* 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.

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 people 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, family resource consultants, special event

volunteers, 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 also seeks volunteers to answer calls

for the unit’s Helpline Info Center. (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 ages 16 and older are also needed

to help sort clothes, cashiering, decorating, and computer work 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 scomer@cancer.org.

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 fundraising 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 chapter 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

https://www.animalnetwork.org.

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF NEWPORT-MESA

Volunteers looking for varying levels of involvement are needed to

help the organization with its goal of helping children in the

community. (949) 645-6929.

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.

BALBOA ISLAND MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Balboa Island Museum and Historical Society, a nonprofit

organization, is seeking memorabilia such as photographs and stories

for the museum’s collection. Volunteers are needed as docents and to

help with displays. The museum, at 502 S. Bayfront, Suite A, is open

from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. (949) 675-3952.

BALBOA PERFORMING ARTS THEATER FOUNDATION

The Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation is looking for

volunteers to assist in its office. Volunteers are asked to work a

two-hour shift every week. Information: (949) 673-0895.

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 https://ww.bestbuddies.org.

BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS

The local chapter is looking for men and women older than 18 who

have lived in Orange County for at least one month and have been

employed for at least one month to serve as big brothers or big

sisters for children ages 6 to 16 from single-parent homes. (714)

544-7773, https://www.bigbrooc.org.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA INC.

Volunteer opportunities for the Orange County Council include

fundraising, 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.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS

The organization is running car campaigns to support its programs.

If you would like to donate your automobile, call (800) 246-0493.

BRAILLE INSTITUTE’S

ORANGE COUNTY CENTER

The nonprofit organization is looking for volunteers to assist

blind and visually impaired students in a variety of areas. 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.

CASA TERESA

Casa Teresa, a temporary home for single pregnant homeless women

18 and older, needs volunteers for these positions: office

assistant/greeter, computer assistant, program developer assistant,

and resale boutique salesperson. (714) 538-4860.

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. (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. (714) 560-8177 or 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 fundraising 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) 619-5155.

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 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 fundraising events and help promote library programs

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