* GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the...

* GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the Daily Pilot on a rotating

basis. For information on adding your organization to this list, call

(949) 574-4298.

ACADEMIC YEAR IN AMERICA

Costa Mesa families can host a German student and earn up to

$1,000 toward a number of travel-abroad programs. Danielle Carpino,

(800) 322-HOST.

ALS ASSN., ORANGE

COUNTY CHAPTER

The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assn., which helps individuals

who have the disorder that is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease,

needs volunteers. (714) 375-1922.

ALZHEIMER’S ASSN.

OF ORANGE COUNTY

Support group leaders, Visiting Volunteers, family resource

consultants and office volunteers are needed. Volunteers may work on

one-time projects or ongoing programs. Training sessions are

available. (800) 660-1993.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The Orange County Region of the American Cancer Society seeks

office volunteers. The society also seeks volunteers to answer calls

for the unit’s Helpline InfoCenter. (949) 261-9446.

AMERICAN CANCER

SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP

The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop needs unwanted goods

such as clothing, furniture, jewelry, accessories, antiques and

collectibles to fund the society’s research, education and patient

services programs. The goods may be dropped off at 2600 E. Coast

Highway, Corona del Mar. Volunteers are also needed from 10 a.m. to 5

p.m. Monday through Saturday at the same location. (949) 640-4777.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

ROAD TO RECOVERY

The transportation program needs volunteers to drive cancer

patients to and from medical treatments free of charge. The required

commitment is a few hours each week or month. Drivers must have a

valid driver’s license and insurance and be at least 25. Volunteers

may use either their own vehicles or American Cancer Society vans.

(949) 261-9446 or scomer@cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society is also looking for volunteer speakers

for its Speakers Bureau program, which offers a free service to

communities, schools and corporations by providing trained speakers

to address cancer issues. The organization will train all interested

volunteers at a special session on Dec. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

at the Spectrum Club, 1535 Deerpark Drive in Fullerton. For

reservations, call Florence Dann at (949) 567-0604 by Nov. 22.

AMERICAN HEART ASSN.

The American Heart Assn. is looking for volunteers to perform

various general office duties in the main office and implement

educational and fund-raising events through Orange County. No

experience necessary. Training will be provided. (949) 856-3555.

AMERICAN HOME HEALTH

HOSPICE PROGRAM

The American Home Health Hospice Program needs volunteers to give

emotional support to terminally ill patients and their families in

the greater Orange County area. Training is provided. (714) 550-0800

or (800) 540-2545.

AMERICAN RED CROSS,

ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER

The chapter needs volunteers to address community groups about Red

Cross services and to act as liaisons with the media in disaster and

emergency situations. Lynn Howes, (714) 481-5376.

ANIMAL NETWORK

OF ORANGE COUNTY

Become a bottle-feeder or take in pregnant cats at your home. Many

shelters kill pregnant cats upon arrival. Dogs and cats are also

available for adoption.(949) 759-3646 or www.animalnetwork.org.

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE

OF NEWPORT-MESA

Volunteers looking for varying levels of involvement are needed to

help the organization with its goal of helping children in the

community. (949) 645-6929.

ASSN. RENAISSANCE CREATORS

The Costa Mesa group sponsors and supports outreach community

service programs, such as the homeless sanctuary. Volunteers are

needed. (714) 540-5803.

BEST BUDDIES

The nonprofit organization is looking for volunteers 18 and older

to provide companionship for adults with developmental disabilities.

As a “Citizen Buddy,” volunteers will visit with a buddy twice a

month and call or e-mail them once a week. The organization also has

an e-Buddies program that forms friendships entirely over the

Internet. Volunteers for that program must be at least 12 years old.

(714) 546-1826 or www.bestbuddies.org.

BIG BROTHERS, BIG SISTERS

The local chapter is looking for men and women older than 20 who

have lived in Orange County for at least six months and have been on

the job for at least three months to serve as big brothers or big

sisters for children ages 6 to 16 from single-parent homes. (714)

544-7773.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA INC.

Volunteer opportunities for the Orange County Council include

fund-raising, program development and training to existing troops and

packs. (714) 546-4990.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS

OF NEWPORT-MESA

The three area clubs need volunteer coaches and arts and crafts

workshop teachers. Call for locations. (949) 642-2245.

BRAILLE INSTITUTE’S

ORANGE COUNTY CENTER

The nonprofit organization is looking for volunteers with a basic

knowledge of Windows 95/98, Microsoft Word and a willingness to learn

the adaptive equipment used by its students to participate in various

activities at the Oasis Senior Center in Corona del Mar. Volunteers

will tutor legally blind adult students using computers and other

adaptive technology. Mary Johnson, (714) 821-5000, ext. 2113.

CAMP LAUREL FOUNDATION

Camp Laurel is seeking volunteer counselors and medical staff for

Summer Camp and Teen Adventure Camp. The organization is dedicated to

providing educational camping programs free of charge to children

living with HIV and AIDS. Call (323) 653-5005.

COMPANION HOSPICE

The Hospice is now recruiting volunteers to become a friend for

someone who needs that extra special caring at the end-of-life.

Become a member of a team whose goal is to promote quality of life

and comfort measures. Each applicant will receive 16 hours of

orientation and training. For more information, call (714) 560-8177

or e-mail volunteers@ CompanionHospice.com.

COMMUNITY ANIMAL NETWORK

The network needs volunteers to help control the rising population

of wild cats in local neighborhoods. Volunteers would trap and

deliver cats to local veterinarians for spaying or neutering, and

then release them back to the property where they were found. The

goal of the program is to save the lives of stray cats. (949)

759-3646.

COSTA MESA

CIVIC PLAYHOUSE

The playhouse needs volunteers for ushering, backstage work,

mailings, typing, controlling lights and many other duties. (949)

650-5269.

COSTA MESA

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The society preserves and promotes the history of Costa Mesa and

the harbor area. Volunteers are needed for the archives, library,

museum, docent and public outreach programs. (949) 631-5918.

COSTA MESA

LITERACY COUNCIL

The Costa Mesa Literacy Center needs volunteer tutors to teach

English as a second language. People who want to learn English as a

second language are also encouraged to call. Call to register. (714)

435-3310 or (714) 545-3445.

LITERACY PROGRAM

The program is always in need of volunteer tutors. No professional

teaching experience is required. To attain certification, a series of

training classes must be completed. For more information, contact

Literary Services at the Newport Beach Library, (949) 717-3874.

COSTA MESA MS

SELF-HELP GROUP

The Orange County chapter of the national Multiple Sclerosis

Society has started a new self-help group in Costa Mesa for people

newly diagnosed or with minimal symptoms of multiple sclerosis, or

both. The group meets at 11 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month.

(949) 650-7659.

COSTA MESA

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Seniors 55 and older are invited to help staff the Westside

substation. Volunteers are asked to work two four-hour daytime shifts

per week. They would be responsible for answering phones, bicycle

registration, fingerprinting, data entry and assisting with other

citywide projects. Seniors who can speak Spanish and English are also

needed. Call for an application. Fred Gaeckler, (714) 754-5208.

COSTA MESA SENIOR CENTER

The multipurpose senior services facility at the corner of 19th

Street and Pomona Avenue seeks volunteers who can greet members and

the public at the front desk and volunteers for the Resource

Department with Excel computer experience and sharp telephone skills.

The Senior Meals program also needs people to deliver meals to homes.

(949) 645-2356.

COSTA MESA SENIOR CORP.

The nonprofit organization at the Costa Mesa Senior Center is

looking for new board members. The fund-raising and policymaking

board needs volunteers who will participate in monthly meetings,

occasional committee meetings and special projects. Candidates should

have connections in Costa Mesa and surrounding communities and an

interest in serving the community by helping seniors. (949) 645-2356,

ext. 16.

COURT-APPOINTED

SPECIAL ADVOCATES

Volunteers are needed to serve as advocates for abused, neglected

and abandoned children. Volunteers work one on one with a child for

three hours a week. (714) 663-9034.

CRISIS ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM INC.

The nonprofit organization is seeking volunteers for its expanding

trauma response program. Some volunteers assist law enforcement,

firefighters and other emergency-type responders by providing

emotional first aid and support to injured or traumatized people.

Other volunteers provide dispatch and office support. No experience

is necessary. Training will be provided. (949) 588-1414.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES

Volunteer mediators, case specialists and outreach assistants are

needed to help in a variety of mediation cases. Bilingual language

skills are needed for office volunteers and for mediators. (949)

250-0488.

EASTER SEALS

Easter Seals needs volunteers for ongoing clerical work, programs

for children with disabilities and special events. (714) 834-1111.

ENVIRONMENTAL

NATURE CENTER

Volunteer trail guides are needed to help visitors learn about

their environment. (949) 645-8489.

FAMILIES -- COSTA MESA

This team of community-based organizations, which works to provide

youth and families with counseling, family support, health education,

mentoring, tutoring, after-school activities and kinship services,

needs volunteers in all areas. (949) 574-3976.

FISH -- MOBILE MEALS

Call (949) 642-6060 to help Friends in Service to Humanity with

the Mobile Meals program and provide ongoing emergency assistance to

those in need. Both always seek volunteer assistance in a variety of

areas. (949) 645-8050.