What You Can Do to ...

Volunteers, the backbone of most social-service organizations, are needed now more than ever to help mend the damages from heavy rains and the a.dthridge earthquake.

People can help by donating money, building materials and household items and, most valuable of all, by giving their time and labor.

Help Rebuild

* Los Angeles Free Clinic needs volunteer architects, contractors, painters and others to help replace quake-damaged floors, walls and ceilings. The clinic also must replace office equipment. And there is an ongoing need for volunteers in the health professions and for clerical staff. Information: Craig Fleishman, (213) 653-8622.

* San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council Inc., in cooperation with Church World Service, provides social services to communities and individuals in need. It is seeking skilled volunteer workers and building materials for repairs. It needs additional supplies of clothing, food and other staples to help disaster survivors. Volunteers also provide counseling services and medical and dental care. Information: (818) 718-6460.

* Turning Point Shelter, a project of the Ocean Park Community Center, helps homeless people get back on their feet. Formerly located in the basement of a Santa Monica church destroyed in the earthquake, Turning Point will relocate in portable buildings until a permanent facility is ready. An SOS is out for electricians, carpenters and plumbers. Other needs are 12 adult-size bunk beds, 24 single mattresses, a large TV, Macintosh computer and printer, 35 sets of institutional sheets (singles), 35 gym lockers, VCR, towels and washcloths. Information: (310) 394-3947.

* Rancho San Antonio, a residential center in Chatsworth, provides care and treatment for up to 100 adolescent boys. The center needs major structural repair and seeks donations of building materials and volunteer contractors and builders. The center also must replace microwave and toaster ovens, TVs, VCRs, computers and games. Boys’ clothing is always welcome. Information: Sharon Covington, (818) 882-6400.

* Women’s Care Cottage Shelter, a drop-in center and child-care center under the auspices of San Fernando Valley Friends of Homeless Women and Children, needs skilled masonry workers to repair chimneys and other damage. Information: Cynthia Caughey, executive director, (818) 753-1127.

* Volunteers of America has shelters and housing throughout Los Angeles for individuals, families and seniors. A number of damaged shelters need extensive plastering and painting; some require the work of plumbers and electricians. Among locations: Maud Booth Family Center, 11243 Kittridge Ave., North Hollywood; North Hollywood Apartments, 6724 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood; Jan Clayton Center, 4969 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; Hollywood Shelter, 1057 N. Vine St., Hollywood, and Work Furlough-Los Angeles, 1765 S. La Cienega Blvd. Information: Darryl Dunn, (213) 389-1500.

* Crittenton Center in Highland Park, a children’s shelter, is structurally safe but needs the services of plasterers and painters. Donations of computers and other office equipment, TVs, VCRs, microwaves and other appliances are sought. Information: Lynda Griffith, (213) 225-4211.

New Site Needed

Wellness Community’s Ben and Joyce Eisenberg National Training Center had to relocate after its Santa Monica building was declared uninhabitable. The center has relocated to temporary quarters, available only for a year, causing the charity to incur an $80,000 moving cost. The support group for cancer patients is seeking funds to purchase permanent quarters in Santa Monica or elsewhere on the Westside. Information: Jan Young or Diane Thomas, (310) 314-2555.

Provide Skilled Help

* Habitat for Humanity-Los Angeles rehabilitates housing in Los Angeles, San Fernando/Santa Clarita and Ventura throughout the year. Now with quake damage, it has a special need for more hands to answer phones, solicit donations of building materials, estimate damage to structures and repair and rebuild homes for low-income families. Information: (800) 266-7047.

* Tierra del Sol Foundation, 9919 Sunland Blvd., Sunland, provides training and employment programs for adults with developmental and multiple disabilities. Skilled help is needed for vehicle maintenance, general repairs, light carpentry, electrical and plumbing work and heating repairs. Assistance with clerical work, computer data entry and fund raising is also needed. Also welcome are Spanish, Armenian and Vietnamese translators. Information: Vicki Nadsady, (818) 352-1419.

* Florence Crittenton Center in Lincoln Heights needs help with weed removal, plastering and painting inside and out, resurfacing of a play area, repair of bikes and other equipment, installation of a sandbox and more. The center houses an average of 50 to 60 teen-age girls and their infants. Information: Lynda W. Griffith, Development, (213) 225-4211.

* HEAR Center in Pasadena serves infants, children and adults with hearing and speech disorders. Spring sprucing up is needed--cleaning and painting interior walls, carpentry, window cleaning. Clerical help is welcome, too. Information: (213) 681-4641 or (818) 796-2016.

Help Shelters Help

* Haven House Inc., a shelter for battered women and their children, is serving an influx of clients from other shelters damaged by the quake. Additional supplies of diapers (all sizes), underwear for women and children, sweaters, jackets, linens and blankets for single beds, microwave ovens and other household appliances are needed. Information: (818) 564-8880.

* Hospice Program of Hospital Home Health Care Agency of California needs volunteers with a few hours a week to devote to people with terminal illnesses and their families. Volunteers help with shopping and errands and provide companionship and emotional support. Training is provided. Information: Lisa Nagy, (818) 785-1800.

* Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic’s Homeless Care Project mobile medical van daily providesfood, clothing and medical care to people displaced from quake-damaged shelters and homes in the Hollywood area. The clinic needs donations of food, disposable diapers, can openers and hygienekits (soap, deodorant, shampoo, disposable razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste). Information: Bob Suazo, homeless care director, (213) 661-1463.

* Restore, a residence for women recovering from alcohol and drug addiction, needs to replace its fax machine, VCR, large screen TV and dishwasher. Clothing for women is also needed. Restore is seeking an additional house to rent so it can expand to serving families in need. Information: Toleda Frazier, (213) 937-7672.

* Homestead Hospice and Shelter needs donations of socks, T-shirts, clothing, white towels, twin bed sheets, blankets, laundry and hand soap, paper towels, personal hygiene items and food. Needed too are dressers, coffee tables and end tables and refrigerators and freezers for the charity’s four shelters. Information: (213) 466-5411.

Environmental Cleanup

* TreePeople needs planting supervisors, office help and volunteers to work with students on planting projects. Information: Jennifer Baron, (818) 753-4629.

* Heal the Bay seeks helping hands from 9 a.m. to noon the second Saturday of every month to work on its Rescue the Dune Project in Playa del Rey. Families welcome. Information: Peter Tatikian, (310) 394-4552, Ext. 110.

* U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service needs people to participate in biological and environmental projects throughout Southern California. Volunteers help with wildlife surveys, habitat restoration, data entry and analysis, library organization, research studies and biological examinations. Information: Shawn Grandberry, (619) 431-9440.

* Rhapsody in Green needs more hands for restoration work at Point Dume and the Sepulveda Basin and mountain tree-planting projects. Information: (213) 654-5821.

* Placerita Canyon Nature Center Assn. in Newhall needs help with special nature programs, nature hikes, phones, newsletters, fund-raising and more. Volunteers may work on weekends in the gift shop and information desk. Information: Dianne Cox, (805) 259-7721.

Befriend the Elderly

* Santa Monica/Malibu Meals on Wheels seeks drivers and helpers to deliver meals to shut-ins between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on weekdays. Training is provided. Volunteers may sign up to help weekly, monthly or as substitutes. Information: Joanna Vasquez, (310) 394-7558.

* Freda Mohr Multiservice Center for Seniors, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, a non-sectarian senior center, provides social services. Volunteer case aides visit the homebound one day a week. Training is provided. Entertainers are also needed at the center and neighborhood board and care homes. Information: (213) 937-5900.

* Sunset Hall, a retirement home for “free-thinking liberals,” needs painters, window cleaners, laundry service and cleaning and replacement of curtains and drapes. It also needs electricians to check wiring and fixtures and carpenters to build bookshelves. Information: Priscilla Yablon, (213) 387-5277.

* Organization for the Needs of the Elderly maintains two shelters. The Mark Taper Intergenerational Center in Van Nuys and the Valley Senior Service and Resource Center in Reseda both need volunteers to help the homebound elderly, to provide reassurance calls and to deliver food and greetings. Information: Marilyn Fried, (818) 705-2345.

Reach Out to Kids

* Caring for Babies With AIDS provides residential and outreach programs for HIV-positive or ill newborns and children who are indigent, abandoned or homeless. It also has services for families of children with AIDS. Donations of infant formula, disposable diapers and new clothes for children up to age 12 are needed. People who would like to help may purchase a tote bag or T-shirt for $10 each to provide money for other needs. Information: (213) 931-9828.

* Children’s Bureau of Southern California seeks foster parents to provide short-term or long-term care for babies, toddlers and school-age children. Qualifying foster families receive training, certification and financial support. Training provided. Information: Zenayda Fuentes, (213) 953-7350, Ext. 419.

* Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles needs caring, dependable men to share a few hours a week with boys who have no positive male role models. Must be 18 or over. Information: (213) 258-3333.

* U.S. Committee for United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is seeking retired professionals and volunteers with backgrounds in international relations--being multilingual would be a plus. Help is needed in the agency’s gift shop and West Los Angeles office. Information: Sarah Connor, (310) 277-7608.

* Nursery Nature Walks needs help with its tour program for disadvantaged and disabled children. Volunteers help youngsters learn about animals, habitats and plant life. On May 14, people are needed for Kids Nature Festival Day for children 1 to 8. Information: Judy Burns, (310) 998-1151.

Comfort AIDS

Patients

* AIDS Healthcare Foundation needs daytime volunteers in its Hollywood and downtown clinics. At its Atwater Village Thrift Store, volunteers sort and tag merchandise, arrange displays and prepare window displays. The foundation provides medical and hospice care to people with HIV and AIDS regardless of ability to pay. Information: Karen Wolman, (213) 462-2273.

* Los Angeles Jewish AIDS Services needs help one Sunday each month for its Project Chicken Soup program to cook, pack and deliver nutritious kosher meals and holiday baskets to people ill at home. The service also provides crisis intervention and supportive counseling for people with AIDS and their families and care givers. Information: (213) 653-8313.

* AIDS Service Center, Pasadena, will host a 2 1/2-day seminar on caring for people with HIV and AIDS. Free training will be given April 9. Reservations required. Information: (818) 796-5633.

* Project Angel Food needs people to offer two or more hours each week to deliver meals to ill homebound residents in the San Fernando Valley. Information: (818) 727-1044, or the hot line, (213) 656-9615.

Help Animals

* The Ark Trust Inc., a national non-profit animal protection organization, needs help with mailings, general office work and data entry (Macintosh and IBM clone). Sherman Oaks location. Information: (818) 786-9990.

* PAWS/LA (Pets Are Wonderful Support) cares for the pets of people with AIDS. They need cash donations and foster homes for temporary care of cats and dogs when owners are hospitalized. Adoptive homes are also needed. Information: (213) 876-PAWS.

* Neighborhood Animal Group, 3902 Sunset Blvd., needs help at its thrift shop which uses the proceeds to spay, neuter and pay medical bills for injured or sick cats and dogs. An hour or two a week helps. Donations of dog and cat food are also welcome. Information: (213) 664-6462. Help line: (213) 664-3424.

Other Ways to Help

* American Red Cross needs help with blood drives at various times and locations throughout the year. A training session will be held 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the El Monte Service Center, 3557 Lexington Ave., El Monte. Volunteers must have their own transportation and valid drivers licenses. Hours vary. Information: San Gabriel Valley, (818) 799-0841, Ext. 14. For training in Los Angeles: Trudy Brown, (213) 739-5507.

* L.A. Works, committed to revitalizing Los Angeles, helps other service agencies such as a community gardening project and a temporary shelter for teens in the MacArthur Park area. Volunteers can play games, bake or share other talents with teen-agers, help sort food at the Los Angeles Regional Foodbank and assist with mailings. Information: (213) 465-4097.

* Pasadena Historical Society needs tour guides for the 1905 Fenyes Mansion, a Beaux Arts-style home on Orange Grove Boulevard. Training over a six-week period, two sessions weekly, covers mansion history, art, furnishings and family. Information: (818) 577-1660.

* Women Helping Women Services needs multicultural, multilingual volunteers to provide counseling and advocacy for women in crisis. More than 1,000 calls come in monthly. Training in counseling, crisis response and other topics is provided by professionals. Information/applications: (213) 655-3807.

* American Cancer Society owns a resale boutique store at 77 N. Raymond St., Pasadena. Help is needed with tagging, organizing, selling and display work. Mondays-Saturdays. Information: (818) 793-3004.

* Richstone Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse will hold a Planting Party 8 a.m. to noon March 26 for its new center. A plant wish list is registered at Bob’s Nursery, 207 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Information: Dorothy Courtney, (310) 970-1921.

* El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument provides tours throughout the year to school children and visitors from all over the world. Volunteers lead tours and answer questions about the city’s first firehouse and theater, and other historical sites. Information: (800) 208-0012.

* Pasadena Rape Crisis Center needs women for its crisis hot line. Advocates must be 18 or older with good listening skills and a desire to help people of diverse backgrounds. There is a need for women of color and Spanish-speaking volunteers. Information: Lisa Marsh, (818) 793-5171.

Special Call for Help

American Suicide Foundation, Western Division, has been established for the prevention of suicide through research, education and coordination of community resources. Committed helpers with special skills in office management, word processing, data bases, publicity, fiscal management, administration and special event coordination are needed. Information: Paul Bressman, MD, (310) 826-7071; fax (818) 364-4499.