* GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the...

* 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.

BEST BUDDIES

The nonprofit organization is looking for volunteers 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 years old.

(714) 546-1826 or www.bestbuddies.org.

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.

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 using computers and other

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

CAMP LAUREL FOUNDATION

Camp Laurel is seeking volunteer counselors and medical staff for

Summer Camp and Teen Adventure Camp. The organization is dedicated to

providing educational camping programs free of charge to children

living with HIV and AIDS. (323) 653-5005.

CENTENNIAL EVENT COMMITTEE

Volunteers are needed to serve on a Centennial Event Committee to

celebrate the 100th anniversary of Corona del Mar in 2004. Community

input on the final form of that committee is also sought.

Information: (949)675-0501.

COMPANION HOSPICE

The Hospice is now recruiting volunteers to become a friend for

someone who needs that extra special caring at the end-of-life.

Become a member of a team whose goal is to promote quality of life

and comfort measures. Each applicant will receive 16 hours of

orientation and training. Information: (714) 560-8177,

volunteers@Companion Hospice.com.

COMMUNITY

ANIMAL NETWORK

The network needs volunteers to help control the rising population

of wild cats in local neighborhoods. Volunteers would trap and

deliver cats to local veterinarians for spaying or neutering, and

then release them back to the property where they were found. The

goal of the program is to save the lives of stray cats. (949)

759-3646.

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 preserves and promotes the history of Costa Mesa and

the harbor area. Volunteers are needed for the archives, library,

museum, docent and public outreach programs. (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.

LITERACY PROGRAM

The program is always in need of volunteer tutors. No professional

teaching experience is required. To attain certification, a series of

training classes must be completed. For more information, contact

Literary Services at the Newport Beach Library, (949) 717-3874.

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 meets at 11 a.m. the second 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. They would be responsible for answering phones, bicycle

registration, fingerprinting, data entry and assisting with other

citywide projects. Seniors who can speak 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.

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, programs

for children with disabilities and special events. (714) 834-1111.

ENVIRONMENTAL

NATURE CENTER

The Environmental Nature Center provides quality education through

hands-on experience with nature in a 3.5-acre outdoor classroom.

Adult volunteer trail guides are needed to in the afternoon during

the week to lead children’s tours in the Center. Several other

volunteer opportunities are also available. (949) 645-8489.

FAMILIES -- COSTA MESA

This team of community-based organizations, which works to provide

youth and families with counseling, family support, health education,

mentoring, tutoring, after-school activities and kinship services,

needs volunteers in all areas. (949) 574-3976.

FISH -- MOBILE MEALS

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

BALLET MONTMARTRE

The Friends need volunteers who want to help talented local

dancers perform in professional theaters. For 30 years, the

organization has provided the community with quality Russian ballet

training, helping youth develop strong discipline skills, build high

self-esteem and achieve dreams of being a professional dancer. (714)

241-7424.

FRIENDS OF THE COSTA

MESA LIBRARIES

The Friends is a support group for the three libraries in Costa

Mesa. Help with fund-raising events and help promote library programs

and services in our community. (714) 556-4396.

FRIENDS OF THE

NEWPORT BEACH LIBRARY

The bookstore needs 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, which 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.

GIRLS INC.

OF ORANGE COUNTY

Volunteers are needed to offer educational and enrichment

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

HOSPICE PREFERRED CHOICE

Volunteers are needed to help make a difference in the lives of

terminally ill persons and their families. Volunteers would assist

them with nonmedical needs such as providing respite for the primary

caregiver, running errands, reading to the patients and weekly social

visits. The organization is also looking for clerical and bereavement

volunteers to assist with office duties. Training is provided. (714)

980-0900.