Modesto area 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.
INTER-FAITH MINISTRIES
NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older Nov. 23-25 to help bag and take groceries to cars of individuals who are receiving Thanksgiving food. Youths ages 16-17 are welcome with parent. Individuals also needed to go through the clothes closet to find warm clothing. Shifts 8:30 a.m. to noon. Donations of turkeys, nonperishable food and gently used or new clothing also appreciated.
CONTACT: Charles Webber, 209-572-3117, cwebber@interfaithmodesto.org
SALVATION ARMY MODESTO CITADEL
NEEDED: Volunteer of all ages to participate in Christmas Kettle Campaign to help raise funds for the Salvation Army Christmas, senior basket programs and January relief efforts. Staff a Christmas Kettle and ring the bell to solicit donations from holiday shoppers outside of businesses in Modesto and Ceres. Agency staff will set up, provide training and pick up kettle and donations after shift. Flexible day and evening shifts Nov. 13 through Dec. 24. Youths can participate with adult.
CONTACT: Brian Aird, 209-522-3209, Brian.Aird@usw.salvationarmy.org
U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE
NEEDED: Volunteers, ages 16 and older, for Toys for Tots holiday program. Volunteers will sort and bag donated toys through Dec. 1 during arranged daytime hours. Flexible shifts available. Volunteers also needed to distribute throughout Stanislaus County by working with the many local organizations Dec. 10-16. Donations of new toys, games, sports equipment, etc., for children and especially teens, are needed.
CONTACT: Sign-ups are done through the foundation website: www.toysfortots.org
DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER
Needed: Volunteers 25 and older for various tasks within the hospital, such as staffing at the Gift Box. Other opportunities may include helping direct patients and visitors, assisting family members in the emergency room, escorting discharged patients by wheelchair, assisting staff with errands, stocking supply carts, making coffee for doctors and families, clerical and more. Interested volunteers are asked to commit to working two 3.5-hour shifts per month for one year. All volunteers will receive a 25-hour training orientation in the areas of service selected. Volunteers must pass a background check.
Contact: Sandi O’Neill, 209-342-3124, sandra.oneill@tenethealth.com
SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Needed: Volunteers and their friendly pets to visit residents of convalescent hospitals and care facilities through the SPCA Pet Outreach Program. Children are welcome if well supervised by a parent. Volunteers accompany their pets as they socialize with residents in facilities throughout the community. During these visits animals are often successful in increasing communication, decreasing anxiety, and in cutting through the barriers that isolate people. Pets need to be friendly and like to be handled. Visits are made the first and second Saturday mornings and the third Wednesday mornings of each month.
Contact: Mary Davis, marydavis45@sbcglobal.net
UNITED WAY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY
Needed: Volunteers 18 and older to support the United Way’s CHEF Health Initiative at Caswell Elementary School in Ceres and Bret Harte Elementary School in Modesto. The CHEF initiative has two parts: providing bags of healthful food to elementary students in after-school programs, and providing nutrition education classes for parents and students. Volunteering in the nutrition workshops entails guiding activities and supporting teachers. Volunteers also are needed twice a month to prepare food bags. Volunteers will need to fill out an application and pass a background check.
Contact: Cory Brown, 209-523-4562, CBrown@uwaystan.org
STANISLAUS HEALTH
FOUNDATION
Needed: Volunteers 18 and older to serve as board members. The foundation’s mission is to provide funding and support to the Health Services Agency and the Valley Family Medicine Residency Program through health care scholarships, preventive programs and equipment for quality patient care. The foundation’s priorities support community health initiatives, create community health awareness, generate income to fund health programs and educate Stanislaus County residents.
Contact: Joyce Decker, 209-558-4179, jdecker@schsa.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 equipment purchases, scholarships and Adopt-A-Family.
Contact: Joyce Decker, 209-558-4179, jdecker@schsa.org
This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 12:08 PM with the headline "Modesto area volunteer opportunities."