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. Volunteers may use either their
own vehicles or American Cancer Society vans. (949) 261-9446 or o7
scomer@cancer.org.
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
older, 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. (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 organization 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. (714) 543-4333.
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. 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 women from Southern California who 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 across 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.
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