HOLIDAY HELPERS

HOLIDAY PARTIES

The Guadalupe Center in Canoga Park, which has a food pantry and other services, needs volunteers 18 and older to play Santa’s helpers at a Dec. 21 Christmas party. Volunteers are also needed to help in the office, yard, food pantry, clothing store, with a reading program for children and to be tutors for a youth program. 21600 Hart St. (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 holiday baskets and distribute toys Dec. 22. Donations of food and new, unwrapped toys for children 6 to 12 are also needed. 11243 Glenoaks Blvd., Suite 4. 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 are also needed for a hotline, 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 (323) 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.

The Catalyst Foundation provides free medical care and support services to people with HIV / AIDS. The foundation is accepting monetary donations and needs volunteers for food delivery, a speakers’ bureau and other tasks. For its gift basket program, the foundation also needs donations of such food items as coffee, pasta and applesauce, and personal items like toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and powder. 44758 Elm Ave., Lancaster 93534. Call (805) 948-8559.

Celiac Disease Foundation, which provides a variety of services to celiacs and their families, needs volunteers to help in the office. Celiac disease is a digestive disorder in which people cannot eat any grain. Children are severely affected. 13251 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1, Studio City 91604. Call (818) 990-2354.

National Jewish Medical & Research Center, which operates Aunt Fannie’s Attic thrift store, is seeking donations of clean men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, linens and books. 7131 Reseda Blvd., Reseda. Call (818) 705-0906.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is seeking volunteers for clerical work in addition to monetary donations. The Southern California chapter is at 2440 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 115, Los Angeles 90064. Call (310) 479-4456.

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Foundation is accepting monetary donations, food, new or used infant clothing, disposable diapers and other infant supplies for its “Healthy Beginnings / Comienzo Sano” program. Incentive gifts, such as gift certificates, are also needed to encourage completion of the program. 14445 Olive View Drive, North Annex, Sylmar 91342. Call (818) 364-1555.

Valley HIV / AIDS Center is accepting donations of toys, clothes and food, in addition to monetary donations, for its clients. 6850 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 school, founded 25 years ago, is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. 15520 Sherman Way, Van Nuys 91406. Call (818) 988-2740.

SEASONAL EVENTS

Mothers Against Drunk Driving needs volunteers for special holiday events. Throughout the year, volunteers are used at health fairs to distribute literature, speak at schools and other organizations about the program, organize its annual fund-raiser and assist with victim services. Also, teenagers are always needed to become involved at high schools. Call (310) 215-2905.

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.

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