the city to potential

visitors. Volunteers with extensive knowledge of Newport Beach needed.

(949) 722-1611.

Newport Beach Library Literacy Program

The program seeks volunteers to tutor adults wishing to improve their

reading and writing skills. Training workshops at the central library

will certify volunteers. (949) 717-3874.

Newport Beach Premiere Cinema Guild

The Newport Beach Premiere Cinema Guild, which supports the Newport

Beach Film Festival, is looking for new members. Interested candidates

should want to help further an artistic and cultural heritage in the

community, should have a love of cinema and a willingness to raise

awareness of the film festival. (949) 253-2880.

Newport Beach Public Library Foundation

The library foundation needs extra hands to perform clerical duties,

such as filing, organizing and stuffing envelopes, at the Central

Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. (949) 717-3890.

Newport Beach Recital Series

The Friends of The Newport Beach Recital Series Guild needs volunteers

to assist in fostering music appreciation so classical music will endure.

(949) 644-4208.

Newport Harbor Nautical Museum

The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum offers a number of volunteer

opportunities in the gift shop, as docents or receptionists, with

clerical work and with fund-raising events. Training is provided. (949)

675-2355.

Newport-Mesa YMCA

The YMCA needs a variety of general volunteer help. (949) 642-9990.

Newport-Mesa School Foundation

The foundation is looking for volunteers to help with fund-raising

efforts, speaking opportunities, public events and occasional office

work. (949) 631-4143.

Newport Theatre Arts Center

A variety of jobs need to be tackled, including set construction,

ushering, mailings and assorted technical duties. Scheduling is flexible,

with a two- to 20-hour commitment per month. The Newport Theatre Arts

Center is at 2501 Cliff Drive. (949) 631-0288.

Oasis Senior Center

Meals on Wheels volunteers are needed to distribute prepared dishes to

homebound seniors in the Newport Beach area. The delivery time is between

11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. The Oasis Senior Center also needs volunteer

nurses for its bimonthly blood pressure screenings. The center offers

this service between 9 and 11 a.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the

month. Volunteers should commit two hours once a month or volunteer on a

substitute basis. The center is at 800 Marguerite Ave., Corona del Mar.

(949) 644-3244.

Opera Pacific

The Opera Pacific Guild Alliance, a support group for Opera Pacific,

has activities for volunteers. (949) 474-4488.

Operation Clean Slate

Operation Clean Slate, a Costa Mesa-based organization that focuses on

graffiti prevention, needs volunteers to paint out graffiti and assist

with other duties. Michael Howard, (714) 435-0745.

OCC Nautical Library

Orange Coast College’s School of Sailing and Seamanship needs book

donations for its Nautical Library. Thousands of volumes of

boating-related titles are needed. The School of Sailing and Seamanship

is at 1801 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (949) 645-9412.

Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter

The largest family shelter in the county needs volunteers for its

children’s programs. It especially desires tutors and those who can take

part in activities past 6 p.m. Tutors will work with groups of children

or individually helping children in their academic problem areas.

Volunteers will also act as a Big Brother/Big Sister during the summer.

Jaime Mayo, (949) 631-7213.

Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center

The center needs volunteers to work with high-risk families and

children, providing weekly emotional support to families, infants and

first-time mothers in their homes. OCCAPC is asking for a three-hour

weekly commitment. (949) 722-1107.

Orange County Community Development Council

Volunteers are needed for a variety of functions. (714) 839-6199.

Orange County Homeless Task Force

The task force is recruiting volunteers for the Interfaith Council

Network to work one on one with homeless adults in a program on basic

life skills. (949) 263-1774.

Orange County Museum of Art

Learn more about art and share with your community by becoming a

docent at the Orange County Museum of Art. A docent is a volunteer who

guides adults and school groups through the galleries and teaches about

the museum’s collections and exhibitions. (949) 759-1122, Ext. 204.

Orange County Works

Participate in life management and employment training workshops as a

success coach to foster teens 16 to 18. (949) 509-1451.

Organization for the Humane Care of Animals

Volunteers are needed to care for stray and lost animals in the

Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Corona del Mar areas. (949) 722-1357.

Orton Dyslexia Society Orange County Branch

Volunteers are needed to teach reading skills, work on mailings and

coordinate the adult group. (714) 999-0118 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Pacific Symphony Orchestra

The Orange County Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s Volunteers in Education

Opportunities program needs volunteers to assist children in a variety of

hands-on musical activities. Volunteers spend a total of six Saturday

mornings with the children. (714) 755-5788, Ext. 244.

Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation

PCRF raises money to support the pediatric cancer research laboratory

at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County. It needs volunteers for a

variety of duties. (949) 727-7483.

Prime Dynamics

Prime Dynamics, a Newport Beach nonprofit organization for the 99 and

younger set, needs volunteers for its programs. (949) 262-7300.

Project Cuddle

Project Cuddle, a nonprofit organization, serves the needs of abused,

abandoned and drug-exposed children. In addition to office help and

once-a-month, 12-hour hotline shifts, volunteers are needed for an

auxiliary group, fund-raising committees and to help distribute stickers

to stop babies from being abandoned in trash bins. The organization also

needs donated gift items for mothers and babies. (714) 432-9681.

Project Together

Project Together seeks adult volunteers to establish a trusting,

one-to-one relationship with children stressed from family problems and

abuse. This component of the Orange County Health Care Agency’s

Children’s Mental Health Services offers training and supervision for the

program. Many of the children are economically deprived and victims of

neglect. (714) 850-8444.

Reach Out for Seniors

Volunteers are needed to provide companionship and friendship to

isolated seniors in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Training and support

are offered, and volunteers must be 18 or older. (949) 442-1000.

Reading By 9

The mentor reading program seeks volunteers to read to students in

kindergarten through third grade. In Costa Mesa, Pomona Elementary

School, (949) 515-6980; Whittier Elementary School, (949) 515-6898;

Wilson Elementary School, (949) 515-6995; and New Shalimar Learning

Center, (949) 646-0396, need help in assisting students in reading,

writing and English. Mentor sessions may be scheduled from 8:30 to 11:30

a.m. and after school, from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Save Our Youth

The Westside Costa Mesa youth organization is looking for volunteers

to help create a positive alternative for people 12 to 23 years old.

Volunteers are needed to help in areas such as boxing, sports, health,

fitness, aerobics and academic tutoring. (949) 548-3255.

Service Corps of Retired Executives

Join other business professionals to help small businesses succeed by

leading seminars and coaching entrepreneurs online. The corps is a

nonprofit charitable organization composed of 11,500 volunteer business

mentors, both working and retired, who counsel businesses from nearly 400

offices throughout the country. (714) 550-5369 and ask for membership.

Serving People In Need

Serve as a guide for homeless families by helping them set goals and

maintain a basic budget. Bilingual skills needed. Orientation and

training provided. Theresa Rowe, (949) 757-1456.

Senior Meals and Services Inc.

Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to homebound senior citizens

residing in Costa Mesa who are not able to prepare their own meals and do

not have anyone to prepare meals for them. A hot lunch is delivered

Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to the senior’s home. A

one-day-a-week commitment is all that is asked. Substitute drivers are

also needed to fill in for regular drivers. (714) 894-9779.

Serving People in Need

Serving People in Need, also know as SPIN, is looking for volunteers

to help prepare sack meals for the homeless, assemble hygiene kits,

distribute meals and pick up food for preparation. SPIN provides move-in

costs for housing, case management and support services to families

leaving shelters. SPIN also serves as family advisors or mentors and

conducts workshops on budgeting and more. Visit SPIN at 2900 Bristol St.,

Suite H-106, Costa Mesa. (714) 751-1101.

SHARE! High School Exchange Program

Host families are needed in the Costa Mesa area to provide a bed,

meals and a loving home for high school students from more than 28

countries, including Germany, Japan, Brazil, China and Poland. The

students, all between 15 and 18, participate in cross-cultural exchange

to learn about America and share their own culture. The students stay for

five to 10 months and are screened twice for academic excellence and

proficiency in English. (888) 533-8514.

Share Our Selves Clinic

The clinic, which provides emergency services to the needy in Orange

County, is looking for volunteers to deliver and pick up food from local

restaurants and grocery stores, help with medical and dental staff, data

entry, assist with food sorting and distribution, to help at the front

desk and some other duties. The group also needs translators. (949)

642-3451, Ext. 257.

Sherman Library & Gardens

You could assist with the garden, work in the gift and tea shop or

become a docent guide for children and adults at Corona del Mar’s

botanical garden and historical research library. Stefanie Kristiansen,

(949) 673-2261.

Small Business Assistance Center

The Small Business Assistance Center of OCC needs volunteers to advise

small business owners in finance, accounting, law, marketing, sales,

human resources and other areas. (714) 432-5916.

Someone Cares Soup Kitchen

Someone Cares Soup Kitchen needs food servers and volunteers for

kitchen duties. The organization is at 720 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa. (949)

548-8861.

South Coast Literacy Council

Volunteer tutors are needed for an increased demand of literacy and

English as a Second Language classes. Students are taught English

reading, writing and speaking skills at their own level in small groups

or on a one-to-one basis. There are centers all over Orange County. Once

trained, tutors may choose the center in which they want to teach. Mary

Fitzgerald, (949) 458-8664.

South Coast Repertory Theater

The South Coast Repertory Theater needs volunteers to help with

ushering (see plays free) and other functions. (714) 708-5500.

Speak Up Newport

A nonprofit organization that promotes the social welfare by educating

the public and improving local government in Newport Beach holds monthly

meetings the second Wednesday of each month at the Newport Beach Tennis

Club. A reception begins at 5:30, and meetings begin at 6 p.m. Free.

Annual membership dues are $20. Send check to “Speak Up Newport,” P.O.

Box 2594, Newport Beach, 92663. (949) 673-1191.

Stitches From the Heart

Made up of a group of ladies from Southern California that love to

knit and crochet, the nonprofit corporation is looking for volunteers to

knit and crochet hats, booties and blankets for premature babies and

babies in need. The items are donated to hospitals all over the country.

Patterns are available and donated yarn is appreciated. Kathy Silverton,

(310) 472-6903.

Sweet Adelines of Orange County

The singing group invites women who like to sing to join them Tuesday

nights for four-part, harmony-Barbershop style singing. (949) 495-5685.

Tell-a-Friend

Orange County cancer groups seek volunteers to educate and encourage

women to have mammograms. Participants will take part in a one-on-one

program of education and encouragement specifically related to mammograms

and early breast cancer detection. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer

Foundation, (714) 957-9157.

Underground

The Underground program, a function of Child’s Pace, provides social

activities and interaction for adolescents. Volunteers are needed in many

areas. (949) 548-8849.

Vantage Foundation

The Vantage Foundation supports employment and community training for

adults with developmental disabilities. Volunteers are needed. (949)

645-7833.

Visions for Prisons

Visions for Prisons, a nonprofit program that teaches attitudinal

healing and meditation in prison, needs typists to transcribe letters

from inmates to at-risk kids. Weekday hours, Mesa del Mar. (714)

556-8000.

Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County

With more than 1,500 volunteer opportunities, the Volunteer Center

will match people and groups wishing to volunteer with nonprofit agencies

in their area. Volunteer Connection Line, (714) 953-5757, Ext. 106.

Wellness Community of Orange County

The Wellness Community needs volunteers to help at the reception desk

during the day. (714) 258-1210.

West Side Boys & Girls Club

Volunteers are needed from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays to

tutor students in first through sixth grades in reading. (949) 631-7724.

Women Helping Women

Mentors and donations are needed to assist victims of domestic

violence. Volunteer teachers are also needed for computer classes. The

organization is at 711 W. 17th St., Suite A-10, Costa Mesa. The center

also needs volunteers to help with client intake and dressing, donation

collection, sorting clothes and general office work. (714) 631-2333.

Wyland Foundation

The Wyland Foundation, which encourages greater awareness of ocean

conservation, is seeking volunteers for clerical and computer help and

grant writing. (949) 497-6723.