* GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in...

* GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the Daily Pilot on a

rotating basis. For information on adding your organization to this

list, call (949) 574-4298.

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.

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.animal-network.org.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 troubled 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.

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 donation collection,

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