THE SPIRIT OF GIVING : Charities Seeking Donations of Time, Toys, Food and Funds

By ED BOND and SUSAN ABRAM

Nov. 23, 1995 12 AM PT

GENERAL ASSISTANCE

The Burbank Temporary Aid Center provides holiday food baskets to local families and individuals. People are needed to prepare food, make baskets, sort donated items and answer telephones. Call (818) 846-2330.

El Centro de Amistad, 7024 Deering Ave., Canoga Park, an agency run under the auspices of the county Mental Health Department, provides food, and during the holidays, toys for needy families. Volunteers are needed during Christmas week to distribute the items to area families. Call (818) 347-8565.

Friends of the Family, a family support and resource center, needs volunteer help, unwrapped toys and monetary donations. 14522 Kittridge St., Van Nuys, CA 91405. Call (818) 988-4430.

Loaves and Fishes, a homeless outreach program in Glendale, needs donations for food and toys. Volunteers are needed to distribute food. Someone with a pickup truck is especially needed. 4322 San Fernando Road, Glendale. Call (818) 409-3080.

MEND (Meet Each Need With Dignity), a volunteer community group, needs canned hams and other canned goods, rice, cereals, blankets and new unwrapped toys for children for holiday baskets. Volunteers are needed to sort donations, wrap toys, pack food boxes and pick up donations. 13460 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima 91331. Call (818) 897-2443.

Salvation Army of the San Fernando Valley needs volunteer bell ringers, volunteers to run the Angel Tree gift-giving program as well as donations of canned goods and sweaters. 14917 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. Call (818) 781-5739. The Burbank Salvation Army needs volunteers to box food donations for holiday baskets, deliver toys and baskets and run an Angel Tree program. 300 E. Angeleno Ave., Burbank. Call (818) 845-7214 and ask for Lt. Cruz Guzman, Lt. Krista Guzman or Elaine Paonessa, chairwoman of the Christmas collection, at (818) 845-6851. The Salvation Army Service Extension Office in San Fernando needs donations for more than 300 families, plus bell ringers and volunteers to supervise other volunteers. 1027 N. Maclay Ave., San Fernando. Call (818) 361-6462.

Santa Comes to Agoura needs volunteers and donations to be delivered to needy families in December. Food is to be packed and organized for delivery by volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Carl’s Jr. restaurant parking lot, corner of Kanan Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Checks, made out to Optimist Club/Santa, may be mailed to 6602 Maplegrove St., Agoura. Call George Annino at (818) 991-1732.

Santa Rosa Community Center needs food baskets and a lot of baby clothes, formula and diapers. Volunteers are needed for light clerical work, and in the food pantry and clothes room. Light maintenance volunteer work is also needed. 511 Kalisher St., San Fernando. Call (818) 365-3195.

Tree of Life Ministries is accepting donations of non-perishable items, toys and monetary gifts. Drop off food and toys at 6642 Reseda Blvd. in Reseda, or write to P.O. Box 596, Reseda 91335. Call (818) 996-8389.

Volunteer Center of San Fernando Valley is accepting food, toys, books and gifts for needy families through Dec. 8. Also coordinates volunteering opportunities throughout the Valley. Call (818) 908-5066.

The Valley Interfaith Council, based in Chatsworth, provides 17 food pantries for the needy. The organization is a network of Valley temples and churches that serves millions of meals each year. Volunteers are needed to set and clean tables, prepare and serve food, and to do telephone and office work. Volunteer car drivers and truck drivers with valid licenses also are needed. Volunteers are also needed to work with Alzheimer’s patients. Call (818) 718-6460. Volunteers may give assistance at three multipurpose centers: Bernardi Multipurpose Senior Center, 6514 Sylmar Ave. Van Nuys, (818) 891-1101; East Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, 5000 Colfax Ave., North Hollywood. (818) 766-5165, and the Northeast Valley Multipurpose Center, 11300 Glenoaks Blvd., Pacoima. (818) 834-6100.

TOYS

Toys for the Needy, sponsored by the Los Angeles Fire Department, has drums at all fire stations for collections of unwrapped toys for children from infancy to teen-agers. Donations start Dec. 1 and continue until at least Dec. 20. Call (818) 786-5170.

Toys for Tots, sponsored by the U.S. Marines Reserve Center in Encino, is collecting toys at a number of Valley locations, including Phil’s Car and Truck Rental, 20112 Sherman Way, Canoga Park; any Marine Corps recruiting office; Video Blowout, 23630 San Fernando Road in Newhall; Highland Federal Bank, 5939 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills; Globe Marble, 7348 Bel Air Ave., North Hollywood; Mission College, 13356 Eldridge Ave., Sylmar; Beverly Garland Holiday Inn, 422 Vineyard Ave., North Hollywood; Woodland Plaza, 4243 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills; Lancaster Fast Frame, 4083 W. Ave. L, Lancaster; Liddon Co., 21240 Burbank Blvd., Woodland Hills, and Valley Auto Works, 21430 Ingomar St., Canoga Park. Call Sgt. David Kent at (818) 705-0012 or Sgt. Greg Coleman at (818) 705-0027.

The Department of Children and Family Services for Los Angeles County is collecting new, unwrapped toys. In Lancaster call (805) 723-4319 or drop them off at 335 E. Ave. K, No. 6, Lancaster. Food and household supplies are also needed. In the San Fernando Valley, call (818) 901-3219. Gifts for teen-agers are especially needed.

San Fernando Valley Child Guidance Clinic is accepting donations of holiday gifts for children of all ages by Dec. 10 and monetary donations. 9650 Zelzah Ave., Northridge. Call (818) 993-9311.

San Fernando Valley Hispanic Foster Parent Assn. is accepting monetary donations and new, unwrapped toys for children ages 5 to 17. 1027 Maple St., Burbank 91505. Call (818) 955-8531.

Walden Environment is accepting monetary donations and new, unwrapped toys for foster children of all ages. Toys may be dropped off by Dec. 10 at Northridge Fashion Center, 9301 Tampa Ave., Northridge, or by Dec. 11 at Walden Environment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11150 Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 204, Mission Hills 91345. Call (818) 365-3665.

Walking Shield American Indian Society is accepting monetary donations and new unwrapped toys and holiday gifts for Native American children 1 to 17 living on reservations. Gifts may be dropped off at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Other drop-off points include Pierce College Agricultural Department, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills; Great Western Bank, 3960 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village, and Walking Shield American Indian Society, 4916 Colfax Ave., Northridge. Call (310) 281-9789.

YOUTH GROUPS

Boys & Girls Club of Burbank needs volunteer coaches for sports teams and tutors to help children with homework. Money is needed to keep the club running. Sports equipment, tables, chairs, office supplies and game room equipment are also needed. The clubhouse is at 2244 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank. Send donations to P.O. Box 1476, Burbank 91507. Call (818) 842-9333.

Catholic Big Brothers needs volunteers older than 18 to serve as big brothers to children 7 to 14. 3300 W. Temple St., Los Angeles 90026. Call (213) 251-9800.

Jewish Big Brothers of Los Angeles offers Jewish children from 6 to 18 a big brother to take them to such places as the zoo or the movies. All of the children come from single-parent homes. Volunteers must be at least 23 and are asked to give four to six hours a week for a year. The screening process is extensive. Call (800) 453-KIDS. Orientation meetings are ongoing.

THE HOMELESS

L.A. Family Housing Corp., a homeless support organization that runs the Valley Shelter, needs volunteers to participate in the Valley Shelter’s Adopt-A-Family for the Holidays project. Volunteers will provide gifts and/or holiday food baskets. 7843 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Call Allison Lee, the Valley Shelter director of development, at (818) 982-4091.

Loaves and Fishes in Van Nuys is a food pantry and clothing distribution center that operates under the umbrella of Catholic Charities. The organization serves people on limited incomes and the homeless of all denominations. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Volunteers are needed to interview applicants, fill food orders, sort and organize the pantry and clothing, and help with office work. Donations of food are welcome at any time, but especially during the holidays. Call (818) 997-0943.

Women’s Care Cottage, which offers shelter and help to homeless women and their children, needs non-perishable food and “street food” that does not need to be cooked or opened with a can opener. Donations of new clothes and toys are also needed. Volunteers are needed one day a week from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the new resource center at 6040 Vineland Ave., North Hollywood. Call (818) 753-4580.

SENIORS

The Dedicated Older Volunteers in Educational Services (DOVES), a program connected with the Los Angeles Unified School District, needs volunteers with skills in math or science-related fields to work at the junior and senior high school levels. Call (213) 625-6900.

Jewish Elder-Care Corps provides care and companionship to senior citizens in nursing homes. Volunteers are asked to visit on a regular basis. Activities include reading, writing, playing games and conversing with patients. Volunteers are matched with nursing homes in the area. Days are flexible. Call (818) 905-2125.

Meals to the Homebound offers a hot meal and beverage to elderly people confined to their homes. Volunteers must be 18 and hold a current California driver’s license and insurance. Drivers are reimbursed for mileage. Call (818) 988-7188 in Van Nuys, (818) 761-6224 in North Hollywood, (818) 353-1413 in Sunland or (818) 361-8089 in San Fernando.

Organization for the Needs of the Elderly (O.N.E.) is accepting monetary donations and volunteers to help with programs. 17400 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys 91406. Call (818) 705-2345.

The Retired Senior Volunteer Programs in Panorama City and Burbank place older adults aged 55 and older as volunteers in various community and nonprofit agencies, schools and hospitals, homeless advocacy and libraries. Call (818) 908-5070 for the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys or (818) 238-5370 in Burbank.

Wise Senior Services Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Program recruits volunteers to assist senior citizens with legal questions about their convalescent or nursing home care. Volunteers require training. Minority and bilingual volunteers are encouraged to apply. Call Estelle Harris at (800) 344-9473 or (310) 394-9871.

Senior citizen centers throughout the county use volunteers during the holidays to get involved with special programs and bring warmth and holiday cheer to the elderly. Other programs are offered during the year. The locations are:

* Agoura Hills Senior Center, (818) 597-7361.

* Bernardi Multipurpose Senior Center, Van Nuys, (818)

781-1101.

* Canoga Park Senior Center, (818) 340-2633 or (818) 992-8094.

* East Valley Multipurpose Senior Center, North Hollywood, (818) 766-5165.

* Glendale Senior Center, (818) 548-3775.

* Jewish Elder-Care Corps, Valleywide, (818) 905-2125.

* Joslyn Senior Center, Burbank, (818) 238-5370.

* Valley Senior Service and Resource Center, Reseda, (818) 705-2345.

* Santa Clarita Senior Center, Santa Clarita, (805) 259-9444.

* Valley Storefront Multipurpose Center of Seniors, North Hollywood, (818) 984-1380.

* Robert M. Wilkinson Center, Northridge, (818) 756-7741.

THE DISABLED

Burbank Center for the Retarded is accepting monetary donations and boutique items for a Dec. 5 silent auction. 348 E. Olive Ave., Suite A, Burbank 91502. Call (818) 843-4907.

Heads Up, Therapy on Horseback gives disabled people an opportunity to continue physical therapy in a non-clinical environment. The Saugus range has about 30 people in its program, with three volunteers required per horse and rider. Equestrian experience is not required. Volunteers are also needed for fund-raising activities. Call (805) 297-7433.

Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship needs donations of a portable construction office to be used as a tack room, saddles and tack as well as volunteers to help disabled riders care for horses. 21152 Chatsworth St., Chatsworth 91311. Call (818) 700-8412.

Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind is accepting items including orthopedic devices, hearing aids, household items, exercise equipment, rocking chairs, televisions and electric typewriters. 7955 Lindley Ave., Reseda 91335. Call (818) 708-1740.

HOLIDAY PARTIES

The Guadalupe Center in Canoga Park, which has a food pantry among other services, needs volunteers at least 18 years old to play Santa’s helpers at a Dec. 21 Christmas party. 21600 Hart St., Canoga Park. (818) 340-2050.

The Pacoima Community Youth Culture Center offers a variety of counseling, tutorial and other educational programs for low-income people. Volunteers are needed to prepare, cook, clean and serve holiday dinners and baskets. For Christmas, the center runs a Save Our Children Christmas party, Dec. 16 at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center. Call (818) 896-8878.

HEALTH SERVICES

AIDS Project Los Angeles, a countywide agency, is looking for buddies to offer comfort and companionship during the holidays and assist with small errands and other household chores. Volunteers also are needed for the hot line, clerical duties and fund-raising campaigns. Training is provided, and buddies can be matched by location. Sign-language interpreters and bilingual volunteers are especially needed. Call (213) 993-1376.

Bienestar Latino AIDS Project is accepting donations of food, clothing and money for victims of AIDS and homelessness. 6850 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 110, Van Nuys 91405. Call (818)908-3820 or (213) 660-9680.

Catalyst Foundation for AIDS Awareness and Care provides free medical care and support services to people with AIDS. The foundation is accepting monetary donations and needs volunteers for buddy program, hospital visits, a speaker’s bureau and other tasks. For its gift basket program the foundation also needs donations of personal items such as toothpaste, shampoo, deodorants and cologne. 44758 Elm Ave., Lancaster 93534. Call (805) 948-8559.

Celiac Disease Foundation, which provides a variety of services to celiacs and their families, needs volunteer office help with clerical and fund-raising skills. Celiac disease is an inherited disorder in which victims cannot eat any grain. Children are severely affected. 13251 Ventura Blvd., Suite 3, Studio City 91604. Call (818) 990-2354.

National Jewish Center for Immunology and Respiratory Medicine operates Aunt Fannie’s Attic thrift store and is seeking donations of men’s, children’s and women’s clean clothing and shoes. 7146 Reseda Blvd., Reseda. Call (818) 705-9429.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society is seeking monetary donations. The Southern California chapter is located at 230 N. Maryland Ave., Suite 303, Glendale 91206. Call (818) 247-1175.

Northridge Hospital Foundation/Earthquake Relief is accepting monetary donations to help cover damage to the medical center sustained in the Northridge earthquake. (Note “earthquake relief” on check.) 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge 91328. Call (818) 885-5341.

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Foundation is accepting monetary donations, food, new or used infant clothing, disposable diapers and other infant supplies for its preventive health education programs. 14445 Olive View Drive, Cottage M, Sylmar 91342. Call (818) 834-1485.

Project Guardian Volunteers need help delivering gifts to disabled, elderly or bedridden patients of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. 320 W. Temple St., 9th Floor, Los Angeles. Call Joan Vitale or Chris Marshall at (213) 974-0400 or (213) 974-0543.

Valley HIV/AIDS Center needs volunteers to work from Dec. 19 to 24 in its gift-wrapping booth at Thrifty Drug Store, 17266 Saticoy St., Van Nuys. Also accepting donations. 6850 Van Nuys Blvd., Suite 110, Van Nuys 91405. Call (818) 908-3840.

Visually Handicapped Adults of the Valley, a school for blind or visually impaired people in the San Fernando Valley, needs people to help in the kitchen, distribute lunches, guide clients and do other general work. The group, founded about 20 years ago, is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. 6565 Vesper Ave., Van Nuys. Call (818) 988-2740.

MISCELLANEOUS

El Proyecto del Barrio Inc. provides a variety of services including primary health care, employment and training as well as outpatient drug treatment. It is accepting monetary donations to continue senior outreach services and a food basket giveaway for clients and neighbors. 8902 Woodman Ave., Arleta 91331. Call (818) 830-7133.

Los Angeles Community Action Network (L.A. CAN) is a volunteer membership organization that began in 1983. The network assists other organizations with fund-raising events. Members receive a bimonthly newsletter with about 80 to 100 listings for volunteer help. Call (310) 391-5770.

NA’AMAT USA, San Fernando Valley Council, which supports human rights for Jews in distress, Jewish education, women’s rights and child welfare, is accepting monetary donations and collecting stuffed animals to give to abused children. 16161 Ventura Blvd., No. 101, Encino 91436. Call (818) 995-4035.

SEASONAL EVENTS

Mothers Against Drunk Driving needs holiday volunteers for special holiday events. Throughout the year, volunteers are used at health fairs to pass out literature, speak at local schools and other organizations about the program, organize its annual fund-raiser and assist with victim services. Also, teen-agers are always needed to become involved at high schools. Call (818)-509-2922.

JOB ASSISTANCE

Lutheran Social Services, an emergency center in Van Nuys since 1946, uses about 300 volunteers to help thousands of the needy and provide job assistance. Volunteers are especially needed around the holidays for interviewing, case management, staffing the job desk and food distribution. Bilingual volunteers are in demand. Call (818) 785-2114.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Haven Hills offers battered women and their children shelter during a domestic emergency. Volunteers are needed to staff referral telephones, donate clothing and furniture and to help with office duties. Forty hours of training are given to people who work on the hot line. For the holidays, the home needs new items for holiday gifts for children and their mothers, especially for adolescent boys. Volunteers are also needed for a speaker’s bureau and a teen dating violence prevention program. Call (818) 887-7481.

HOSPITALS

Hospitals use volunteers in many ways; a variety of hours and days are available. Most positions require some training.

* Antelope Valley Hospital Medical Center, Lancaster (805) 949-5105.

* Encino Hospital, (818) 995-5036.

* Encino/Tarzana Regional Medical Center, (818) 708-5134.

* Glendale Adventist Medical Center, (818) 409-8057.

* Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center (818) 502-2373.

* Granada Hills Community Hospital, (818) 360-1021.

* Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, Valencia, (805) 253-8051.

* Kaiser Permanente in Panorama City, (818) 375-2858.

* Medical Center of North Hollywood, (818) 980-9200.

* Northridge Hospital Medical Center, (818) 885-5404.