United Blood Services Seeking Donors

Ventura County United Blood Services, a nonprofit blood provider, is in critical need of donors, particularly of Type O blood. There are donor centers in Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley, all with mobile units visiting the local communities regularly. For appointments at any location or for information: 654-8104 or 800-715-3699.

Life Center Hosts Valentine’s Dinner Dance

* The Life Center of Ventura County will hold its 12th annual Valentine’s Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the Sunset Hills Country Club, 4155 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks. The dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by dancing. Tickets are $35 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Life Centers. For reservations or information: 486-2721.

Project Understanding to Hold Auction

* Project Understanding will hold its eighth annual live and silent auction Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Pacific View Mall, 3350 Telegraph Road, Ventura. All proceeds benefit Project Understanding and its programs. Tickets are $10. For tickets or information: 652-1326.

4 Authors to Be Featured at Annual Luncheon

* The 12 O’Clockers Auxiliary of the Ventura County Assistance League present its annual author’s luncheon on Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. at Las Posas Country Club, 955 Fairway Drive, Camarillo. Four authors will be presenting their latest books. Robert Crais, mystery writer; Anitra Sheen, nonfiction about Hollywood; Lillian Carson, nonfiction about grandparenting; Cherie Carter-Scott, humor about love. Proceeds will benefit the 12 O’Clockers’ scholarship fund. Reservations are required. Tickets are $35. For reservations or information: 642-3134.

Hospice to Train Patient Care Volunteers

* Camarillo Hospice Inc. is recruiting patient care volunteers for its training course to be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays Feb. 8 to March 21 at St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital, 2415 Antonio Ave., Camarillo. Volunteers will help meet the special needs of those living with a life-threatening illness and their families. The course cost is $25. Volunteer or information: 389-5897.

2 Events to Assist American Heart Assn.

* The American Heart Assn. hosts the Ojai Valley’s Classic Heart and Sole Fun Run / Walk, with registration beginning at 7 a.m. Feb. 12 in Sarzotti Park, 510 Park Road, Ojai. The run offers 5K, 10K and 1-mile distances. Registration is $20 for the 5K and 10K, $10 for students under 18. All children will receive medals. The Heart and Sole Auction, featuring donations from local artists and merchants, will be at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Ojai Racquet Club, 409 S. Fox St., Ojai. Both will benefit the American Heart Assn. Information: 445-7050.

University Group to Hold Fashion Show

* The Oxnard/Hueneme branch of the American Assn. of University Women will hold a fund-raiser fashion show and silent auction for its Educational Foundation Fund at 11 a.m. Feb. 12 at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel, 1050 Schooner Drive, Ventura. The fashion show will feature clothing from Morocco, India, Asia and West Africa. Make reservations by Feb. 4. Ticket price is $20. Information: 485-0167.

Hikes to Help Fund Regional Food Bank

* FOOD Share’s “Hike Against Hunger,” co-sponsored by the Pierpont Inn and Racquet Club, will be held Feb. 12 at the San Buenaventura State Beach off Harbor Boulevard. Registration begins at 7:30 p.m., and the hikes start between 7:45 and 9 a.m. There are four hiking options: a two-mile hike, a four-mile hike, an eight-mile hike and a 30-mile two-day hike to Santa Barbara. Hikers will invite family and friends to sponsor them with a per-mile pledge. Those with a minimum of $50 in pledges will receive a “Hike Against Hunger 2000” T-shirt. For every $100 in pledges, hikers receive a ticket for prize drawings. All proceeds fund FOOD Share, the county’s only regional food bank. To register or for more information: 983-7100.

Ombudsman Program to Train Volunteers

* The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program will hold volunteer training beginning Feb. 14. The duties of an ombudsman include ensuring that residents in long-term care facilities are guaranteed human rights. In some cases, the ombudsman is the only link to the outside world for the residents, many of whom have no families. To schedule an interview or for more information: 656-1986.

Great Race of Agoura to Benefit Schools

* The 15th annual Great Race of Agoura will begin at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 26 with a 5K run at Agoura High School, 28545 W. Driver Ave. A competitive 2K for ages 7-12 will start at 8:15 a.m., a 10K run will start at 8:30 a.m. and a family fun run will begin at 10 a.m. There will be refreshments donated by local sponsors, and the K-Earth 101 van will play music and hold giveaways. This event will benefit five elementary schools in the Agoura Hills area and is an official warmup for the Los Angeles Marathon. Information: 320-0020.

Senior Volunteer Group Seeking Items

* The Conejo Valley Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is accepting donations of used or faded bath or hand towels, new and used clothing for children, baby flannel and cotton fabrics, fiberfill, used eyeglasses, diapers, lotions, soap, powder, rattles and stuffed toys. Senior volunteers will also make quilts and teddy bears. Donations may be delivered to RSVP, 1385 Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Information: 381-2742.

Volunteers Sought to Help Cancer Society

* The American Cancer Society is recruiting volunteers to assist in the fight against cancer during its 2000 Daffodil Days campaign. Volunteers are needed to raise money for lifesaving research, public education and patient programs. They are also needed to drive patients to treatments. To qualify, you must have a valid driver’s license, insurance and a clear driving record. Information: 983-8864 or 497-0114.

County Library Agency to Train Tutors

* The Ventura County Library Services Agency is holding training for volunteers interested in tutoring adults for a literacy program. All training and materials are free. The agency requires a commitment of two hours a week in either Ventura, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Fillmore or Camarillo. To enroll or information: 641-4484.

Foster Library Friends Run Used-Book Store

* The newly remodeled Foster Library now offers a used-book store at its location 651 E. Main St., Ventura. The store is run by volunteers from Ventura Friends of the Library. Most paperbacks are 50 cents and hardbacks are $1. All proceeds are donated to Ventura libraries for new books and materials. To volunteer or for more information: 642-4358.

Community Chest, a weekly listing of charitable fund-raising events, is compiled by Alex Field. Please address items, with a publishable telephone number, to Community Chest, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items can also be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.