* 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.

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, victims

of neglect or both. (714) 850-8444.

READING BY 9

The mentor reading program seeks volunteers to read to students in

kindergarten through the 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 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.

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. Call (714) 550-7369,

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. Volunteers

are asked to donate at least one hour per week for a six-month

period. Substitute drivers are also needed to fill in for regular

drivers. (714) 840-6611 or (714) 891-0804.

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 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. (714)

751-1101.

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 Orange Coast College 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 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. There are centers all over Orange County. Once

trained, tutors may choose the center at 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 p.m., 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, or Barbershop-style singing.

(949) 495-5685.

TELL-A-FRIEND

Orange County cancer groups seek volunteers to 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.

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.

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN

The Costa Mesa-based organization provides support for needy women

to become self-sufficient by gaining employment. Volunteers are

needed in the organization’s Professional Clothes Closet to assists

clients and sort clothing. The organization is at 711 W. 17th St.,

Suite A-10, Costa Mesa. (949) 631-2333.