HOLIDAY HELPERS

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) 901-9480.

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 help with office duties. Forty hours of training are given to people who work the hotline or are part of the emergency response team. For the holidays, the home needs new items for gifts for children and their mothers, especially for adolescent boys. Volunteers are also needed for a speakers’ bureau and a teen dating violence prevention program. Call (818) 887-7481.

SENIORS

The Dedicated Older Volunteers in Educational Services (DOVES), a program of the Los Angeles Unified School District, needs volunteers with skills in math, English, reading or science-related fields to work in the classroom with students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Call (818) 997-2300, Ext. 6900.

Meals to the Homebound offers a hot meals and beverages to elderly people confined to their homes. Volunteers are needed to make reassurance calls and serve as backup drivers. Drivers must be at least 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 or (818) 353-1413 in Sunland.

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

The Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) in Panorama City and Burbank place adults 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 will be trained. Minority and bilingual volunteers are encouraged to apply. Call (800) 334-9473 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.

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

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

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

* Mid-Valley Senior Center, Van Nuys, (818) 785-8488.

* North Hollywood Senior Center, (818) 763-5361.

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

* Sunland Senior Center, (818) 353-9571.

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

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

* Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Senior Center, Sherman Oaks, (818) 784-2113.

* West Valley Senior Center, Reseda, (818) 345-4262.

* 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. 10 silent auction. 230 E. Amherst Drive, Burbank 91504. Call (818) 843-4907.

Heads Up, Therapy on Horseback gives disabled children an opportunity to continue physical therapy in a nonclinical environment. The Saugus ranch 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 saddles and tack as well as volunteers to help disabled riders care for horses. Call (818) 700-2971.

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.