Lend A Hand

Call the Volunteer Center of the United Way at 524-1307 or e-mail volunteer@uwaystan.org unless otherwise noted.

• AMERICAN RED CROSS — Help staff first-aid stations at public events. ARC trained volunteers are the premier providers of first-aid services for thousands of people who attend public events, including company picnics, concerts, fairs, fund-raisers, golf tournaments, etc. The booths are usually held on Saturdays throughout the year, and flexible scheduling is available. Two volunteer orientation sessions are scheduled for March 17-18 from 5 to 9 p.m. or March 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both sessions will be held in Modesto, and additional on-the-job training is provided. Volunteers must be 14 or older, complete an application and training (orientation and CPR and standard first-aid course), pass a background check and provide own transportation. Bilingual Spanish speakers are also encouraged to volunteer.

• CENTER FOR HUMAN SERVICES — Use your bilingual skills to assist at-risk families. Volunteers 18 and up are needed to provide Spanish/English translation services for parents and adolescents during group sessions focusing on strengthening communication, problem solving, managing behavior and discipline, adolescent development, family values, empathy, etc. The groups are held Thursdays between 5:30 and 8 p.m. Volunteers should work well with people of all ages and cultures, be nonjudgmental, follow agency guidelines and confidentiality policies, pass an agency-paid criminal justice fingerprint background check and health screenings, have a California driver's license and proof of insurance coverage.

• GLOBAL TRANSITIONS — Put your grant-writing experience to work to assist homeless veterans. An adult volunteer is needed to write a federal grant to support services to military families, veterans, foster youth and victims of fire with programs that assist them with transitional housing, education, resources, self-employment, jobs and accomplishing their goals. Volunteers must have prior experience writing federal grants, have the ability to work independently and on a short time line.

• STANISLAUS COUNTY LIBRARY — Bring access to the world through books to home-bound individuals in the Home Delivery Program. Volunteers are needed to select, check out, deliver and return library materials for home borrows. Volunteers should have an interest in books and reading, relate well with older and infirm individuals, be able to carry book bags up to 15 pounds, have a California driver's license and automobile insurance, be at least 16 and pass a background check.

• STANISLAUS COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT — Volunteers 18 and older are needed to help maintain county parks and grounds (plant, weed, trim, irrigate, repairs, operate and service machinery and equipment, etc.). Flexible scheduling is available Tuesday through Friday between 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Volunteers should have the ability to perform grounds maintenance and repair work, operate power equipment, use and care for hand and power tools and vehicles, identify potential safety hazards, understand and follow written and oral instructions and pass a background check.

• SUTTER GOULD MEDICAL FOUNDATION — Volunteers 16 and older are needed to greet and direct patients at front desk and throughout the facility. Mature volunteers are especially needed to welcome and assist patients with wheelchairs entering the building outside the entrance to the Coffee Road facility.