TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Jesus Shack volunteers are needed to help with its Street Teams project from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 26. Street Teams distribute food, clothing and necessities to the less fortunate in Kern County. New volunteers are to report to Jesus Shack, 1326 30th St., Building B, at 10 a.m. for orientation before joining other volunteers for general prayer and team assignments. Call 324-0638 for further information.

Kern Adult Literacy Council will train tutor volunteers at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb.15, at the Council office, 331 18th St., west of Union Avenue, to learn how you can help the more than 202,000 Kern County residents who do not speak English well enough to function in everyday life. Join its English as a Second Language (ESL) program that offers free one-on-one instruction or small class instruction at three levels: beginning, intermediate and advanced. Tutoring sites are located throughout Kern County, so volunteers may not have to travel far to assist. Call 324-3213, if you can help.

Optimal Hospice Care invites you to make a difference in 2011. There are numerous opportunities for compassionate individuals to share their time and heart with Kern County residents affected by terminal illness. Optimal is offering new volunteer orientations from 10 a.m-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 4700 Stockdale Highway, Suite 120, for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer. To reserve your seat, please contact the volunteer department at 716-4000. E-mail rfrankhouser@optimalcares.com for more information.

Garden Pathways asks volunteers to attend a mentoring orientation meeting to explore the possibility of becoming a mentor from 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 900 22nd St. Mentor orientation is the first step in preparing volunteers to be effective mentors, and offers comprehensive core and ongoing training and support to equip volunteers. Call Annette, 633-9133, three days prior to the orientation date to reserve a seat.

National Multiple Sclerosis Society needs volunteers to lend a hand on its MS Service Day Saturday, March 19, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. for those suffering from MS who cannot complete home improvement projects or household chores. Volunteers skilled in yard work, painting, organizing and various handyman chores are asked to call 321-9512 or e-mail christine.grontkowski@nmss.org for an application.

Kern Assistive Technology Center (KATC) is seeking office assistance volunteers to help with filing, auditing of files, organization of the loan library, maintaining of mailing lists, and maintaining equipment in the loan library. Call Aaron, 852-3291, for scheduling information.

California Living Museum (CALM) is looking for volunteers to help keep the gift store ready for visitors. No prior merchandise experience is required to help with stocking, pricing and other duties. Minimum age requirement is 10 years old with an adult. Contact Lana Fain, 871-1822, for more information.

Wildlands Conservancy, Wind Wolves Preserve needs volunteers to help conduct its outdoor education programs held for kindergarten- through high school-age students for five hours per session, from Feb. 14 through June. Opportunities for summer work are also available. Volunteers are responsible for providing a safe and interactive teaching experience to school and youth group children and providing information to visitors. Call Sherryl, 858-1115, or 747-6148 for more information.

Center for Blind and Visually Impaired is seeking volunteers to assist its staff with reader service, client outreach, kitchen assistants, instructional aids, arts and crafts, and facility maintenance. Contact the center between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 322-5234.

Kern County Library is looking for volunteers to shelve books and materials at all branches. Volunteers will sort and organize returned materials and interfile them to appropriate collections, separate and shelve improperly filed materials, and scan materials on shelves to maintain proper organization for easy accessibility by patrons. A commitment of two hours per week is recommended. Call Sherry Gomez, 868-0714, at the Beale Memorial Library in Bakersfield, or contact the branch nearest you to volunteer.

H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection Family Resource Center needs one or more volunteers to assist in its front office/library. Duties may include serving as front desk receptionist during staff meetings, greeting families, answering phones, taking messages, checking out library materials, filing, data input and other light office assistance. Available shifts are the fourth Wednesday of the month 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and every Wednesday from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Call Danielle at 328-9055, ext. 222, for more information.

American Cancer Society would like three to five licensed cosmetologists to participate in its "Look Good Feel Better" program. The program consists of a two-hour, 12-step skin and hair care routine for women undergoing cancer treatment. Classes are held noon-2 p.m. the last Monday of each month at Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center; 10 a.m.-noon the second Monday of each month at Mercy Hospital; and 9-11 a.m. for Spanish-speaking patients the third Monday of each month at the American Cancer Society office. Contact Cassie or Lucy, 327-7827, for more information.

For more volunteer opportunities, call the Volunteer Center of Kern County at 395-9787 or visit Volunteercenter.info. To get included in this list, call the center or enroll via its website by clicking on "organizations register here."