GETTING INVOLVED

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.

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. Call: (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. Call: (714) 550-7369.

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. Call: Theresa Rowe, (949) 757-1456.

SENIOR MEALS AND SERVICES INC.

Volunteers deliver hot meals to more than 500 homebound seniors each weekday and provide friendly visits to isolated seniors. The rewards are great, but this is a big job requiring many volunteers, so help is always needed. Call: (714) 891-0804.

SERVING PEOPLE IN NEED

Serving People in Need, also known as SPIN, is looking for volunteers to help prepare 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 workers also serve as family advisors or mentors and conducts workshops on budgeting and more. Visit SPIN at 2900 Bristol St., Suite H-106, Costa Mesa. Call: (714) 751-1101.

SHANTI O.C.

Laguna Shanti, an organization that works with persons with HIV or AIDS, is seeking volunteers to assist with running the front office, delivering meals, providing transportation and providing complimentary therapies such as massage, acupuncture and chiropractic care. Call: Carolyn Spivak, (949) 452-0888.

SHARE OUR SELVES

Share Our Selves ? a nonprofit charitable organization in Costa Mesa ? has been serving Orange County’s low-income population for more than 35 years, providing free medical and dental care, as well as emergency food, clothing, financial assistance, and counseling to those in need. The organization needs volunteers to serve in many areas. Call: (949) 642-3451.

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. Call: (949) 548-8861.

SOUTH COAST LITERACY COUNCIL

Volunteer tutors are needed to meet a greater demand for 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 one-on-one. Volunteers are needed at centers all over Orange County. Call: Mary Fitzgerald, (949) 458-8664.

SOUTH COAST REPERTORY THEATER

The South Coast Repertory Theater needs volunteers to help with ushering and other functions. Call: (714) 708-5500.

SPEAK UP NEWPORT

A nonprofit organization that promotes 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 Yacht Club, 1099 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. A reception begins at 5:30 p.m., and meetings begin at 6 p.m. Annual membership dues are $20. Send check to “Speak Up Newport,” P.O. Box 2594, Newport Beach, CA 92663. Call: (949) 224-2266.

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 babies in need. The items are donated to hospitals across the country. Patterns are available, and donated yarn is appreciated. Call: Kathy Silverton, (310) 472-6903.

SURFRIDER FOUNDATION

The Surfrider Foundation Newport Beach Chapter is a grassroots, nonprofit environmental organization that works to protect the oceans, waves and beaches through its Conservation Activism Research and Education program. Call: (949) 631-6273.

SWEET ADELINES OF ORANGE COUNTY

The singing group invites women who like to sing to join them Tuesday nights for four-part harmony, or barbershop-style singing. Call: (949) 495-5685.

UNDERGROUND

The Underground program, a function of Child’s Pace, provides social activities and interaction for adolescents. Volunteers are needed in many areas. Call: (949) 548-8849.