Lend a Hand (12/09/12)

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPECIAL EVENTS:

• SOROPTIMIST COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE

27th annual Soroptimist Community Christmas Tree

DATE: Through Dec. 19

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 and older are needed to assist shoppers with the selection, tracking paperwork, receiving, tagging, and organizing of gifts by agency as they are returned. This event will take place at Vintage Faire Mall across from the food courts. The tree is bursting with gift-request tags for 3,400 needy children, ages birth to 17 years. The public is invited to select a tag from the tree, check it out at the adjacent kiosk, shop for the child from the tag wish list and return the gifts with the tag to the kiosk. Additional volunteers are needed to wrap the gifts on various dates Dec. 3-20. Flexible shifts are available daily between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. for all opportunities. Monetary donations are also appreciated to purchase gifts for children whose tags were not selected.

• SALVATION ARMY

Christmas Kettle Campaign

DATE: Nov. 18-Dec. 24

NEEDED: Individuals are needed to help raise funds for the Salvation Army Christmas and Senior Basket programs and January relief efforts. Individuals, families, and groups are invited to be a part of this traditional holiday campaign by staffing a Christmas kettle and ringing the bell to solicit donations from holiday shoppers outside of local businesses throughout Modesto, Ceres and Turlock through Dec. 24. Agency staff will set up, provide training, and pick up kettle and donations after shift. Flexible day and evening four-hour shifts are available throughout the holiday season.

• SALVATION ARMY MODESTO CITADEL

Annual Christmas Dinner

DATE: Dec. 20

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 years and older are needed to assist with set up, serve dinner, distribute gifts to attendees, and clean up between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monetary donations, traditional holiday dinner items, candy, new toys for children of all ages, baby items, toiletries, warm clothing, etc. are needed. The Salvation Army is a not-for-profit, charitable and religious agency that provides assistance with emergency food, noon meals, information and referral, disaster aid, tax preparation services, youth programs and senior services.

• SALVATION ARMY MODESTO CITADEL

Coats for Kids Preparation and Distribution

DATE: Dec. 26-Dec. 28

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 and older are needed Dec. 26-27 to help sort, organize and hang donated coats for distribution. Volunteers are also needed on Dec. 28 to assist families with the selection, sizing and distribution of coats. Flexible shifts are available from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monetary donations and new or gently used coats in all sizes are needed and may be dropped off at the Salvation Army facility or any participating dry cleaner.

• ONGOING VOLUNTEER POSITIONS

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 training to be held early January and are asked to volunteer at least four hours per week between Feb. 1 and April 15.

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 assist. Flexible schedules are available. Some will need to participate in a training program sanctioned by the IRS, to be held in December and January.

VOLUNTEER CENTER OF UNITED WAY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to translate current brochures and other materials from English to Spanish. Interested volunteers should have strong English and Spanish writing skills, good attention to detail, the ability to meet deadlines and computer skills.

WATERFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT

NEEDED: Female volunteers 18 and older to act as a mentor to female middle school and high school students in their school district. The mentor must commit eight to 12 hours per month and be available between the hours of 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Mentors must be responsible, be able to maintain appropriate boundaries, be committed, friendly, understanding, supportive, encouraging and respectful of cultural differences. The mentors will be provided with a small stipend.