St. Paul's PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) is holding a coat drive from Sept. 1-Oct. 1, 2010 to help ensure that no senior goes without warm clothing this winter. Items needed are new or gently used coats, scarves, sweaters and winter socks. Drop off Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm at 111 Elm St., San Diego. Contact Kourtney Schrock, 619-677-3800.

Promises2Kids, also known as the Polinsky Children's Center Foundation, is hosting a collection effort for school supplies for San Diego's foster kids and teens.  They are collecting backpacks, flashdrives and much more. The items are distributed through local foster care and children's agencies to reach children in need. Aug. 2-23. For a wish list of items or a location in your community where you can make a donation, visit www.promises2kids.org. To host a collection site or to volunteer, contact Laurie Spears at 858-427-1112.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Help students improve their reading strategies and comprehension skills. Volunteer an hour a week at your local elementary school. Free training provided by the San Diego County Office of Education, 6401 Linda Vista Rd., Room 301. Upcoming training dates are August 18 & September 14, 9 am-noon. 1-800-711-READ. www.sdcoe.net/lret/la/ear/.

"ROOM TO RUN" DOG PARK APPRECIATION PROJECT 

This nationwide effort by The Nutro Company seeks to enhance and revitalize dog parks in 30 cities across the U.S. and Canada. Give back to your community by participating in a volunteer event at Ann D. L'Heureux Memorial Dog Park on June 19, 8 am-noon. Plant shrubs, paint fences and clean the park. Carlsbad Village Dr. East of El Camino Real, Carlsbad. http://www.thenutrocompany.com/about-us/news-details.aspx?Id=1916.

ADVOCATES FOR CLASSICAL MUSIC

Join this nonprofit organization that trains docents to bring an appreciation of classical music into the classrooms of local school children. Contact Alan Des Roches at 619-269-2243 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . www.advocatesforclassicalmusic.org.

BEACH CLEANUPS IN JUNE

Be part of these monthly cleanups throughout the county which aim to remove littered items that plague San Diego’s coastline before they wash into the ocean. This month’s cleanups are in Oceanside’s Buccaneer Beach on June 12 and Pacific Beach’s Crystal Pier on June 26. For details, visit www.sdcoastkeeper.org or www.surfridersd.org.

CLOTHING DRIVE FOR FOSTER KIDS 

Sleep Train is holding its annual clothing drive that will benefit thousands of foster children in California. Drop off your donation of new clothing items such as shirts, dresses, pants, shorts, onesies and socks at any Sleep Train store. Through July 11. For locations, visit www.sleeptrain.com or call 800-378-BEDS. 

VOICES FOR CHILDREN

Become a child advocate and make a lasting difference in the life of a foster child. Much more than just a mentor, you can give hope to a child who has none. Call Voices for Children at 858-569-2019 or visit www.speakupnow.org. 

More than Meals:
Volunteers bring caring and friendship

For parents wanting to involve children of all ages in community service, look to Meals-on-Wheels. This organization’s mission is “to support the independence and well-being of seniors” through their meal-delivery program.

While good nutrition for the elderly is one aspect of this program, the volunteers who deliver meals give nourishment of a different kind. A Meals-on-Wheels volunteer often is the only person a senior encounters all day.

“When children participate, they make a huge difference in the lives of seniors,” says Debbie Case, executive director, Meals-on-Wheels of Greater San Diego. “Kids make them perk up, smile, laugh and tell stories.”

Kids who participate in meal deliveries benefit from the experience, too. They gain new respect for the elderly and learn the importance of helping others. 

Get Involved!

At a minimum, Meals-on-Wheels requires 135 meal delivery volunteers daily. Volunteers choose one or more days Monday through Saturday to deliver meals using their own automobile. Children are welcome to volunteer as long as they are accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. www.meals-on-wheels.org/volunteer

Adopt a Route

Groups of eight or more individuals from a company or organization can adopt a route. By sharing the weekly responsibility for the route with others, individuals typically deliver meals once a month. www.meals-on-wheels.org/aboutus/partners.php

We Care Packages

If you don’t have time to deliver meals on a regular basis, make “We Care Packages” at home with your family. Seniors are given care packages filled with personal items for birthdays and holidays. Your children will enjoy choosing gifts and creating a cheerful note to tuck inside. www.meals-on-wheels.org/We Care Package Guidelines-2007.pdf

Speakers’ Bureau Volunteer

Help get the word out. If your talent is public speaking, consider making presentations to community groups to garner support for Meals-on-Wheels. Speakers will receive training, materials and resources. www.meals-on-wheels.org/volunteer

Donate

The need in the community is great, and meals are subsidized by the Meals-on-Wheels organization. Help seniors stay independent, and donate today. www.meals-on-wheels.org/donate

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Volunteers Spotlight on the Keshav Family

The Keshav Family began volunteering for Meals-on-Wheels in 2001, when daughters Meera and Suhani were 6 and 4. They delivered meals in South Carlsbad and Encinitas, and now have a route in the Solana Beach area. Read on to discover why the program is a win-win for the Keshavs and the senior citizens they meet.

Why did you want to volunteer together as a family?

Dr. Rohit Keshav, father
I wanted my daughters to participate in community service at a young age so they would continue volunteering as they grew older. Resh and I like to take the girls when delivering because the elderly like talking to them and showing them photos. The seniors get a breath of fresh air.
It’s also one of those rare times when we can do something for complete strangers without expecting anything at all in return.

Describe a significant moment during your volunteer experience.

Resh, mother
Most of the people we serve live in low-income communities. A big shock to my girls was delivering meals to a house around the corner from our own. The man was connected to an oxygen tank and his wife was in a wheelchair. My daughters learned that neediness and loneliness happen everywhere.

Why do you like volunteering for Meals-on-Wheels?

Suhani, 11
I like meeting all the people we serve and making them happy. Mr. Ennis makes me laugh with his jokes and Donald Duck voice. He also shows us pictures and tells us stories about playing soccer. Serving Meals-on-Wheels makes me feel like a different person from home or school.

Meera, 13
One woman on our route, Miss Dorothy, is always working on a new, complicated puzzle. I really admire that. Even when she isn’t feeling well, she greets us and asks what we’ve been doing. We care about her, but she cares about us, too.

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By the Numbers in San Diego County

• One meal preparation center cooks meals for seven vans to deliver meals to 19 drop zones where 135 volunteers deliver meals on 95 routes to 1,000 senior citizens everyday.

• 1,728 people are active volunteers.

• Six seniors over the age of 100 live independently.

• Five volunteers over the age of 90 deliver meals to the needy.

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Ronni Rowland is a freelance writer and the mother of two.