Opportunities for Volunteering

Columbia West Hills Medical Center is seeking volunteers for a variety of positions. Energetic men and women of all ages are needed to donate a minimum of four hours a week. Volunteers will be trained by hospital staff. For information, call Claire Plunkett, director of volunteer services, at (818) 712-4169.

The American Assn. of Retired Persons is looking for volunteers to assist with its tax preparation and counseling program. The service is provided by AARP, the Internal Revenue Service and the Franchise Tax Board to help elderly taxpayers prepare federal and state tax returns. Volunteers will be trained by professional tax-preparation instructors. The service will be available between Feb. 1 and April 15 at most senior centers in Los Angeles County, and volunteers can assist at the site nearest them. For information, call Marcia R. Arkin at (818) 338-6622.

L.A. Family Housing Corp. is seeking individuals, families, businesses and organizations to participate in its holiday Adopt-a-Family Program. Sponsors are asked to provide toys, clothing, food and other items for their adopted families during Thanksgiving and Christmas. L.A. Family Housing Corp. is a North Hollywood nonprofit agency that provides emergency shelter and transitional housing to homeless families in the San Fernando Valley. For information, call (818) 982-4091.