Volunteers : * Helping hands

GARDEN GROVE / Workers Bank on Doggone Good Cause

Who: Farmers & Merchants Bank employees

Contribution: Bank employees washed cars, sold baked goods and hosted a garage sale to raise $1,000 for the Garden Grove Police Department’s Canine Fund. The money will be used to train police dogs in narcotics detection, according to Police Chief Stanley L. Knee. “This caught us completely by surprise,” he said. “But this kind of support from members of our business community is truly appreciated.” The bank employees decided to raise the money after a presentation on bank safety and crime prevention by Officers Todd Langus and Mike Scalise, and their canine partners, Thunder and Nero. Donations may be sent to the Police Canine Fund, City of Garden Grove, P.O. Box 3070, Garden Grove, CA 92642.

SANTA ANA / Bar Bests Its ’93 Largess by a Ton

Who: Orange County Bar Assn.

Contribution: Donated more than four tons of food during the association’s second annual food drive to help the hungry. The collection bettered 1993 donations by a ton. The collected food was donated to the Food Distribution Center of Orange County, established in 1983 as a private, nonprofit food bank. The Orange County office of the law firm O’Melveny & Myers led the drive, collecting 2,659 pounds.

NEWPORT BEACH / $9,000 Raised for Needy Children

Who: Assistance League of Newport-Mesa

Contribution: Raised $9,000 to benefit school programs for needy children at its annual boat rally in late September. The competing teams had to decorate their boats and wear movie-themed costumes while following clues from the Balboa Bay Club to stops including the homes of Shirley Temple and Joseph Wambaugh. Newport Beach resident Bill Lanjhar, in his boat, “Ohm Work,” was the rally’s overall winner. The best costume award went to the Wayt family for “Aladdin,” while Lester Hale’s “M.A.S.H.” entry took the best-decorated prize. The league has 700 members in the area who help children of low-income families with school clothes, vaccinations and health examinations and dental care clinics.

IRVINE / Volunteer Is Gifted Fund-Raiser

Who: Irene Ziebarth

Contribution: Recently named one of several volunteers of the year by Cal State Fullerton. She is a five-year member of the President’s Associates and has raised $25,000 for the organization. She has also hosted events, recruited members and worked to renew memberships for the campus group. She is also a four-year member of the campus Executive Committee.