Volunteer Opportunities
Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve: The group needs volunteers in government and civilian workplaces to continue its mission of gaining employer support for reservists and guardsmen. (800) 336-4590 or www.esgr.mil.
Key Volunteers: Training is offered for military spouses who want to become key volunteers. The volunteers offer support to military families, particularly during deployments. Training is at the Religious Development Center on base. (760) 725-6637.
Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores: Tour guides are needed at the Santa Margarita Ranch House National Historic Site. Volunteers are also needed at the Marine Corps Command Mechanized Museum. Volunteers assist with research, restoration and development of school programs. Training provided. or (760) 433-1544.
CARLSBAD
Carlsbad City Library Adult Learning Program: Volunteers are needed to tutor adults in reading and writing. Orientation is provided. Location: 1207 Carlsbad Village Drive, Suite O, Carlsbad. (760) 434-2998 or www.carlsbadlibrary.org.
Carlsbad Arts Associates: Volunteers assist at Carlsbad Cultural Arts Office events. Projects include Cannon Art Gallery's art education program for area schoolchildren, concerts and the Multicultural Arts Festival in the spring. (760) 434-2903.
City of Carlsbad: Teach a child to swim, take lunch to the homebound or become a receptionist at the busy community center. (760) 434-2929.
Museum of Making Music: Volunteers assist staff in the museum's gift shop, greet visitors, give tours and help with administrative duties. (760) 438-5996, ext. 219.
Read to kids: The Georgina Cole Library, 1250 Carlsbad Village Drive, and Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane, are looking for volunteers to read to children Saturday mornings and to assist kids with their homework weekday afternoons. (760) 434-2877.
Senior Volunteer Patrol: Participants 55 and older are needed to enter a three-week Senior Volunteer Police Patrol Training Academy, which trains seniors to help reduce crime and provide a number of law enforcement services in the community. The training program is held each spring. (760) 931-2214.
CARMEL VALLEY
Carmel Valley branch library: The library, at 3919 Townsgate Drive, is looking for teen and adult volunteers to help with the front desk, shelving, word processing and programs. (858) 552-1668. Adults: ask for Carolyn. Teens: ask for Eileen.
DEL MAR
Del Mar Art Center: Volunteers are needed at the gallery in Del Mar Plaza, Suite 315B, 1555 Camino del Mar. Answering phones, greeting guests and watching over the center. Training is provided. The nonprofit organization focuses on fostering awareness and understanding of fine art in the community. (858) 481-1678.
Del Mar Community Connections: This senior services support group is looking for volunteers to help with clerical tasks, neighborhood coffees, fundraisers and driving. Location: Del Mar City Hall Annex, 1050 Camino del Mar. (858) 792-7565, or www.dmcc.cc.
Del Mar Foundation: Volunteers are needed to help with programs. The foundation sponsors cultural and athletic events and helps to improve local beaches and parkland. (858) 635-1363 or www.delmarfoundation.org or e-mail
Del Mar-Solana Beach Sunrise Rotary Club: The group welcomes volunteers to help host fundraisers for local youth clubs, high schools, senior centers and community projects. Nigel Mallett, (858) 454-3225 or e-mail
Del Mar TV: Produce TV programs and video projects by volunteering for the producers' group. Completion of classes required. Internships for college or high school credit available. Location: 240 10th St. (858) 755-3268, (858) 481-2882 or www.delmartv.com.
ENCINITAS
Out and About Transportation Program: The Encinitas Community and Senior Center is looking for volunteers to give rides to seniors. Volunteers are reimbursed for mileage. (760) 943-2256.
Encinitas Historical Society: Docents are needed to greet visitors and students at the 1883 schoolhouse. Volunteers learn how to maintain archival files and retrieve research material. A two-hour orientation will be provided. Time requirement: a Friday or Saturday afternoon twice a month. (760) 942-9066 or (760) 753-5726.
Hospice of the North Coast resale shop: The shop helps support patient care and bereavement services. Volunteer salespeople and cashiers are needed at 278 N. El Camino Real in the Camino Village Shopping Center. Jean Cole, (760) 943-9921.
San Dieguito Heritage Museum: Volunteers are needed at the museum, 561 S. Vulcan Ave. Training is provided. Volunteers must serve at least one afternoon each month, greeting visitors, helping with the newsletter, researching, cataloging, fundraising, planning events and helping with restoration projects. (760) 632-9711 or
Seacrest Village: Volunteer opportunities include assisting with activities, providing entertainment, visiting with residents, accompanying residents on outings, monitoring the fitness center for safety and calling bingo games at these two retirement communities. Volunteers must be 13 or older. (760) 632-0081.
NORTH COUNTY
Guardian Angels: The Guardian Angels program pairs volunteers with seniors who need help and companionship. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least three hours a month for a minimum of six months. Volunteers younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. (619) 543-4714.
Meals On Wheels: The North County division seeks volunteers to deliver meals to the elderly. Participants should be able to deliver at least twice a month between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Training provided. (760) 736-9900.
North County Food Bank: The organization collects and distributes food to nonprofit service agencies. Volunteers are needed to pick up and deliver donations and to work in the San Marcos warehouse. (760) 761-1140.
San Diego Police Department: Men and women age 50 and older are needed for the senior volunteer traffic program. The citywide patrol, which recruits from all areas of San Diego County, helps police with traffic control, safety checkpoints, radar speed surveys, abandoned vehicles and safety presentations. (619) 531-1507.
Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego County: The group seeks volunteers to provide emotional and practical support to victims and their families in the first few hours following a tragedy. No experience necessary. Training will be provided. (760) 931-2104 or www.tipsandiego.org.
Road to Recovery: The American Cancer Society program needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to and from treatments. Most drivers volunteer about four hours a week. Some mileage reimbursement is available. (619) 682-7440.
Wildlife Assist: The group is looking for volunteers throughout North County to help rescue sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Orientation sessions are monthly. www.wildlifeassist.org or (858) 278-2222.
OCEANSIDE
Brother Benno's: Volunteers are needed to help the poor and homeless in various ways, including feeding, clothing, counseling and educating at the center, 3260 Production Ave. (760) 439-1244, ext. 104.
Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center: Volunteers needed to lead tours for schoolchildren and Scout troops when they visit Buena Vista Lagoon and the nature center at 2202 S. Coast Highway. Training is free, and schedules are flexible. Volunteer receptionists are also needed. (760) 439-2473.
Canine Companions for Independence: Volunteers raise puppies, work as kennel assistants, do clerical work, assist with public relations and special events, help with grounds maintenance, etc. A minimum age of 18, or 14 with an adult present, is required to volunteer at the Southwest Training Center in Oceanside. (760) 901-4300.
Caring Neighbors and Senior Companion Services: Retirees are sought to volunteer with minor home repairs (such as installation of grab bars, repair of window screens, and minor electrical and plumbing repair) through Lutheran Social Services. Services are geared to low-and moderate-income seniors. Offices are in Oceanside and Escondido. (760) 967-8255.
Casa de Amparo: Mentors age 55 and older are needed to work with children up to age 5. Mentors work a minimum of 7.5 hours a week with the benefit of a stipend. Casa de Amparo helps at-risk and abused children and their families. Dorothy Mann at (760) 754-5500, ext. 27.
KOCT Oceanside community television: The nonprofit TV station seeks volunteers, age 18 and older, for a variety of tasks: research free programming; tape and photo librarian; public access outreach and education; “Inside Oceanside” segment producer; van and truck maintenance; promo script writer; Web page photographer; bulletin board art producer; handyman; receptionist; and clerical assistant. (760) 722-4433 or
MainStreet Oceanside: The group is looking for volunteers. (760) 754-4512 or e-mail at
Meals With Love: Volunteers are needed to deliver, prepare and pack nutritious meals for homebound individuals in the Vista and Oceanside areas. The nonprofit organization also needs volunteers to serve on board of directors and help with fundraising and marketing. www.vomow.org or (760) 726-1225.
North County Humane Society: Volunteers are needed to help care for animals at the shelter. (760) 757-4357, ext. 1244.
