Valleywide : Volunteering Opportunities

Burbank’s Retired and Senior Volunteer Program needs volunteers older than 55 for the following groups:

The Burbank office of the American Red Cross, at 1001 W. Magnolia Blvd., needs volunteer receptionists to answer phones, give out information on health and safety classes, do light typing and perform general office duties. Volunteers work four to 4 1/2 hours a week.

St. Elizabeth’s Toluca Lake Convalescent Hospital, 10425 Magnolia Blvd., needs volunteers to work weekends between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Volunteers are especially needed from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Volunteers help serve refreshments, talk with or read to residents, or help the activities coordinator.

The Salvation Army office in Burbank needs a receptionist to greet visitors and answer phones. Volunteers must be friendly and flexible. Some ability to speak Spanish would be helpful. Other duties include giving receipts for donations, making referrals and doing light clerical work.

For more information on any of these volunteering opportunities, call Dee Call of the Burbank RSVP Program at (818) 953-9503.

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The Autry Museum of Western Heritage needs volunteer tour guides. The 1995-96 tour guide class begins in September. Those who take the class will meet curators, learn about the museum’s artifacts and take a comprehensive Old West history course. Guest scholars and museum staff will offer materials from many specialty areas of Old West history. The Autry Museum of Western Heritage is in Griffith Park at 4700 Western Heritage Way, next to the Los Angeles Zoo. For more information, call Betty Shermer at (213) 667-2000, Ext. 242.

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Wise Senior Services, a nonprofit organization serving older adults, is seeking volunteers to act as ombudsmen for people in nursing homes and other facilities.

“The Long Term Care Ombudsman program is dependent on the strength of its volunteer force,” said Estelle Harris, recruiter and training coordinator for Wise Senior Services.

Ombudsmen work with seniors to help them resolve problems of abuse, resident rights, medical care, dietary concerns and physical environment. After completing a training program, volunteers receive certification from the state Department of Aging. They are then assigned to facilities in their communities.

Volunteers are now being recruited for fall training. For information, call Harris at (800) 344-9473 or (310) 394-9871.