VOLUNTEERS : Casting a Line to Help the Disabled : The Easter Seal Society of Orange County is seeking assistance for its “Learn to Fish” program for children.

Ahhh. . . . There’s nothing like the great outdoors and especially the sport of fishing. Rising early on a brisk morning, trotting down to the lake with fishing pole in hand, casting out a line and waiting for a fish to jump on the hook while enjoying a fresh cup of hot coffee.

But wait. Can this outdoor bliss be found in Orange County? But of course. It means experiencing not only the great joy of fishing, but also the fulfilling act of volunteerism.

The Easter Seal Society of Orange County and Outdoor Safaris International are inviting eager volunteers to help disabled children fish during their “Learn to Fish” program Jan. 25, Feb. 22 and March 22.

“We’ve been doing this program ever since Easter Seals has been in Orange County, which is over five years,” said Dee Prescott, program manager. “We work with Safaris International that owns Irvine, Anaheim and Santa Ana River lakes. They donate the use of the lake and also help stock the lake so we have a good chance of catching a lot of fish.”

The events are open to people from preschoolers to those 24 years of age with disabilities who attend all Orange and some Los Angeles County schools.

“We are looking for as many volunteers as possible,” Prescott said. “There’s a lot to be done. We have to prepare all the equipment in the morning and help cook lunch for the kids. We need volunteers to help with every aspect of this program. We couldn’t do it without them.

“We usually try to get down to a 1-to-1 ratio so that each child has a fisherman volunteer to work with,” she said. “We have enough poles for 220 kids so we’d like to see as many, if not more, volunteers to help.”

Bennett Davison, an avid sportsman and the manager of Irvine Lake for the past two years, has been an active “Learn to Fish” volunteer. “The kids usually always end up catching fish,” he said with a smile.

Steve Miller, vice president and general manager of the lakes, said: “The important emphasis of this program is to give the parents and the community an opportunity to see that these kids can get out and do a lot of things.”

The International Education Program is seeking volunteer families in the Costa Mesa area to host European students this summer. The students will be working in internships as part of an international work-exchange project that assists foreign students in learning about American culture.

Families receive $240 a month toward room and board. For more information, contact Kerry Haire or Simone Vick at (714) 856-1005.

The Women’s Transitional Living Center, a shelter for victims of domestic violence in Orange, is conducting a volunteer training course Feb. 2, 6, 9 and 11. Each session will deal with a different aspect of domestic violence.

Trained volunteers will take hot-line calls, participate in fund-raising and children’s programs and help fill administrative needs.

For more information, call Jeanine Adams at (714) 992-1939.

Volunteers with bilingual skills are needed to help patients fill out necessary medical forms at the Orange County Center for Health in Anaheim.

Volunteers with a medical or science background are also needed to help with exams, lab work and taking case histories.

For more information, call the Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County at (714) 953-5757.

The West Newport Community Center, a senior assistance and recreation program in Newport Beach, is currently seeking volunteer instructors for its numerous recreational classes.

Interested volunteers are asked to call between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, at (714) 644-3240.