Stanislaus County volunteer opportunities

Volunteers are needed by several groups in and around Modesto.

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

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 campers as they learn to cope. 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

LEARNING QUEST

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 years and older spend 90 minutes twice a week increasing a student's basic reading skills. Learning Quest currently has 32 adults who have requested help with reading and need a volunteer literacy tutor. The next tutor orientation is July 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and the training will be held on July 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Both are offered at Learning Quest, 1032 11th St. in Modesto. The times and days depend on the schedule of the volunteer who will be matched with a student with similar availability. There is a $10 cost for training materials, however the fee can be waived if requested.

CONTACT: Natalie Melton, (209) 558-4505, nmelton@lqslc.com

PARENT RESOURCE CENTER

NEEDED: Volunteers age 14 years and older on an ongoing basis to assist with childcare supervision participating in fun, creative activities while parents are attending class on site. Play games, sing songs and help children increase their developmental skills. Volunteers need to commit to two hours per week. Volunteers must have a current TB clearance and a background check for individuals 18 years and older.

CONTACT: Debbie Root, (209) 549-8193, rootd@prcfamilies.org

STANISLAUS COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to greet visitors of the HSA Gift Shop, provide customer service, sell merchandise, wrap gifts as requested and perform general store cleaning. Requires a 1-year commitment of 1 day per week. Gift Shop hours are Tuesday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Must pass a background check and drug screening. Training is provided. All proceeds of the Gift Shop are donated to the Health Services Agency.

CONTACT: Joyce Decker, (209) 558-4179, jdecker@schsa.org

This story was originally published May 28, 2015 at 2:03 PM with the headline "Stanislaus County volunteer opportunities."