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.
LOVE MODESTO
NEEDED: Volunteers of all ages are invited to take part this year in family-friendly projects in Modesto and throughout Stanislaus County on April 23. More than 100 projects provide various opportunities, including offering food to the hungry, visiting senior adults, building a home for a family in need, delivering baked goods to public servants, cleaning a park and donating blood. Festivities will begin at 8 a.m. with free food and refreshments in front of the Gallo Center for the Arts on I and 10th streets. Love Modesto works with organizations such as Delta Blood Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Modesto Schools, World Relief, Without Permission and many others.
CONTACT: Jeff Pishney, 209-566-9343, jeff@lovemodesto.com, LoveModesto.com
RIDE FOR MOM
NEEDED: Volunteers of all ages are needed May 6 and 7 to help during this community organized bike ride. The funds for this ride go to non-profits that help encourage their motto Be Active, Eat Healthy, Live Better. Beneficiaries in 2016 include: El Concilio Binational Health Fair, Teens Run Modesto, Boys & Girls Club of Stanislaus County and others. Opportunities include setting up supplies, helping with check-in, loading and unloading supplies. Other shifts will be scheduled to help serve food, greet riders, and hand out medals. Youth volunteers will need a waiver signed by an adult. This event will take place at Johansen High School on Claus Rd. in Modesto.
CONTACT: Susan Dion, reach1@sbcglobal.net, RideForMom.com
STANISLAUS COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE
NEEDED: Volunteers 18 and older and registered California voters are needed to serve as Poll Workers on June 7 for the Presidential Primary Election. Bilingual and “on-call” Poll Workers are also needed. Poll Workers help set up the voter precinct, maintain ballot security, voting equipment, and assist voters as necessary. Poll Workers will receive a $95 stipend for their time and commitment, which includes serving 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Election Day and a mandatory 2- to 3-hour training class. Training classes in Modesto, Oakdale, Salida and Turlock are offered between May 17 and May 28.
CONTACT: Poll Worker Coordinator, (209) 525-5233, stanvote@stancounty.com, www.stanvote.com
DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER
NEEDED: Volunteers 25 and older who are willing to commit to working two 3.5-hour shifts per month for at least one year for the Service League volunteer program. All Volunteers will receive a 25-hour training orientation in the areas of service selected. Prospective volunteers must be dependable, organized, work well with people, complete the application process and pass a background check.
CONTACT: Sandi O’Neill, 209-342-3124 or Sandra.oneill@tenethealth.com
UNITED WAY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY
NEEDED: Volunteers needed 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 provides bags of healthy food as well as Nutrition Education Classes for parents and students. Volunteers can help build bags of healthy food on two Fridays a month and/or assist teachers in providing nutrition education on one Saturday a month.
CONTACT: Cory Brown, 209-523-4562, CBrown@uwaystan.org
INTERFAITH MINISTRIES
NEEDED: Volunteers ages 18 and older to help reduce the amount of wasted home-grown fruit and produce while increasing access to low-income families through the Gleaning & Gathering program. This program helps supply fresh produce to the Feed Modesto Food Pantry and Free Mobile Farmers Market at Interfaith Ministries. Individuals and groups are needed to help harvest produce, which is donated by residents throughout Stanislaus County. Times available are 9 a.m.-noon and typically there is only one to three days’ notice of dates when volunteers are needed. Travel is provided by the agency. Tools are provided. Bring your own lunch and water. You must be physically able to stand, stoop, lift and carry heavy items.
CONTACT: Naomi Pulido, npulido@interfaithmodesto.org, 209-572-3117.
STANISLAUS COUNTY
SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
NEEDED: Volunteers 22 and older for the STARS program. STARS citizen volunteers assist the Sheriff’s Department in many roles including patrolling the county, court security, jail assistance, vacation house checks, neighborhood watch and more. Must be able to commit to at least 10 hours a month, pass an oral board and pass a background investigation.
CONTACT: Deputy Del Nero, 209-558-8930
UNITED WAY OF STANISLAUS COUNTY
Needed: Volunteers 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 provides bags of healthy food as well as nutrition education classes for parents and students. Volunteers build bags of healthy food two Fridays a month and/or assist teachers in providing nutrition education one Saturday a month.
Contact: Cory Brown, 209-523-4562, CBrown@uwaystan.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 and perform general retail store duties. Requires at least a six-month commitment of one day per week. Ongoing training provided.
Contact: Joyce Decker, 209-558-4179, jdecker@schsa.org
This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 12:43 PM with the headline "Modesto-area volunteer opportunities."