Philanthropy is a part of life in...

Philanthropy is a part of life in Orange County. Every day, people generously lend a hand to help others.

To recognize such efforts, Southern California Living publishes information about fund-raising events that make a difference in the lives of so many--from those who give to those who receive. Every Tuesday we list opportunities to help others, whether mentoring a teen or serving a meal to a senior.

For this holiday season, we are extending our list of such volunteer opportunities and including wish lists from nonprofit agencies who serve the disadvantaged in Orange County. A compilation, alphabetical by city, will run over a few days, starting today.

Requests were compiled from information sent to The Times from agencies and the Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County. The Southern California Living staff is teaming up to help a health-care agency for the homeless.

We’d like to hear about your good deeds, wether you donate a box of diapers or adopt a family. Please write to us, explaining what you did and how it made you feel.

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Today’s holiday volunteer opportunities and wish list includes agencies in ANAHEIM, COSTA MESA, DANA POINT, FULLERTON, GARDEN GROVE, HUNTINGTON BEACH, IRVINE, LA HABRA, LAGUNA BEACH, LAGUNA HILLS, MIDWAY CITY, MISSION VIEJO and NEWPORT BEACH. More holiday wishes will appear in this section Wednesday.

Anaheim

Anaheim Therapeutic Recreation Program: Twenty volunteers are needed to bake cookies, prepare refreshments, entertain guests, sing carols and help organize a holiday party Dec. 19 for developmentally disabled clients and their families. (Minimum age for volunteers is 12.) Teri Mountford, (714) 821-6510.

Dayle McIntosh Center for the Disabled: Eight volunteers are needed during the annual holiday gift program in which low-income families with disabilities receive a food basket and toys. Donation wish list: new, unwrapped toys for children up to age 14; nonperishable food; baked goods. Danielle DePalma, (714) 772-8285.

Solevar Community Development Corp.: Volunteers are needed to sort and pack food baskets and toys, bake cookies, wrap gifts, raise money and help with holiday spruce-up projects for this agency that strives to turn around the lives of disadvantaged and gang-affiliated youths and their families through community service, sports and educational outreach. Donation wish list: toys for preschoolers through sixth graders; toiletries for junior high and high school students; money for scholarships and family support. (Minimum age for volunteers is 14.) Seferino Garlra, (714) 535-0488.

Westview Services Inc.: Four volunteers are needed Dec. 23 to bake cookies, prepare refreshments, sing carols and provide entertainment at this agency’s annual Christmas party. The agency is dedicated to enriching the lives of people with developmental disabilities. Marguerite Mills, (714) 635-2444.

Costa Mesa

Harry & Grace Steele Children’s Center at Orange Coast College: Donation wish list: gifts and food for low-income student parents attending Orange Coast College. Vicki Borthwick, (949) 432-5569.

Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter: Donation wish list: travel-size toiletries; large diapers; money for food. David Lewis, (949) 631-7213.

Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center: Groups of volunteers are needed to sponsor families during the holidays. This agency strives to break the generational cycle of family violence, poverty and teen pregnancy. Donation wish list: toys. Shira Duzman, (949) 722-1107.

Project Cuddle Inc. & ARK-Services for Abused Children: Volunteers are needed to adopt a family and help organize a party for abused, abandoned and drug-affected children up to age 12. Help is also needed to wrap gifts, sing carols, pick up and deliver donations and raise money. Donation wish list: money; baked goods for 600 people; warm clothes children of all ages, including pregnant teenagers and newborns; toys; sporting goods; hair-care products for teen girls; after-shave; pajamas and swimwear for teen boys; biking helmets; skateboard gear; gift certificates to music and clothing stores. These two separate agencies provide rescue and support programs for abandoned children and children living in foster care. Sue Carlson, (714) 432-9681.

Royal Family Kids’ Camps Inc. Volunteers are needed to wrap gifts for children in foster care or receiving social services. Diane Tesch, (949) 568-4828.

Someone Cares Soup Kitchen: Donation wish list: toys; money; food; toiletries. Lee Plumley, (949) 547-8861.

Southern California Alcohol & Drug Programs: Donation wish list: toys and gifts for pregnant women and mothers with substance-abuse and related problems. Nancy Harless, (949) 646-2271.

Dana Point

Animal Rescue Foundation of Dana Point: Volunteers and sponsors are needed to help this agency’s Wag-a-Thon fund-raiser. Donation wish list: computers; software; money. Sue Walshe, (949) 240-2899.

Fullerton

Integrity House: Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve meals and refreshments, bake cookies, organize a holiday party, pick up and deliver donations, raise money and visit adults with cognitive disabilities. Donation wish list: money; toiletries; food. (Minimum age for volunteers is 12.) Cathy DeMello, (714) 526-9154.

YMCA Communities in Prevention-North: Thirty volunteers are needed to go door-to-door and talk to residents about alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems and what to do about them. Training is provided. Megan Thomerson, (714) 525-6033.

YWCA of North Orange County: Eight volunteers are needed to prepare and serve meals, bake cookies, organize a holiday party and help with spruce-up projects for this agency that provides opportunities for women and children to improve their physical, emotional and financial well-being. Donation wish list: toiletries for women; bathrobes; towels and bathmats; gift certificates to movies; crib sheets; potholders; entry rugs; answering machine. Jan Hester, (714) 871-4709.

Garden Grove

Lutheran Social Services: Twelve volunteers are needed to prepare and serve Christmas Day dinner. Donation wish list: food; toys; hygiene items. (Minimum age for volunteers is 18.) Bonnie Miller, (714) 534-6450.

Thomas House Shelter: Volunteers are needed to adopt a family, bake cookies, organize a holiday party and photograph the event for this temporary living shelter for homeless families. Donation wish list: money; gift certificates to stores and fast-food restaurants; blankets; sheets; towels; 250 Christmas stockings with candy. (Minimum age for volunteers is 12.) Sister Kathy Stein, (714) 554-0357.

World Relief: Volunteers are needed to donate toys, household items, clothes or other things that would help a refugee family. Duane Nordstrom, (714) 890-0665.

Huntington Beach

Children’s Bureau of Southern California: Twelve volunteers are needed to organize a holiday party, bake cookies, prepare refreshments, dress up as Santa, sing carols and photograph the event. This agency provides children with support services, counseling, tutoring, after-school recreation clubs and a homework club. Donation wish list: food; toys; clothing; toiletries; diapers. (Minimum age for volunteers is 16.) Lisa Monroe, (714) 375-3725.

Irvine

AIDS Services Foundation: Volunteers are needed to help assemble and deliver gift baskets to people living with HIV. (Minimum age for volunteers is 16.) Donation wish list: money; canned or packaged food. Larry Kuzela, (949) 253-1514.

CSP Victim Assistance Programs: Volunteers are needed to adopt a family at this agency that provides needed services for victims and witnesses of crime. Donation wish list: new, unwrapped toys; clothing; household items; gift or food certificates. Cindy Wilkerson, (949) 752-6158.

Lupus Foundation of America Inc., Southern California Chapter: Volunteers are needed to help file, copy and stuff envelopes in this agency’s office during the holidays. Lizabeth L. Chambers, (949) 833-2121.

La Habra

The Gary Center: Ten volunteers are needed to adopt a family, bake cookies, wrap gifts, organize a party, photograph the event, dress up as Santa Claus or an elf and raise money for low-income families. Donation wish list: toys; money; food. Carol, (562) 691-3296.

Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce: Twenty-five volunteers are needed to bake cookies, prepare refreshments, organize a holiday party, photograph the event, dress up as Santa and sing carols. Donation wish list: chocolate desserts. (Minimum age for volunteers is 12.) Louise Davy, (949) 494-1018.

Laguna Hills

Saddleback Community Outreach: Twenty volunteers are needed to adopt a family, sort and pack food baskets, wrap gifts, pick up and deliver donations and raise money. Donation wish list: new toys; canned food; toiletries; detergent; money. (Minimum age for volunteers is 15.) Shirley Longfield, (949) 380-8144.

South County Senior Services: Volunteers are needed to prepare, serve and deliver meals to the elderly in their home or at senior centers. Help is also needed to organize a holiday party, provide entertainment, sing carols and raise money. Donation wish list: money. Dorothy Siemann or Marc Marger, (949) 498-0400.

Midway City

Shelter for the Homeless: Donation wish list: food; pies; gifts for residents of this temporary living shelter for low-income adults and families. Judy Kampmann, (714) 897-3221.

Mission Viejo

Pros & Cons Project: Thirty volunteers are needed to adopt a family for the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, pick up and deliver donations, inventory toys, clothing and food drives, and distribute to families in need. This agency provides ex-offenders, at-risk youth and their families with hope. Hank Lamb, (714) 750-6856.

Women’s AssistanCenter: Ten volunteers are needed to adopt a family or help to distribute clothing, toys, shoes and hygiene items to low-income women and children. A.J. Lane, (949) 745-4170.

Newport Beach

FISH Harbor Area: Donation wish list: toys; food; money. (Minimum age for volunteers is 7.) Deanna Lewis, (949) 642-6060.

Human Options: Volunteers are needed to sort and pack toys, adopt a family, bake cookies, organize a holiday party, pick up and deliver donations, dress up as Santa and sing carols at a party given by this agency that provides emergency assistance and prevents domestic violence. Donation wish list: food; clothing; women’s and children’s toiletries; money; toys. Leslie Van Fossan, (949) 854-0180.

For more opportunities:

* The Volunteer Center of Greater Orange County, a resource center for volunteers and nonprofit organizations. Call (714) 953-5757, Ext. 106. Or visit its Web site at https://www.volunteercenter.org, which lists 1,500 local organizations.

* The Volunteer Exchange, (714) 899-6849.