Lend a Hand (9/23/2012)

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

• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, 5K Fund-raising Walk, Celebration of Survivorship

DATE: Oct. 14

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older are needed to help with setup Oct. 13, and setup and cleanup Oct. 14. Individuals of all ages are encouraged to walk in this first local event and to raise donations from family, friends and co-workers. Check-in is at 8 a.m. followed by an opening ceremony, with the walk beginning at 9 a.m. starting at the Gallo Center for the Arts and traveling through downtown Modesto. Visit www.makingstrideswalk. org/modesto.com.

LOVE MODESTO: A communitywide service day for volunteers to participate in helping those who are in need

DATE: Sept. 29

NEEDED: Volunteers of all ages (depending upon the activity) are invited to take part this year in family-friendly projects in Modesto and throughout Stanislaus County (Love Ceres, Love Turlock, Love Waterford, etc.) and the Central Valley. More than 60 projects offer a variety of opportunities to provide food to the hungry, collect toys for foster children, visit seniors, build a home, deliver baked goods and thanks to public servants such as fire or police departments, clean a park, donate blood to save lives, and much more. This inspiring event will kick off at a 9 a.m. rally in downtown Modesto in front of the Gallo Center for the Arts on I Street before volunteer groups disperse throughout the city. Go to www.lovemodesto.com.

• ONGOING VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

READING WORKS — Adult Literacy Program

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 and older are sought to meet twice a week for 90 minutes with adults needing help with their reading and writing skills. There are currently 23 adults waiting to be matched with a tutor. The location of the meeting must be a public building such as one of the library branches. The ReadingWorks staff takes the availability of the tutor and student into consideration when putting them together for tutoring services.

READINGWORKS — Tele-Tutor

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 years and older to tutor students from all around California who need a tutor and do not have any available in their area. Tele-Tutoring is a form of face-to-face tutoring that uses the Internet, similar to Skype. The equipment is located in the ReadingWorks office, inside the Modesto Library. Volunteers are needed Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will be matched with a student who has the same time availability. A minimum of six months' commitment is required.

UNITED WAY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 years and older are needed to assist individuals with tax returns and help clients claim their Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit money. VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an expanding program that helps low-income resident obtain free tax preparation services. Volunteer positions include preparer, greeter, screener, and child care. Flexible schedules are available at sites throughout Stanislaus County with opportunities available through April 2013. Some of these positions need to participate in a training program sanctioned by the IRS. The training program will be held in December and January.