Lend a Hand

Call the Volunteer Center of United Way, (209) 524-1307, or email volunteer@uwaystan.org.

Volunteers needed for ongoing positions:

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP

NEEDED: Volunteers, age 14 years and older, to gain retail experience while they cashier, sort, price and steam merchandise, as well as set up displays. Volunteers work four hours per week, with flexible day and evening shifts 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. Donations of new or gently used items such as costume and fine jewelry, clothing, a piece of art, an antique, or a collectable also needed.

CONTACT: Pat Dickerson, (209) 544-9279

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF STANISLAUS COUNTY

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to help in after-school programs at two local elementary schools and one middle school. Tasks may include homework assistance and helping during activities or sports. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of one hour a week between the hours of 1:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, as needed. Applicants must fill out a volunteer application and attend an orientation. Qualified applicants will be interviewed. A background check, fingerprint clearance and a TB test are also required.

CONTACT: Sarah Bautista, (209) 416-3231, sbautista@bgcstan.org

COMMUNITY HOSPICE

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older as of July 6 to assist with Camp Erin, a four-day grief camp for children ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the death of someone close to them. Cabin Buddies creates a positive, fun, supportive and energetic atmosphere for its campers as they learn to cope with their losses. Volunteers will share in activities and meals, and will supervise the campers assigned to their cabins. They will receive training. To learn more about this and other Camp Erin volunteer opportunities, visit hospiceheart.org.

CONTACT: Dottie Jessen, (209) 969-1018, dottiegrace@sbcglobal.net

HEALTHY AGING ASSOCIATION

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to join the Young at Heart team of instructors who make a difference in the lives of older adults. Volunteer instructors are needed as soon as possible to lead group exercise classes in Hughson and Modesto. No experience is needed, only a passion for wellness and working with older adults. Free training certification is available for the right individuals.

CONTACT: Samantha Strauch, (209) 523.2800, sstrauch.healthyaging@gmail.com

HOPE HAVEN WEST

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older on Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon to help in the warehouse, 1324 Coldwell Ave., Modesto, sorting, boxing, assembling and packing wheelchairs. Hope Haven West collects discarded and used wheelchairs and ships them to vocational rehab units of 17 federal prisons, where prisoners refurbish the chairs. The refurbished chairs are then returned to the agency.

CONTACT: Liz Hosmer, (209) 485-4553, hopehavenwest@gmail.com

INTERFAITH MINISTRIES

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to help provide food and clothing to needy individuals and families weekdays. Warehouse volunteers pick up, receive, sort and distribute food to clients; food pantry volunteers interview clients, offer support and referrals, bag grocery orders and stock shelves; and clothes closet volunteers sort clothing and assist in the community clothes closet. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., depending on the position. Volunteers must be at least 18, or 16 to 17 with an adult’s permission, and be able to lift at least 25-40 pounds.

CONTACT: Shawna Teague, (209) 572-3117, steague@interfaithmodesto.org

COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES OF STANISLAUS COUNTY (CASA)

NEEDED: Volunteers 21 and older to become advocates for foster children. Advocates are the voice of the child during court proceedings, conduct case fact finding, and produce a court report for all court hearing based on what is in the best interest of the child. Interested individuals should attend an orientation on May 27 at 6 p.m. The next training will be held Monday and Wednesday evenings beginning June 1 through July 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. Volunteers must complete initial and ongoing training, attend daytime court hearings, maintain strict confidentiality, be computer literate with access to email, pass a fingerprint background check, possess a valid California driver’s license, a vehicle, show proof of insurance, and commit to volunteering a minimum of one year. Bilingual individuals are especially encouraged to volunteer. Additional program information can be found at http://www.casaofstanco.org.

CONTACT: Cindy Julsgard, casaofstanco@stanct.org, (209) 548-6320

STANISLAUS ANIMAL SERVICES AGENCY

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 and older are needed to socialize, exercise, and care for adoptable animals and assist the public with adoptions at the shelter. Flexible shifts are available Monday-Saturday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Volunteers can be any age (under 18 years with a parent) and must have a basic knowledge of animal care and animal handling experience, complete application process, and attend an orientation scheduled the third Wednesday each month 5:30-6:30 p.m. Please take completed application to the orientation.

CONTACT: Dorothy Nunes, (209) 342-1746, nunesd@stancounty.com

This story was originally published May 8, 2015 at 3:07 PM with the headline "Lend a Hand."