Lend a Hand: Volunteer opportunities in the Modesto region

Call the Volunteer Center of United Way at (209) 524-1307, email volunteer@uwaystan.org or go to http://getconnected.uwaystan.org.

Volunteers needed for special events

▪ INTER-FAITH MINISTRIES THANKSGIVING MEALS

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older are needed Nov. 24-26 to help bag groceries and take groceries to cars of individuals who are receiving Thanksgiving food. Youth ages 16-17 are welcome with parent. Individuals also need to help with the clothes closet to find warm clothing. Shifts are available between 8:30a.m. and noon. Donations of turkeys, nonperishable food, and gently used or new clothing also appreciated.

CONTACT: Charles Webber, cwebber@interfaithmodesto.org, (209) 572-3117

▪ MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE Turkey Trot & Gobbler Walk

NEEDED: Volunteers, ages 18 years and older, are needed Nov. 27 to assist with set up and clean up, distribute refreshments and to direct participants throughout the course beginning at 7:30 a.m. The race features half-mile runs for boys and girls under 13 years of age, a 5K run, and the 3.1 Gobbler Walk for all ages. Volunteers also are needed the day before the event to set up. Registration is required for all participants and will take place at the Tuolumne Regional Park, 1200 Tioga Drive in Modesto.

CONTACT: Demetrius Snaer, SnaerD@mjc.edu, (209) 575-6279

▪ SALVATION ARMY – MODESTO CITADEL Christmas Kettle Campaign 2014

NEEDED: Individuals needed through Dec. 24 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 and Ceres through Dec. 24. Agency staff will set up, provide training, and pick up kettle and donations after shift. Flexible day and evening 4-hour shifts are available throughout the holiday season.

CONTACT: Micki Bizek, (209) 522-3209, michelle.bizek@usw.salvationarmy.org

▪ SOROPTIMIST COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS TREE

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older are needed Nov. 22 to Dec. 20 to assist shoppers, track paperwork, receive, tag and organize. 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 (usually warm clothing, shoes, etc.), and return the gifts with the tag to the kiosk. Additional volunteers are needed to wrap the gifts on various dates starting Nov. 24. 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 are not selected. Volunteers can also signup online at www.signupschedule.com/scct for the tree volunteering and at www.signupschedule.com/scctwraproom for the wrap room.

CONTACT: Gabriele Rude, (209) 604-8700, scctmodesto@yahoo.com

Ongoing volunteer positions

▪ AARP Tax Aide Program

NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older to prepare federal and state income tax returns for seniors, ages 50 and older in Modesto, Newman, Patterson and Turlock. Volunteers are especially needed on the West Side of Stanislaus County. Volunteers should be comfortable working with numbers, have some familiarity with simple tax returns and computer experience. All volunteers receive a free training in January 2015 and are asked to volunteer at least four hours per week starting Feb. 1.

CONTACT: Margaret Land, margaretland@sbcglobal.net, (888) 687-2277

▪ AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP

NEEDED: Volunteers age 14 years and older can gain retail experience while they cashier, sort, price and steam merchandise and set up displays. Volunteers are needed four hours per week with flexible day and evening shifts available. Store hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Donations of new or gently used items, such as costume and fine jewelry, clothing, art, antiques or collectables, also are needed.

CONTACT: Pat Dickerson, (209)544-9279

▪ OPERATION 9-2-99

NEEDED: Volunteers 16 and older to help with the Tuolumne River Clean-Up Project on Dec. 13. Duties include hauling tires and shopping carts out of the river and removing trash along the riverbank. Individuals and groups are encouraged to volunteer and asked to bring gloves, water, hat and sunscreen.

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

▪ 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. Foster Care volunteers provide a nurturing home for kittens and/or puppies until they are ready for adoption. The Foster Care opportunity is 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. Please bring completed application with you to the orientation.

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

This story was originally published November 14, 2014 at 12:39 PM with the headline "Lend a Hand: Volunteer opportunities in the Modesto region."