* The North Shore Jewish Coalition for Literacy is looking for volunteers to help children with reading and language skills at local schools. Training will be provided. Call Joyce Morgan Kennard at (781) 631-4366.
* Children's Friend Mentoring program has a long waiting list of North Shore children ages 7 to 14 eager to be matched with a caring adult friend. Mentors and mentees get together for activities approximately six hours a month, at their convenience. Program offers free tickets to sporting and entertainment events when possible. Mentors must commit to the match for at least one year. Ongoing support for mentors is always available. Call (508) 527-4882 or (978) 744-7905 Ext. 210.
HAWC (Help for Abused Women and their Children) is seeking volunteers for a 24-hour hotline service to end family violence. Volunteers must complete 30 hours of training on evenings and Saturdays. Training will provide volunteers with the information they need to answer our 24-hour hotline. The hotline can be answered from home. Call Melissa Elmer at (978) 744-2299, Ext. 11 or e-mail melissae@helpabusedwomen.org.
: The Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center Inc. will hold crisis intervention training on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. Those interested in learning how to help victims of domestic abuse may attend and become crisis center volunteers. Call (978) 465-0999 Ext. 13 or volcorwcc@hotmail.com.
* Big Brothers-Big Sisters seeks those that can spend a few hours a month with a child, sharing activities such as movies, games, museum or park visits, etc. Call (888) 412-BIGS or visit www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.
* Due to a shortage of foster homes throughout the North Shore, children in need of help are sent to other communities, becoming separated from their schools, friends, family and other supports. To support a child in your community by becoming a foster parent, call (978) 825-3862 or (800) KIDS-508.
* Horizons for Homeless Children is seeking fun-loving, dependable people to play and develop relationships with children living in shelters for homeless families and domestic violence victims in northeastern Massachusetts. A commitment of one two-hour shift a week is required for at least six months. Training is held regularly. Visit www.horizonsforhomelesschildren.org or contact Kali Downer at (978) 557-2182.
The Transitions Program, 149 Washington St., Peabody, seeks donations of groceries, linens, small household goods, hygiene items, gift certificates and furniture to help homeless men and women ease into traditional residential lifestyles. The organization helps those in need gain skills to become self-sufficient. Call (978) 538-5392.
The Haven from Hunger, 71 Wallis St., Peabody, is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., for the distribution of groceries, and at 5 p.m. for dinner. All are welcome. Haven from Hunger is in need of the following food items: pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, and jelly. Call (978) 531-1530.
* Peabody Animal Shelter is looking for volunteers to spend two to four hours per week caring for homeless animals. No experience necessary; training will be provided. Morning and evening shifts are available Sunday through Saturday. Call (978) 531-7478.
* North Shore PetLink is looking for volunteers in the North Shore and Cape Ann area to provide foster care for the pets of people in need of temporary assistance. Call Rita at (978) 927-0217, Ext. 208 or e-mail rlevin@chaos-inc.org.
* Northeast Animal Shelter is seeking volunteers to foster pets, some of whom need temporary homes where they can recuperate from surgery. Others are newborns that need around-the-clock care and some need attention to become more loveable and well-mannered. Call (978) 745-9888 or visit www.northeastanimalshelter.org/help_foster.
* The American Red Cross, located at 85 Lowell St. in Peabody, seeks volunteers to transport clients to and from medical appointments during business hours. Vehicle is provided; a current driver's license and clean driving record are required. Call (978) 531-2280.
* Volunteer drivers are needed for the American Cancer Society's "Road to Recovery" program, a free service offered to cancer patients who need rides to their cancer treatments. Rides are provided Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patients are asked to call in advance to arrange for rides. Call (800) ACS-2345.
Drivers are needed to take elders to local medical appointments or to deliver meals to those who are homebound. Drivers who are willing to go to out of town medical facilities are also urgently needed. Beverly drivers are especially needed and Meals on Wheels needs help in Ipswich. The SeniorCare RSVP America Reads Program pairs older (age 55-plus) volunteers with children in Grades K-4 who need help with reading skills. Volunteers are needed for Hamilton, Wenham, Ipswich, Essex, Gloucester and other Greater Cape Ann communities. To become a friend to an elder who is lonely, ask for information about the Friendly Visitor Program. Volunteers are also needed for nursing home ombudsman programs and the Money Management Program. Call (978) 281-1750.
Anchor to Windward provides services to adults with learning disabilities in Marblehead and is looking for volunteers to share time and talents such as cooking, art, or crafts. The nonprofit organization offers programs to support independent living. Call Pam Foye at (781) 639-0063.
Several organizations accept tax-deductible car donations in an effort to fund their charities.
Cars Helping America collects donations of vehicles and boats and the donor may choose to support The Melanoma Education Foundation, a Peabody-based nonprofit that provides skin cancer education, or The American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts, based in Beverly. To donate a used vehicle or boat, call Cars Helping America at (866) 949-3668.
Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry, which offers many emergency services to local families in need, is looking for donations of vehicles. To donate a used car, call Cars Helping America at (866) 949-3668.
The American Lung Association of Massachusetts seeks donations of used cars, trucks, and RVs. Vehicles will be towed at no cost. Call (800) 577-LUNG.
North Shore Elder Services is seeking volunteers to serve three hours a month and provide service at a weekly supper club at the Fairweather Apartments, 11 Porter St., Danvers. Training and support will be provided. Experience in food service is helpful. Call Joanne Hogan at (978) 750-4540, Ext. 228.
North Shore Elder Services Inc., 152 Sylvan St., Danvers, seeks volunteers for various tasks, including helping seniors with bill-paying and finances, office help, library help and data entry. Volunters are also needed to serve as friendly visitors, food shoppers, money managers, and more. The agency offers services to make it easier for area seniors and their caregivers to live independently. Resources are for Danvers, Marblehead, Middleton, Peabody, and Salem residents and include home care service, Meals on Wheels, money management, personal care, and Lifeline. Volunteer food shoppers are especially needed in Salem, Marblehead, and Peabody. Call (978) 750-4540, Ext. 288 or e-mail jhogan@nselder.org.
SHINE program counselors are needed to help Medicare beneficiaries in various communities understand how Medicare works. Call Teri Allen McDonough at Beverly Council on Aging at (978) 921-6017.
CAB Health & Recovery Services, a drug and alcohol treatment agency, needs new, unopened toiletries for its women clients. Wish list includes sample-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, deodorants and others. Donations of new socks, underwear items, new or used bed linen (twin size), towels and comforter sets (adult and kids) are also needed. Call (800) 323-2224, Ext. 685, or e-mail info@cabhealth.org.
* Danversbank and VFW Post No. 2359 seek donations for "Operation Troop Support," a program started by Dick and Chris Moody of Danvers, who have three children serving overseas. Items needed include toiletries, snacks, and entertainment items such as books, magazines, and VHS and DVD movies for wounded soldiers. Bring donations to the bank's main office, located downtown at 1 Conant St. Call (978) 739-0265 or (978) 774-5983.
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