Lend A Hand (11/4/12)

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

• VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPECIAL EVENTS

SALVATION ARMY MODESTO CITADEL: Thanks-for-Giving Dinner

DATE: Nov. 24

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 years and older or 12 to 17 years with parent, are asked to join the activities by helping set up and clean up, assist with pictures, face painting, serve dinner and more. Volunteer shifts are available between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. This event will take place at the Modesto Centre Plaza starting at 1 p.m. Monetary donations and nonperishable/canned foods are needed and appreciated.

UNITED SAMARITANS FOUNDATION:Thanksgiving Day Dinner Distribution

DATE: Nov. 22

NEEDED: Volunteers are needed to assist with dinner preparation, distribute meals from the United Samaritans lunch trucks, and clean up after distribution at the Hughson, Modesto, and Turlock sites. Volunteer shifts are available between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. depending upon site. Monetary donations and traditional precooked holiday food items are needed to help provide the 2,000 meals this Thanksgiving.

• ONGOING VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER

NEEDED: Committed Service League Volunteers over the age of 25, who have time to work at least two 3½ hour shifts per month. All volunteers will receive a 25-hour training orientation in the areas of service selected. Prospective volunteers must be dependable, organized, work well with people, commit to one year of service, complete the application process and pass a background check.

UNITED WAY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY — VITA Program

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older 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 residents obtain free tax preparation services. Volunteer positions include preparer, greeter, screener and child care assistant. Flexible schedules are available. Some will need to participate in a training program sanctioned by the IRS, to be held in December and January.

UNITED WAY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to help administer a community health assessment face-to-face survey. Surveys will be administered through Nov. 31. Volunteers will be responsible for collecting face-to-face surveys in one or more of the following ways: at public events or festivals, door to door outreach, and in front of businesses such as grocery stores (with permission). Volunteers will be asked to collect surveys from specific regions of Stanislaus County and will be matched to a region of their choice. Requirements include having reliable transportation, being physically able to walk or maneuver a wheelchair for at least 1 hour, and sign and adhere to a code of conduct, HIPPA self-study and safety self-study forms.

AARP — Tax Aide Program

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older are needed to prepare federal and state income tax returns for seniors, ages 50 and older in Modesto, Newman, Patterson and Turlock. Volunteers should be comfortable working with numbers, have some familiarity with simple tax returns, and computer experience. All volunteers receive a free 40-hour comprehensive training to be held early January and are asked to volunteer at least four hours per week between Feb. 1 and April 15.

HOWARD TRAINING CENTER

NEEDED: Volunteers are needed to provide office assistance, such as filing, copying materials, opening mail and answering the phone Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Howard Training Center provides vocational and nonvocational training to adults with disabilities.