* GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in...
* GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the Daily Pilot. 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.
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.
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 (949) 640-4777.
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.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Newport-Mesa
The three area clubs need volunteer coaches and arts and crafts
teachers. (949) 642-2245.
Costa Mesa Civic Playhouse
The playhouse needs volunteers for ushering, backstage work,
mailings, typing, controlling lights and many other duties. (949)
650-5269.
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.
Costa Mesa Historical Society
The society collects information, photos and artifacts relating to
the history of Costa Mesa and the harbor area. Volunteers are needed
for clerical tasks and computer input. (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.
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.
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.
Crisis Assistance Program Inc.
The nonprofit organization is seeking volunteers for its expanding
trauma response program. Some volunteers assist law enforcement,
firefighters and emergency-type responders by providing emotional
first aid and support to injured or traumatized people. Other
volunteers provide dispatch and office support. No experience is
necessary. Training will be provided. (949) 588-1414.
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 and to
help in programs for children with disabilities and in special
events. (714) 834-1111.
Environmental Nature Center
Volunteer trail guides are needed to help visitors learn about
their environment. (949) 645-8489.
FISH -- Mobile Meals
Call (949) 642-6060 to help Friends in Service to Humanity assist
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 Newport Beach Library
The book store needs book 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
that 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.
Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts of Orange County needs volunteers to be trained as
troop leaders, serve on special committees and give lectures,
demonstrations or classes. (714) 979-7900.
Girls Inc. of Orange County
Volunteers are needed to offer educational and enrichment
opportunities for girls and boys. (949) 646-7181.
Human Options
The organization shelters, counsels and educates abused women and
children. It is looking for volunteers. (949) 737-5242, Ext. 24.
Jewish Family Service of Orange County
Volunteers are needed for Project Caring, which provides
socialization and cultural experiences and Shabbat and holiday
celebrations to the Jewish residents and others at Fairview
Developmental Center in Costa Mesa. Volunteers will “adopt” a
facility to provide programming of Jewish content to the residents on
a monthly basis and will be required to take a TB test and undergo a
fingerprinting background check. Volunteers are needed to provide
comfort and support to the Jewish terminally ill and their families.
The group also sponsors an ongoing Jewish healing support group for
people experiencing chronic illness at 7 p.m. Thursdays at the Jewish
Family Service, 250 E. Baker St., Suite G, Costa Mesa. Free.
Preregistration required. (714) 445-4950.
Junior League of Orange County
The organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism,
developing the potential of women and improving communities through
the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers, is seeking
new members. (949) 261-0823.
Kaiser Permanente Hospice Services
Volunteers are needed to provide four hours per week visiting
patients or doing errands for them or their caregivers in communities
near volunteers’ homes. (562) 622-3805.
Laguna Greenbelt Inc.
Volunteers are needed to assist Laguna Coast Wilderness Park staff
and James Dilley Preserve staff and docents with hiker registration
and general public orientation. (949) 488-0287.
Laguna Shanti
Laguna Shanti, an organization that works with sufferers of HIV
and AIDS, is seeking caring volunteers to assist with running the
front office, delivering meals, providing transportation and
providing complimentary therapies such as massage, acupuncture and
chiropractic care. Lisa Toghia, (949) 494-1446.
Lifeline Living Centers
Mentally ill adults rely on the Newport Beach center for
residential housing. It needs
professional fund-raisers to support and maintain this resource.
Master Chorale of Orange County
The performing arts organization needs volunteers for computer
input, ticketing, filing and handling phones. (714) 556-6262.
Mentor Program
YMCA Community Services needs mentors to make a lasting effect on
a young person’s life. Students from 10 to 18 years old are matched
with mentors to improve their school performance and self-esteem
while developing positive peer and adult relationships. (714)
549-9622, Ext. 35.
Mozart Classical Orchestra
Orange County’s only nonprofit resident chamber orchestra needs
volunteers for ticketing, ushering, phones, mailing and help with
receptions. Nominees are also being sought for the board of
directors. (949) 830-2950.
New Directions for Women Inc.
The recovery center for adult women with alcohol and other
chemical dependencies seeks volunteers. (949) 548-9927 between 10
a.m. and 6 p.m.; or Joy, (949) 548-8754.
Newport Bay Naturalist
The Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve is looking for volunteers to
assist with naturalist-led tours and programs, special events, and
habitat restoration projects. The interpretive center is at 2301
University Drive, Newport Beach. (714) 973-6829.
Newport Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau
The bureau is dedicated to the promotion of the city to potential
visitors. Volunteers with extensive knowledge of Newport Beach
needed. (949) 722-1611.
Newport Beach Library Literacy Program
The program seeks volunteers to tutor adults wishing to improve
their reading and writing skills. Training workshops at the Central
Library will certify volunteers. (949) 717-3874.
Newport Beach Premiere Cinema Guild
The Newport Beach Premiere Cinema Guild, which supports the
Newport Beach Film Festival, is looking for new members. Interested
candidates should want to help further an artistic and cultural
heritage in the community, should have a love of cinema and a
willingness to raise awareness of the film festival. (949) 253-2880.
Newport Beach Public Library Foundation
The library foundation needs extra hands to perform clerical
duties, such as filing, organizing and stuffing envelopes, at the
Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. (949) 717-3890.
Newport Beach Recital Series
The Friends of The Newport Beach Recital Series Guild needs
volunteers to assist in fostering music appreciation so classical
music will endure. (949) 644-4208.
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum offers a number of volunteer
opportunities in the gift shop, as docents or receptionists, with
clerical work and with fund-raising events. Training is provided.
(949) 675-2355.
Newport-Mesa YMCA
The YMCA needs a variety of general volunteer help. (949)
642-9990.
Newport-Mesa School Foundation
The foundation is looking for volunteers to help with fund-raising
efforts, speaking opportunities, public events and occasional office
work. (949) 631-4143.
Newport Theatre Arts Center
A variety of jobs need to be tackled, including set construction,
ushering, mailings and assorted technical duties. Scheduling is
flexible, with a two- to 20-hour commitment per month. The Newport
Theatre Arts Center is at 2501 Cliff Drive. (949) 631-0288.
Oasis Senior Center
Meals on Wheels volunteers are needed to distribute prepared
dishes to homebound seniors in the Newport Beach area. The delivery
time is between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. The Oasis Senior Center
also needs volunteer nurses for its bimonthly blood pressure
screenings. The center offers this service between 9 and 11 a.m. on
the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Volunteers should commit
two hours once a month or volunteer on a substitute basis. The center
is at 800 Marguerite Ave., Corona del Mar. (949) 644-3244.
Opera Pacific
The Opera Pacific Guild Alliance, a support group for Opera
Pacific, has activities for volunteers. (949) 474-4488.
Operation Clean Slate
Operation Clean Slate, a Costa Mesa-based organization that
focuses on graffiti prevention, needs volunteers to paint out
graffiti and assist with other duties. Michael Howard, (714)
435-0745.
OCC Nautical Library
Orange Coast College’s School of Sailing and Seamanship needs book
donations for its Nautical Library. Thousands of volumes of
boating-related titles are needed. The School of Sailing and
Seamanship is at 1801 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach. (949)
645-9412.
Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter
The largest family shelter in the county needs volunteers for its
children’s programs. It
especially desires tutors and those who can take part in
activities past 6 p.m. Tutors will
work with groups of children or individually helping children in
their academic problem areas. Volunteers will also act as a Big
Brother/Big Sister during the summer. Jaime Mayo, (949) 631-7213.
Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center
The center needs volunteers to work with high-risk families and
children, providing weekly emotional support to families, infants and
first-time mothers in their homes. OCCAPC is asking for a three-hour
weekly commitment. (714) 543-4333.
Orange County Community Development Council
Volunteers are needed for a variety of functions. (714) 839-6199.
Orange County Homeless Task Force
The task force is recruiting volunteers for the Interfaith Council
Network to work one on one with homeless adults in a program on basic
life skills. (949) 263-1774.
Orange County Museum of Art
Learn more about art and share with your community by becoming a
docent at the Orange County Museum of Art. A docent is a volunteer
who guides adults and school groups through the galleries and teaches
about the museum’s collections and exhibitions. (949) 759-1122, Ext.
204.
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.
Pacific Symphony Orchestra
The Orange County Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s Volunteers in
Education Opportunities program needs volunteers to assist children
in a variety of hands-on musical activities. Volunteers spend a total
of six Saturday mornings with the children. (714) 755-5788, Ext. 244.
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.
Prime Dynamics
Prime Dynamics, a Newport Beach nonprofit organization for the 99
and younger set, needs volunteers for its programs. (949) 262-7300.
Project Cuddle
Project Cuddle, a nonprofit organization, serves the needs of
abused, abandoned and
drug-exposed children. In addition to office help and
once-a-month, 12-hour hotline shifts, volunteers are needed for an
auxiliary group, fund-raising committees and to help distribute
stickers to stop babies from being abandoned in trash bins. The
organization also needs donated gift items for mothers and babies.
(714) 432-9681.
Project Together
Project Together seeks adult volunteers to establish a trusting,
one-to-one relationship with children stressed from family problems
and abuse. This component of the Orange County Health Care Agency’s
Children’s Mental Health Services offers training and supervision for
the program. Many of the children are economically deprived and
victims of neglect. (714) 850-8444.
Reach Out for Seniors
Volunteers are needed to provide companionship and friendship to
isolated seniors in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Training and
support are offered, and volunteers must be 18 or older. (949)
442-1000.
Reading By 9
The mentor reading program seeks volunteers to read to students in
kindergarten through third grade. In Costa Mesa, 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, need help in assisting 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.
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. (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. (714) 550-5369 and ask for membership.
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. Theresa Rowe, (949) 757-1456.
Senior Meals and Services Inc.
Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to homebound senior
citizens residing in Costa Mesa who are not able to prepare their own
meals and do not have anyone to prepare meals for them. A hot lunch
is delivered Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to the
senior’s home. A one-day-a-week commitment is all that is asked.
Substitute drivers are also needed to fill in for regular drivers.
(949) 631-8171.
Serving People in Need
Serving People in Need, also know as SPIN, is looking for
volunteers to help prepare sack 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 also serves as family
advisors or mentors and conducts workshops on budgeting and more.
Visit SPIN at 2900 Bristol St., Suite H-106, Costa Mesa. (714)
751-1101.
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.
Vantage Foundation
The Vantage Foundation supports employment and community training
for adults with developmental disabilities. Volunteers are needed.
(949) 645-7833.
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.
West Side Boys & Girls Club
Volunteers are needed from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays
to tutor students in first through sixth grades in reading. (949)
631-7724.
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 client intake and dressing,
donation collection, sorting clothes and general office work. (714)
631-2333.
WYLAND FOUNDATION
The Wyland Foundation, which encourages greater awareness of ocean
conservation, is seeking volunteers for clerical and computer help
and grant writing. (949) 497-6723.
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