Community Corner
16 Places in Monrovia to Volunteer for the Holidays
The holidays bring out the giving spirit in people and Monrovia has a host of opportunities to give back to the community.
Wouldn't it be nice if giving was a year round occupation, not an obligation for November and December?
Most organizations that need help this time of year need it for the other ten months as well. Now, however, is a good time to start and who knows--the experience might just be so rewarding that it becomes a regular part of life.
Opportunities to help abound in Monrovia. The obvious place to look is local churches. If this isn't of interest, there are plenty of other choices.
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"YMCA has the whole gamut of opportunities," Adrian Varajas of the said. "Every age and skill level can find something."
"We have 'Homework Heros, Family Fun Nights, and Parent Nights Out," added Angie Lopez, also of the YMCA. "Our most pressing needs are for coaches in our youth programs. This is a year-round need."
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Another of Monrovia's most prominent charitable organizations is the , which maintains one of the areas largest food banks and is always in need of donations and help.
Naturally, all of these groups need money, so if time is an issue, consider giving financial support in any amount you are comfortable with.
In addition, here is a list of volunteer opportunities with local groups that can always need the help of Monrovians:
1. American Cancer Society: Education and awareness volunteers, patient service programs, advocacy, community events, administrative opportunities, online volunteering.
2. Boys and Girls Club of the Foothills - Needed: bus drivers (must have a CA Class B license with passenger endorsement), tutor and homework helpers, coaches (basketball, flag football, soccer), computer instructor, trips and tours aides, food handler, kitchen aide, fund development aide, special event aide, guest speakers, public relations aide.
3. Boy Scouts of America - Leaders, training needed.
4. American Red Cross - San Gabriel Pomona Valley Chapter - Blood donations always needed.
5. - Work with youth, sports teams, homework tutors, family nights, day care.
6. Encompass - Office volunteers, mentors, facilitators.
7. Friends of the Monrovia Library - Library volunteer.
8. - Help with the annual food drive at the Arboretum from Dec. 18 to Dec. 21, general help maintaining the food bank.
9. - Leaders, contact for specifics.
10. - Help year round in planning arts events, helping promote the arts in Monrovia and in schools, help with October Art Fair and Summer Art Walks. Need not be an artist!
11. Monrovia Historic Preservation Group - Docents at , help with annual home tour.
12. - Volunteers for Senior Telephone Reassurance program. Also, SAFS has a wish list of holiday donation items they need: laser printers, gift cards to Toys 'R' Us and other toy stores to help supply a new playroom for children in treatment, commercial-grade vacuum cleaners (Orecks are preferred), paper shredder, gift cards to office supplies stores, desktop computers, backpack vacuums, hand trucks/dollies, gasoline-powered hedge trimmers, kitchen paper goods.
Contact the following organizations for specific volunteer opportunities:
