Holiday Options for Volunteers

Orange County residents wishing to volunteer their time on Thanksgiving Day will have plenty of opportunity to do so. In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, however, they may be competing for spots.

“We’ve received more phone calls from people looking for things to do,” said Cathy Mizejewskil, assistant executive director of the YWCA of Central Orange County. Offers of help in cooking and distributing the annual Thanksgiving meal are up 20%, she said.

“I think the [attacks] brought volunteerism more public attention. It’s made people think a little more about how good they have it and what they can contribute to those who don’t have it as good.”

At Costa Mesa’s Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter, staff member Lillian Magee said the agency expects to serve as many as 100 Thanksgiving meals, but some volunteers will most likely be turned away. “There’s only so much space in the kitchen,” she said, “so we will suggest other places for them to work.”

Here are some possibilities:

Anaheim

Spirit Life Worship Center, 121 W. Cypress St. (714) 535-2446. Meal from noon to 3 p.m.

La Casa Garcia Restaurant, 531 W. Chapman Ave. (714) 740-1108. Meal from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 5340 E. La Palma Ave. (714) 777-4777. Meal at noon.

Laguna Beach

Friendship Shelter, Bluebird Park and Bluebird Canyon Drive and Cress Street. (949) 494-6928. Potluck at noon.

Orange

Mary’s Kitchen, 517 W. Struck Ave. (714) 538-0513. Continental breakfast at 9 a.m., dinner at 1 p.m.

Placentia

Placentia Presbyterian Church, 849 Bradford Ave. (714) 528-1438. Volunteers needed to serve and clean up after Thanksgiving meal, which will be offered at 6 p.m.

Santa Ana

Southwest Community Center, 1601 W. 2nd St. (714) 547-4073. Meal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Rescue Mission, 1901 W. Walnut Ave. (714) 258-4450. Meal at 10 a.m.

Veterans Charities of Orange County, 201 S. Sullivan St. (714) 547-0615. Meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Stanton

Harry’s Place Cafe, 11440 Western Ave. (714) 891-7499. Meal from noon to 6 p.m.

Tustin

Calvary Chapel Tustin, 330 W. 6th St. (714) 832-0776. Meal from noon to 2 p.m.

Main Place Christian Fellowship, 13841 Red Hill Ave. (714) 505-1734. Thanksgiving breakfast and holiday food basket available from 8 a.m. to noon.