Lend a Hand

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:

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

STANISLAUS ANIMAL SERVICES AGENCY

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 and older 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. Foster care volunteers provide a nurturing home for kittens and/or puppies until they are ready for adoption. Available for volunteers of all ages (under 18 years with a parent). All volunteers 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 bring completed application to orientation.

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

LEARNING QUEST

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 years and older to 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 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. July 16, and the training will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 18. Both are held 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 child care 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 tuberculosis clearance and a background check for those 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 retail store duties. Requires at least a six-month commitment of one day per week. Ongoing training provided. All proceeds of the gift shop are donated to the Health Services Agency for medical equipment purchases, scholarships and programs such as Adopt-A-Family.

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

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older are needed to assist with the Road to Recovery program, which provides free rides to and from treatment for people with cancer who do not have a ride or are unable to drive themselves. Volunteer drivers donate their time and the use of their cars so that patients can receive the life-saving treatments they need. All volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and insurance, be available at least once a month to drive and have computer access. Training is required as well as passing a background and DMV check. Drivers are needed in several areas of Stanislaus County.

CONTACT: Linda Sites, 209-524-7241, linda.sites@cancer.org

FIRST TEE OF CENTRAL VALLEY

NEEDED: Volunteers 13 and older are needed for outreach programs and to assist at the clinics. First Tee impacts lives of area youths by providing programs to ensure character development and the mastery of life skills through instruction in the game of golf. Volunteers are not required to be golfers. Volunteers play a key role in creating positive relationships that inspire young people to become confident, responsible citizens. Ten-week sessions are held spring, summer and fall at Modesto Municipal Golf Course, Monday through Thursday afternoons and on Saturday mornings.

CONTACT: Cathy Mendoza, 209-485-3915, cathy@thefirstteecentralvalley.org

OPERATION 9-2-99

NEEDED: Volunteers are needed to help with the Tuolumne River Clean-Up Project. Duties include hauling tires and shopping carts out of the river and removing trash along the riverbank. Cleanup days are one Saturday a month: July 11, Aug. 15, Sept. 12, Oct. 10 and Nov. 14. Individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer and asked to bring gloves, water, hat and sunscreen. Visit https://goo.gl/lZgngS for more details and to sign up.

CONTACT: Chris Guptill, guptill.c@monet.k12.ca.us

This story was originally published June 26, 2015 at 11:43 AM with the headline "Lend a Hand."