GETTING INVOLVED

PARENT HELP USA

Founded by Mothers and Others Against Child Abuse, Parent Help asks the public for help and volunteers to inform the community on vital issues affecting children and the family. Call: (949) 650-3461 or (949) 675- 5271.

PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

PCRF, which raises money to support pediatric cancer research, needs volunteers for a variety of duties. Call: (949) 859-6312.

THE PHARMACOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The institute is looking for volunteers to take part in a study on smoking cessation. Call: (888) 774-4673.

PRIME DYNAMICS

Prime Dynamics, a Newport Beach nonprofit organization for the 99-and-younger set, needs volunteers for its programs. Call: (949) 262-7300.

PROJECT ACCESS

Project Access is a nonprofit organization that links residents of low-income housing developments with beneficial social services, usually through resource centers. Volunteers are needed to tutor children and teach crafts and computer skills at the various centers. Call: Paul Shapiro, (949) 253-3120 ext. 229.

PROJECT CUDDLE

Project Cuddle is a Costa Mesa-based nonprofit organization that meets the needs of girls and women facing unplanned pregnancies. In addition to office help and 12-hour hotline shifts once a month, volunteers are needed for an auxiliary group and fundraising committees. The organization also needs donated gift items for mothers and babies. Call: (714) 432-9681 or visit: www.projectcuddle.org.

READ/ORANGE COUNTY

Volunteer literacy tutors are needed to help create a more literate community with no-cost tutoring for adults in reading and writing. The adult literacy program serves the Orange County Public Library system. Required training is provided. Call: (714) 566-3070 or visit:www.readoc.org.

READING BY 9

The mentor reading program seeks volunteers to read to students in kindergarten through third grade. Costa Mesa schools need help for 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. Call: 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.

SALVATION ARMY OF ORANGE COUNTY

Group or family volunteers are needed to adopt a family, sponsor an angel tree, hold a canned food or toy drive, or make a special gift or donation directly to the Salvation Army. Call: (714) 832-7100.