Lend A Hand (12/25/11)

Call the Volunteer Center of the United Way at (209) 524-1307 or e-mail volunteer@uwaystan.org.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY — 27th Annual Daffodil Days will "bloom" in our community this spring. Daffodils, one of the first flowers to bloom each year, are a symbol of hope for a world free of cancer and this springtime sale of fresh cut daffodils raises funds to support groundbreaking cancer research, education, early detection efforts, advocacy, and patient services. Bouquets are available at $10 and up depending upon selection and are available online at http://daffodil.acsevents.org/ca. Donations support the mission and allow the ACS to anonymously deliver bouquets to cancer patients in our community. Volunteers, ages 16 years and older, are needed to enter customer and order information utilizing MS Excel and Access beginning January 19. Volunteers, ages 18 years and up, are also needed now to assist with office duties and telephone calls. Both opportunities are available weekdays at the agency's new location at 1101 Sylvan Avenue, Suite C-105 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Training is provided.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES — Adult volunteers are needed to champion for seniors living in care homes as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman and to help them remain independent with the Transportation Program. Ombudsman volunteers, ages 18 years and older, investigate and resolve complaints, including reports of elder abuse and neglect, and advocate for the quality of life and quality of care on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities. Volunteers complete a 36-hour training course, are certified by the California Department of Aging, receive on-the-job guidance from trained staff, and commit to volunteering at least 15 flexible hours per month. The next volunteer training will be held Jan. 18, 19, 20, 23, and 25 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Transportation volunteers, ages 25 years and older, will drive seniors to doctor's appointments, errands, and grocery shopping throughout Stanislaus County. Flexible scheduling is available weekdays between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Volunteer drivers utilize an agency 7-passenger or wheelchair lift van or may use their own vehicle and receive mileage reimbursement. Volunteers must be a responsible driver with a valid California Drivers License, proof of insurance, and provide a DMV printout. Volunteers for both programs must complete the agency's application and training process and pass a fingerprint background check. (Cost is reimbursed by the agency.)

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ART ASSOCIATION — Share your appreciation of the arts as a docent with the C.C.A.A. Mistlin Gallery. Adult volunteers are needed to greet and assist gallery visitors, answer telephones, office duties, mailings, assist with events and shows, hang art, etc. Training is provided. Flexible scheduling is available between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday - Friday and 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. For more than 50 years, the C.C.A.A. has been providing Stanislaus County and surrounding areas with quality experiences for creative expression.

READINGWORKS ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM — Teach an adult to read and change the future! More than 100,000 Stanislaus County adults are in the two lowest levels of literacy and are considered functionally illiterate. You can change a person's life, their future, and their children's future by opening doors through reading. Volunteers, ages 16 years and older, spend just 2 to 3 hours per week increasing a student's basic reading skills utilizing an easy to follow phonics-based curriculum. A tutor orientation is scheduled for Jan. 18 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Modesto Library downstairs auditorium followed by a tutor training on Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the ReadingWorks Learning Center in Modesto. Volunteers are also needed to tutor students in math and assist with GED preparation one-to-one, in small groups, or in a lab setting. Flexible scheduling is available Monday -Thursday between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Volunteers for both programs must be at least 16 years of age. ReadingWorks, a partnership of the Stanislaus County Library and the Stanislaus Literacy Center, provides free literacy services for adults who need to improve their basic academic skills in Stanislaus County.