Volunteer Guide

Are you looking for the perfect volunteer opportunity to complete your community service hours? This guide will help you find a service project that’s just right for you.

Here is an example of questions you may want to ask when calling a service organization for more information:

“Hi, my name is (your name) and I am a student at Los Altos High School. I am interested in finding out about youth volunteer options. What does your organization do and what services do you provide? What type of work will I be doing as a volunteer? Is there a training session I need to attend before I volunteer? Are there any specific hours and days when volunteers are needed most? Do I need to commit to volunteering for a certain length of time?”

Don’t be afraid to ask any questions about the organization – you want to make sure it’s a good match for you and a project that interests you.

Get verification of your service hours by the organization and save the paperwork for a classroom requirement, scholarship requirement and/or college applications.

ANIMAL RELATED

Adobe Animal Hospital

396 First Street

Los Altos, CA 94022

(650) 948-9661

Website: www.adobe-animal.com

Minimum age: High School

Can job-shadow a vet for the day but no community service opportunities.

Audubon Society, Santa Clara Valley

22221 McClellan Road

Cupertino, CA 95014

(408) 252-3747

Email: programs@scvas.org Website: www.scvas.org

Minimum age: 15

Dedicated to preserving the native animal and plant habitats and fostering a greater public awareness of the environment. Volunteers are needed to maintain and monitor bluebird boxes, staff the office/nature shop, participate in bird counts/censuses, help with re- vegetation efforts, and help with animal adoption fairs and volunteer fairs.

Humane Society Silicon Valley

2530 Lafayette Street Santa Clara, CA 95050

(408) 727-3383 x872

Email vol@hssv.org Website: www.hssv.org

Minimum age: 18

Provides shelter services for domestic animals. Volunteers are needed for shelter and animal maintenance. An orientation and training are required for potential volunteers. Must volunteer minimum 8 hours/month for one year.

Palo Alto Humane Society

3281 East Bayshore Road Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 496-5989

Website: www.paloaltohumane.org

Minimum age: 16

A municipal animal shelter that provides low-cost animal services. Volunteers are needed to walk dogs, care for cats, and help with adoptions and special events. Volunteers must commit to serving 2 hours/week for a minimum of 6 months.

Pet Assisted Therapy Services

PO Box 5099

San Jose, CA 95150

(408) 629-3304

Website: www.furryfriends.org

Minimum age: Flexible

Coordinates volunteers to take their own animals to visit patients in handicapped children’s centers, hospitals, and other group-care facilities. Volunteers are needed to be friendly visitors with well trained pets.

WESTWIND 4-H Riding for the Handicapped

27210 Altamont Road Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

(650) 947-8680

Website: www.westwind4h.org

Minimum age: 14

Provides horseback riding lessons to children with physical disabilities. Volunteers are needed to help care for horses, lead horses and serve as companions to the young riders. Training session is required.

Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley

3027 Penitencia Creek Road San Jose, CA 95132

(408) 929-9453

Email: info@wcsv.org Website: www.wcsv.org

Minimum age: 16

Provides care for local wildlife. Volunteers are needed to help with various positions in the shelter.

Wildlife Rescue, Inc.

4000 Middlefield Road, Bldg. V Pal Alto, CA 94303

(650) 494-7926

Email: wildlife@batnet.com Website: www.wildliferescue.ws

Minimum age: 15

Takes care of sick or injured animals with the goal of releasing the animals back into their natural habitat. Volunteers are needed to care for orphaned and injured wild animals, help teach school children about the local wildlife, or help staff front office reception and hotline.

ART, MUSEUMS & MEDIA

Art Docents of Los Altos School District

201 Covington Road Los Altos, CA 94024

(650) 947-1194

Minimum age: High School

Have opportunities for one-time only at the annual Student Art Show and on-going help filing, organizing supplies, and with training to help art docents in elementary school classes.

Cantor Arts Center

328 Lomita Drive (at Museum Way) Stanford, CA 94305

(650) 721-6585

Email: museumvolunteers@lists.stanford.edu Website: museum.stanford.edu

Minimum age: 15

Volunteers needed in bookshop, lobby desk, art classes for kids, special events and fundraisers.

Children’s Discovery Museum

180 Woz Way San Jose, CA 95110

(408) 298-5437 x247

Email: DMckenzie@cdm.org Website: www.cdm.org

Minimum age: 16

Provides educational programs for children. Volunteers are needed to be floor guides during hands-on activities within the museum, including “messy play”. A 3-hour orientation and a minimum 50-hour per year minimum commitment for all volunteers.

Community Media Center

900 San Antonio Road Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 494-8686 x10

Email: dave @communitymediacenter.net Website: www.communitymediacenter.net

Minimum age: 16

Public Access Cable TV. Need volunteers who will work together on a studio production crew that will enable many different organizations, ethnic and cultural groups to get their messages out to the local community.

Community School of Music & Art

Finn Center

230 San Antonio Circle Mt. View, CA 94040

(650) 917-6800 x306

Email: info@arts4all.org Website: www.arts4all.org

Minimum age: 15

Opportunities to help at special events, concerts, office support, art classes and camps.

Computer History Museum

1401 N. Shoreline Blvd. Mt. View, CA 94043

(650) 810-1027

Website: www.computerhistory.org

Minimum age: 14

Volunteer work days on the 2^nd Saturday of each month from 9 am – 3 pm. Help is also needed at special events.

Los Altos History Museum

51 S. San Antonio Road Los Altos, CA 94022

(650) 948-9427 x91

Email: volunteer@losaltoshistory.org Website: www.losaltoshistory.org

Minimum age: High School

Work in the museum store 2 -4 hours per week or become a museum docent 4 hours/month Thursday – Sunday. Volunteers are also need to write historical articles for the museum newsletter of help maintain exhibits, recycling and special projects.

Museum of American Heritage

357 Homer Palo Alto, CA 94302

(650) 321-1004

Website: www.moah.org

Minimum age: 15

Museum of American Heritage displays mechanic and electronic collections from the past 100 years. Volunteers are needed to be exhibition assistants, office assistants and museum hosts.

Palo Alto Art Center

1313 Newell Road Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 329-2366

Website: www.paacf.org

Minimum age: High School

No art background is required to volunteer. There are many short term, long term and on- time volunteer opportunities available.

Palo Alto Jr. Museum and Zoo

1451 Middlefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94301

(650) 329-2111

Minimum age: 14

Provides ongoing educational exhibits for children. Teen volunteers are needed to help with the animals and help as exhibit hall docents.

Peninsula Symphony

146 Main Street Los Altos, CA 94022

(650) 941-5291

Email: info@peninsulasymph.org Website: peninsulasymphony.org

Minimum age: 16

Periodic volunteer opportunities in the office.

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

1342 Naglee Avenue San Jose, CA 95191

(408) 947-3670

Email: volunteer@egyptianmuseum.org Website: www.egyptianmuseum.org

Minimum age: 16

Exhibits one of the largest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts on the West Coast. Volunteers are needed to help conduct museum tours and workshops.

Tech Museum of Innovation

201 South Market Street San Jose, CA 95113

(408) 795-6287

Website: www.thetech.org

Minimum age: 15

Is an educational resource established to engage people of all ages and backgrounds in exploring and experiencing technologies affecting their lives, and to inspire the young to become innovators in the technologies of the future. Volunteers are needed to be Exhibit Explainers and are required to commit to 8 hours/month.

West Bay Opera

221 Lambert Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94306

(650) 843-3900 x222

Email: volunteers@wboperaguild.org Website: www.wbopera.org

Minimum age: High School

Volunteers are needed as ushers, ticket takers, concessions, stage construction, painting, crew and food prep.

YOUTH RELATED

American Red Cross

400 Mitchell Lane Palo Alto, CA 94301

(650) 688-0433

Email: gpierre@paarc.org Website: www.paarc.org

Minimum age: High School

Many different on-going and one-time only opportunities. Volunteer with PAARC Youth Preparedness/PAARC Youth in Disaster, SAFE Rides program or office volunteers. Long- term volunteer opportunities require a minimum of a 6 month commitment.

Assistance League of Los Altos

169 State Street

Los Altos, CA 94022 (650) 941-4625

Website: www.assistanceleague.org/los-altos

Minimum age: Grades 7-12

Special projects include assembling holiday stockings, “We Care” bags and coordinates Bingo at senior facilities.

Bill Wilson Center

3490 The Alameda Santa Clara, CA 95050

(408) 850-6138

Website: www.billwilsoncenter.org

Minimum age: 12

Volunteers in the Youth Outreach Program and other programs to promote the 24/7 teen line. There are opportunities to volunteer in the Safe Place Community Outreach and Peer Leadership training.

Camp Galileo

1-800-854-3684

Website: www.galileo-learning.com

Minimum age: 16

Their mission is to provide opportunities for young people to discover and pursue their passions. Volunteers needed during the summer camps as assistants at various locations in Los Altos, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale and Menlo Park. Need to apply in January.

CONTACT

PO Box 8021

San Jose, CA 95155

(408) 275-6176

Website: www.contactcares.org

Minimum age: Flexible

Maintains a 24-hour crisis hotline offering several programs including Teen Line. Volunteers are needed to help answer crisis phone lines, provide crisis intervention and information referrals. Volunteers must participate in a 50-hour, 13-week training course and commit to 8 hours/month for a year.

Inn Vision (Part of Urban Ministry of Palo Alto)

795 Willow Road Menlo Park, CA 94025

(650) 853-7076 x205

PALO ALTO INN – (650) 853-8697

Email: volunteers@innvision.org Website: www.innvision.org

Minimum age: 16

Provide shelter and support services in the community. Volunteers provide support for youth activities such as computer lab monitor, workshop host, homework tutor, front desk help or help with special events.

Literacy Alliance for the South Bay

1290 Ridder Park Drive, MC#206 San Jose, CA 95131

(408) 453-6711

Minimum age: 16

Refers learners and volunteers to literacy programs and maintains a literacy hotline. Volunteers are needed to be tutors and sorters.

Palo Alto Community Child Care

3990 Ventura Court Palo Alto, CA 94306

(650) 493-2361

Website: www.paccc.org

Minimum age: 14

Is an agency that cares for children between the ages of 2 months and 11 years while their parents are at work. Volunteers are needed to help supervise the kids while they cook, garden, put on plays, play games, go to the petting zoo, or swim.

Plugged In

2111 B University Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 322-1134 x22

Email: info@pluggedin.org Website: www.pluggedin.org

Minimum age: High School

Help low income communities have the opportunity to benefit from telecommunications and computer technology. There is a Young Producers Program.

Project Linus

(408) 773-8097

Website: www.sjlinus.org

Minimum age: High School

Sew or knit blankets for children who are severely ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.

Rosalie Rendu Center - Homework Club

1760 Bay Road #24 East Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 473-9522

Email: rosalierendu@att.net Contact: Sister Trinitas Hernandez

Website: www.rosalie-rendu-center.org

Minimum age: Junior in High School

Assist in the after school study program, Homework Club, at the center. Tuesdays or Thursdays 3:30 to 5:30. Sister T would like to put a schedule together of 6 high school student volunteers. Please contact her and let her know your availability.

Sunday Friends Foundation

PO Box 24887 San Jose, CA 95154

(408) 793-0441

Website: www.sundayfriends.org

Minimum age: 14

Volunteers needed to assist children from homeless and very-low-income families with cooking, juicing, crafts, gardening, writing, math & more. Sundays 2:00 – 6:00 pm.

YMCA of the Mid-Peninsula – El Camino YMCA

2400 Grant Road Mt. View, CA 94040

(650) 969-9622

Website: www.ymcasv.org/elcamino

Minimum age: 15

Provides classes, education and recreational activities to individuals and families living in the area. Volunteers are needed to lead programs, coach & referee, special events, office & clerical assistance and mentoring and tutoring.

Youth for Understanding

885 North San Antonio Los Altos, CA 94022

(650) 948-3300

Minimum age: 13

Is an international student exchange program which matches youth with host families. Volunteers are needed to help with bulk mailings and other areas.

CITY SERVICES & LIBRARIES

City of Mountain View Volunteer Services

PO Box 7540 Mtn. View, CA 94039

(650) 903-6607

Minimum age: 14

Helps connect volunteers with city programs and services. Volunteers are needed to assist with special events throughout the year. Events include Halloween Family Festival, Tree Lighting, Breakfast with Santa, Spring Downtown and more. Can also volunteer at Shoreline Park, and Rengstorff House.

Los Altos Library

13 S. San Antonio Road Los Altos, CA 94022

(650) 948-7683

Website: www.santaclaracountylib.org/losaltos/

Minimum age: 16

Volunteers needed to help with book shelving and organization. There is no minimum time commitment but prefer ongoing assistance.

Los Altos Police Department

1 N. San Antonio Road Los Altos, CA 94022

(650) 947-2770

Website: www.ci.los-altos.ca.us

Minimum age: 14.5

Police Explorers receive training in various aspects of law enforcement and work with officers at special community events.

Los Altos School District – Youth Volunteers

Minimum age: High School

The school district is always looking for volunteers but must contact the school principal or PTA President to find out volunteer needs. Always need help with fundraising events such as walkathons, silent auctions, etc. Can also help with after school tutoring.

Mountain View Library

585 Franklin Street Mt. View, CA 94041

(650) 903-6337

Website: www.mountainview.gov/depts/library/default.asp

Minimum age: 15

Volunteers are needed with media and book filing. A commitment of 3 – 5 hours/week for a total of 10 hours needed.

DISABILITY/HEALTH/HOSPITALS

ACHIEVE

3860 Middlefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 494-1200

Website: www.achievekids.org

Minimum age: 14

Is a private special education school serving students with sever emotional disabilities and challenges. Volunteers are needed to help special education teachers with organizing the day’s teaching materials.

Alzheimer’s Association

2065 W. El Camino Real, Suite C Mt. View, CA 94040

(650) 962-8111

Website: www.alz.org

Minimum age: 13

Offers services and programs to families of people with Alzheimer’s. Volunteers are needed to help with general office duties and special events.

American Cancer Society – Relay for Life

747 Camden Ave., Suite B Campbell, CA 95008

(408) 871-1062

Minimum age: High School

One time only projects – set up, clean up, help sell, make and place luminaries, sell food/beverages.

Books Aloud

Martin Luther King Library

150 E. San Fernando Street, L11 San Jose, CA 95112

(408) 808-2613

Email: jmeurer@acninc.net Website: www.booksaloud.org

Minimum age: 16

Is a revolving library of recorded books for blind and physically handicapped children and adults. Volunteers are needed to help listeners choose selections, sort and checkout tapes, refurbish tapes and maintain listener records.

Children’s Health Council

650 Clark Way Palo Alto, CA 94304

(650) 617-3814

Email: lplount@chconline.org Website: www.chconline.org

Minimum age: 16

A nonprofit agency that provides diagnostic testing, treatment and educational services to children with emotional/behavioral problems and learning disabilities. Volunteers are needed to help with special events in May and July.

El Camino Hospital Junior Program

2500 Grant Road Mt. View, CA 94039

(650) 988-8289

Website: www.elcaminohospital.org

Minimum age: 14

A community hospital serving the medical needs of people in the Bay Area. Volunteers are needed to help with patient-related needs and services. Volunteers must commit 6 hours/month. Must attend an application seminar which is held twice a year.

Kaiser Permanente Hospital (Santa Clara)

710 Lawrence Expressway Santa Clara, CA 95051

(408) 851-1717

Website: www.kpschvolunteers.org

Minimum age: 16

Youth volunteers can work in the hospital, medical offices or the gift shop. There is a 4 hour/week, one year commitment. The volunteer program is very competitive.

Learning Ally

488 West Charleston Road Palo Alto, CA 94306

(650) 493-3717

Website: learningally.org

Minimum age: 12

Provides educational materials on audio tapes and computer disks for blind, sight-impaired, and learning disables students. Volunteers are needed to help read and record books and to help with studio maintenance. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 2 hours/week.

Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital

725 Welch Road Palo Alto, CA 94304

(650) 497-8696

Website: www.stanfordchildrens.org

Minimum age: 14

Youth volunteers can assist in a variety of areas in the hospital. Must attend orientation and be interviewed. Required to volunteers 3 hours/week for 6 months.

Pacific Autism Center for Education

572 Dunholme Way Sunnyvale, CA 94087

(408) 245-3400

Website: www.pacificautism.org

Minimum age: 15

Provides education and residential homes for children and adults with autism. Volunteers are needed to help with clerical work, outdoor gardening and repair projects around the center and group homes.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation

795 El Camino Real Palo Alto, CA 94301

(650) 853-4703

Website: www.sutterhealth.org/pamf/volunteering/pamf

Minimum age: 15

Provides health care, research and health education to the local community. Volunteers are needed to greet and guide patients, provide wheelchair assistance and various tasks throughout the clinic.

The Parkinsons Institute

1170 Morse Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94089

(408) 734-2800

Website: www.parkinsonsinstitute.org

Minimum age: 16

Researches Parkinsons disease and educates patients about the disease. Volunteers are needed to be administrative assistants or to help with data entry and typing.

Peninsula Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired

2470 El Camino Real, Suite 107 Palo Alto, CA 94306

(650) 858-0202 x27

Website: www.pcbvi.org

Minimum age: 14

Offers a personalized in-home rehabilitation program for clients with severe sight loss. Volunteers are needed to read mail, newspapers and magazines, help with letter writing.

Ronald McDonald House

520 Sand Hill Road Palo Alto, CA 94304

(650) 470-6011

Website: www.ronaldhouse-stanford.org

Minimum age: 17

A “home-away-from-home” for the families of children receiving treatment at Stanford hospital. Volunteers are needed to play with children, help with operations of the house, check families in or answer phones. Shifts are 2-3 hours/week and must commit to four months.

Silicon Valley Council of the Blind

PO Box 493 Mtn. View, CA 94042

(650) 969-3155

Website: www.svcb.cc

Minimum age: 15

Goal is to improve the quality of life for those with vision impairment. Volunteers are needed to help visually impaired community members do their shopping, reading and be sports partners.

Special Olympics – Santa Clara

1445 Koll Circle #104 San Jose, CA 95112

(408) 392-0170

Website: www.sonc.org/sccso

Minimum age: 16

Is a sports training and competition program for developmentally disabled children and adults. Volunteers are needed to help train and coach athletes, assist with registration at events, help with publicity and office work. Orientations are offered in the evening throughout the year.

Stanford Hospital

300 Pasteur Drive, H-1136 Stanford, CA 94305

(650) 723-6636

Email: volunteerresources@stanfordmed.org Website: stanfordhealthcare.org/for-patients-visitors/volunteering.html

Minimum age: 14

Junior volunteers assist patients and staff. Areas of service include gift shop, patient escort, book cart, flower delivery, maternity and patient services. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 3 hours/week.

Stanford Blood Center

3373 Hillview Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94304 (650) 723-6795

Website: www.bloodcenter.stanford.edu

Minimum age: 14

A nonprofit community blood bank providing blood and blood products to children and adults undergoing transplants and surgery. Volunteers are needed to monitor donors, serve refreshments, label blood bags and tubes, shuttle blood, help in the labs and clerical tasks.

United Cerebral Palsy Association

480 San Antonio Rd., Suite 215 Mt. View, CA 94040

Website: www.ucp.org

Minimum age: Flexible

Provides educational services and raises funds to support research on cerebral palsy. Volunteers are needed to help with child care, special events and administrative duties.

Veterans Administration – Palo Alto

3801 Miranda Ave. Palo Alto, CA 94304

(650) 858-3903

Website: www.va.gov/palo-alto-health-care

Minimum age: 14

Provides health care and rehabilitation for veterans of the US military. Volunteers are needed to visit patients, read to the blind, man the information desk, and clerical duties. Must be health screened and commit to at least 1 hour/week.

ENVIRONMENT/OUTDOOR

ACTERRA: Action for a Sustainable Earth

3921 E. Bayshore Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 962-9876

Website: www.acterra.org

Minimum age: Varies

Works to restore our local environment through hands-on stewardship, education and leadership development. The programs for youth include: High Schools Group, San Francisquito Creek Project and Arastradero Preserve Project.

Canopy

3921 East Bayshore Road Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 964-6110

Website: www.canopy.org

Minimum age: High School

A group that helps to plant and care for trees in Palo Alto. No experience is required for volunteers but must be able to do physical work and follow directions. Can volunteers to be a newsletter author, survey volunteer, or tree planter. Plantings usually held on Saturdays and lasts 2 – 4 hours.

C.C.C.R. (Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge)

453 Tennessee Lane Palo Alto, CA 94306

(650) 493-5540

Website: www.cccrrefuge.org

Minimum age: 16

An environmental action committee concerned with the preservation of all remaining SF Bay wetlands and their acquisition by the public. Volunteers are needed to help write newsletters, assist with community surveys or plant trees.

Environmental Volunteers, Inc.

3921 E. Bayshore Road Palo Alto, CA 94303

(650) 961-0545

Website: www.evols.org

Minimum age: 16

Produces high-quality, hands-on natural science and environmental programs for grade school children. Volunteers are needed to help with classroom presentations and field trips. Must provide own transportation and attend training sessions. There is a minimum commitment of 3 hours/week for one year.

Friends of Stevens Creek Trail

22221 McClellan Road Cupertino, CA 95014

(408) 255-5780

Website: www.stevenscreektrail.org

Minimum age: 14

Coordinates trail work days, raises funds, environmental education and newsletter. Volunteers are needed to help with the trail and creek events, special events, and special projects.

Gamble Gardens

1431 Waverly Street Palo Alto, CA 94301

(650) 329-1356

Email: admin@gamblegarden.org Website: www.gamblegarden.org

Minimum age: High School

Is a non-profit community horticulture foundation. Volunteers assist with clerical work, garden work, flower arranging, spot jobs or special events.

Green Town Los Altos

Website: www.greentownlosaltos.org

Minimum age: High School

A grass-roots organization of Los Altos and Los Altos Hills residents and businesses trying to reduce waste, energy and water consumption. Focuses on creating awareness and solutions to climate change locally.

Hidden Villa Farm & Preserve

26870 Moody Road Los Altos Hills, CA 94022

(650) 949-8655

Email: volunteers@hiddenvilla.org Website: www.hiddenvilla.org

Minimum age: 16

Engages children and adults in hands-on programs promoting environmental awareness and multicultural understanding. Volunteers are needed to help with trail maintenance, organic gardening, clerical duties, and special events. There is a summer internship program for 16 and older which requires a minimum of 16-20 hours/week for one month.

Magic

PO Box 15894 Stanford, CA 94309

(650) 323-7333

Website: www.ecomagic.org

Minimum age: 14

Promotes ecological values and conservation within the community. Volunteers are needed to help plant native oaks on Stanford lands every Saturday or help maintain Magic’s permaculture landscape.

Marine Science Institute

500 Discovery Parkway Redwood City, CA 94063

(650) 364-2760

Email: infor@sfbaymsi.org Website: www.sfbaymsi.org

Minimum age: 16

Volunteers are needed to teach environmental science to children of all ages and go out on boats to help collect fish data or help teach.

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space

330 Distel Circle Los Altos, CA 94022

(650) 691-1200

Email: volunteer@openspace.org Website: www.openspace.org

Minimum age: 14

A public agency which acquires and manages open-space lands and provides public access for recreational uses. Volunteers are needed to perform a variety of trail construction and maintenance projects, as well as be Trail Census Volunteers.

PA Open Space & Sciences Section

1451 Middlefield Road Palo Alto, CA 94301

(650) 329-2112

Website: www.openspace.org

Minimum age: 14

Operates the Junior Museum and Zoo, two nature centers, Baylands Park, Foothills Park and the Arastradero Preserve. Volunteers are needed to help with exhibitions, science and nature classes, trail maintenance, and marsh clean-up.

Santa Clara County Parks Volunteer Program

298 Garden Hill Drive Los Gatos, CA 95032

(408) 355-2254

Email: volunteer@prk.sccgov.org Website: www.parkhere.org

Minimum age: Varies

Since 1924, people have given their time and talents to help make Santa Clara County Parks a special place to visit. Volunteers work to provide visitor services and to protect and enhance parklands, while at the same time sharing, learning and making new friends.

Some of the regular ongoing opportunities are: Adopt-a-Trail, Docent, Fishing in the City, Park Friends Groups, Trail Crew and Trail Watch. Check the website for special events: California Trial Day, Coastal Cleanup Day, Monthly Trail Day and National River Cleanup Day.

Trail Center

3921 East Bayshore Road Palo Alto, CA 94043

(650) 934-9091

Email: info@trailcenter.org Website: www.trailcenter.org

Minimum age: 17

Helps preserve the land and open space in the Bay Area through trail information, trial building and restoration and trail mapping. Volunteers are needed to help build trails one Saturday per month.

Tropical Rainforest Coalition

21730 Stevens Creek Blvd., #102 Cupertino, CA 95014

(408) 749-8740

Minimum age: 13

Provides education and advocacy about tropical rainforest conservation. Volunteers are needed to be tropical animal assistants and adopt-an-acre project coordinators and help with special events.

Wildlands Restoration Team

315 Keystone Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062

(831) 460-4690

Email: volunteer@wildwork.org Website: www.wildwork.org

Minimum age: 16

Protect and restore the biological diversity of the Santa Cruz mountains. Stop the spread of invasive non-native plants. Volunteers will work outside and get dirty.

MEAL PROGRAMS & SHELTERS

Community Services Agency

204 Stierlin Road Mt. View, CA 94043

(650) 964-4630

Email: pmorehead@cascares.org Website: www.csacares.org

Minimum age: 12

Helps the hungry, elderly, homeless and need in the local communities. Volunteers are needed to help provide food through the Food and Nutrition Center, help with special events and office work. Groups can also help with making cards for the elderly, knit blankets, arrange ice cream socials and lunches for elderly.

Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen

398 E. Santa Clara St. San Jose, CA 95113

(408) 283-4974

Website: www.loavesfishes.org

Minimum age: 14

Provides no-cost hot meals five days a week at two locations to those in need. Volunteers are needed to help with meal preparation, serve food and drinks, and clean up or distribute grocery bags to families.

Salvation Army – Sunnyvale/Mountain View

1161 South Bernardo Sunnyvale, CA 94087

(408) 720-0420

Minimum age: 16

Provides food and clothing to families. Volunteers are needed to be food bag assemblers and help with general office work.

Second Harvest Food Bank

750 Curtner Avenue San Jose, CA 95125

(408) 694-0021

Website: www.shfb.org

Minimum age: 14

Provides donated food to low-income families, adults and seniors. Volunteers are needed to help with food sorting and distribution of food in a warehouse environment.

South Palo Alto Food Closet

670 E. Meadow Drive Palo Alto, CA 94306

(650) 494-9310

Minimum age: 14

Located in the Covenant Presbyterian Church, room 9. Gives groceries to needy people in the Mid-peninsula. Volunteers are needed to help pick up donations, sort and distribute food, or sign-in clients. Volunteers usually commit to a two-hour shift each week.

Sunnyvale Community Services

810 West McKinley Ave. Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Email: scsayende@aol.com Website: www.svcommunityservices.org

Minimum age: 16

Provides information and referrals about community resources to individuals and families in need. Volunteers are needed to help pack food bags and help with office work.

Urban Ministry of Palo Alto

PO Box 702 Palo Alto, CA 94302

(650) 324-5361

Email: umpavolunteers@yahoo.com

Minimum age: 12

Provides services to the homeless and very low-income individuals through a variety of programs and outreach activities. Volunteers are needed to help pick up, prepare and serve food, to work in our community garden and at our food and clothing closets.

West Valley Community Services

10104 Vista Drive Cupertino, CA 95014

(408) 255-8033

Website: www.wvcommunityservices.org/

Minimum age: 16

A nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting low-income individuals, families and homeless living on the Peninsula. Volunteers are needed to help with the food closet, the front desk and to sponsor food drives.

SENIOR SERVICES

Avenidas

450 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA 94301

(650) 289-5412

Website: www.avenidas.org

Minimum age: 15

Volunteers can help with one-time only projects or events or on-going projects. There is no minimum time commitment.

Channing House

850 Webster Palo Alto, CA 94301

(650) 324-7572

Website: www.channinghouse.org

Minimum age: 12

A nursing facility and retirement home. Volunteers are needed to visit patients, help with bingo and word games, arts and crafts or parties.

City of Mountain View Senior Center

266 Escuela Ave. Mountain View, CA 94040

(650) 903-6330

Email: diane.atienza@mountainview.gov

Minimum Age: High School

Teen volunteers help assist seniors in a variety of ways during the school year or year round. They especially need volunteers to help seniors get started with the Wii video games, such as bowling, cheer them on, and encourage them to have a good time!

La Comida

450 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA 94301

(650) 322-3742

Minimum age: 16

A program that serves lunches to seniors every Monday through Friday. Volunteers are needed to help set tables, pour milk and coffee, and serve plates of food.