Lend A Hand (7/15/12)

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

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY — The second annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer planning committee meeting is July 19. Volunteers 16 and older, are encouraged to attend this meeting at Gallo Center for the Arts to participate in volunteer positions at the second annual local communitywide event scheduled for Oct 14 in Modesto. Volunteers are also needed for the day of the event to help with registration, route runners, logistics and check-in which begins at 7 a.m. Visit www.makingstrideswalk.org/modesto.

COMMUNITY HOSPICE & HOSPICE OF SAN JOAQUIN — Truckin' for Hospice invites bikers, car enthusiasts and truckers to "rev up" to raise funds for Community Hospice and Hospice of San Joaquin on Saturday. Presented by the California Trucking Association, this 11th annual motorcycle/car rally features two starting points, one in Turlock and one in Stockton, and travels through the Mother Lode with unique stops along the 135-mile ride complete with refreshments, poker hands and a chance to win prizes. It concludes with a barbecue, music and raffle drawing in Modesto. Per-person rider fee is $30 preregistration or $35 after Monday, and can be purchased online at www.truckinforhospice.org. Fee includes a T-shirt, run pin, poker hand, food and drink. Volunteers 16 and older are needed to assist with event cleanup at 2:30 p.m. Individuals and businesses are also invited to become a sponsor for this event, with a variety of sponsorship levels available.

DELTA BLOOD BANK — The annual Dia De Donar Sangre (Donor Day) will take place Aug. 17 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Modesto and Stockton. The public is invited to this special drive to make a positive impact in the community. By working together, we can potentially save over 500 lives in just one day by donating blood. Adult volunteers who are bilingual in Spanish and English are needed to assist the staff with translation services from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. People-friendly volunteers age 16 and up also are needed to greet, direct and serve refreshments to donors at this special event between 6 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Flexible four-hour volunteer shifts are available for both positions.

DELTA BLOOD BANK — Run for Blood, 5K Run/Walk in Stockton to Benefit Delta Blood Bank & Dameron Hospital is Aug 4. Volunteers 18 and older; 17 and younger with an adult signed waiver; and 13 and under accompanied by an adult are needed to distribute posters, assemble goody bags, sort T-shirts and pick up packets prior to race day. Two separate shifts are available at 5:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. the day of the race to set up the course, register new participants, prepare refreshments, monitor the course and handle cleanup, which all will take place at Stockton Ballpark & Waterfront. Volunteers will need to attend a planning meeting on July 27, which includes pizza and a free race day T-shirt. Visit www.runforblood.com.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP — Volunteers 14 and older can gain retail experience while they cashier, sort, price and steam merchandise and set up displays. Interested individuals are asked to volunteer four hours per week and flexible day and evening shifts are available. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

RIVERBANK RAIDERS — Adult volunteers are needed to coach and condition young football players or cheerleaders for upcoming games and competitions. Youth volunteers, ages 15 to 17, are also needed to assist coaches. Volunteers mentor as needed and assist in development via leadership by example. Adult volunteers with first-responder certificates are also needed to act as field medics for injured players at practices and home games. Practices are held weekdays from 6 to 8 p.m. depending upon the level coached, July 9 through Nov. 24 at Castleberg Park in Riverbank. Home games take place at Riverbank High School, Prescott Middle School and Riverbank Sports Complex. Although a good understanding of the game or cheering experience is valued, it is not necessary. Adult volunteers must pass a background check.

SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS — Friendly pets and their humans, 18 and older, are needed to visit seniors in convalescent hospitals and care facilities through the SPCA Pet Outreach Program. Children are also welcome if supervised by a parent. Volunteers accompany their pets as they socialize with residents in facilities throughout the community. Pets need to be friendly and like to be handled. Visits are made the first and second Saturday morning and the third Wednesday morning of each month.