These local non-profit organizations can use your help.

Is your non-profit organization looking for volunteers? Email Give@desertsun.com. The entries can be edited to save space.

Due to space reasons, the printed version of this article may be cut off. For a complete list of volunteer opportunities, please visit desertsun.com/life/desert-scene.

AAP-Food Samaritan (AAP)

Look for volunteers (18 years or older) to assist with management and activity-related tasks. We need greeters, auction assistants, etc. Computer proficiency is helpful, but not essential for all tasks. Please call (760) 325-8481 or send an email to jpoutre@aapfoodsamaritans.org to contact Jim Poutre.

The Alzheimer's Association is an organization authorized by volunteers. It is always looking for new people to join and train, and have the opportunity to match the individual's specific interests or professional fields, including: community education, office management, marketing and communication, Walk and Gala committees, and advisory committees. Volunteers are also needed to help caregivers and their loved ones’ social participation programs. For more information, please call (760) 996-0006.

Our weekly social interaction program requires volunteers who are enthusiastic about serving Alzheimer's and dementia patients and their care partners. Other positions include assisting in professional education and public outreach programs and special events. Provide special training for those interested in becoming a support group coordinator. Contact (760) 776-3100 to apply. 42600 Cook Street, St. 134, Palm Desert.

American Red Cross-Prepare, Respond and Recover

Seek volunteers to help your neighbors prepare, respond to and recover from disasters and emergencies such as home fires, wildfires, floods, earthquakes, etc. Volunteer opportunities can match a wide range of interests and time commitments. Start the online application at redcross.org/volunteer.

Looking for volunteers who want to change the lives of school children, the elderly and the military in our communities. We are an all-volunteer non-profit organization that has been serving the Coachella Valley since 1973. Between 2020 and 2021, our dedicated members volunteered for more than 9,000 hours during the pandemic and affected the lives of more than 10,000 locals through our charity program. We dress 3,000-4,000 schoolchildren each year, provide entertainment for seniors living in nursing homes, provide performing arts scholarships to high school students, and hold baby showers for new mothers at 29 Palms Marine Base. For more information, please contact membership@alcoachellavalley.org or call (949) 848-0084.

Citizens patrolling the Palm Desert

Want to safely assist Palm Desert first responders and give some very flexible time to keep our city clean, safe and friendly to residents and tourists? Looking for men and women who are 18 years of age or older becomes extra eyes and ears for the city and the sheriff's department. After training, your volunteer time and day are very flexible, with uniforms, vehicles and communication equipment readily available. We have 30 members who are strong and growing. No matter where you live, Palm Desert will thank its volunteers. For more information, please call (760) 862-9848 to leave a message.

Committed to helping cats in need, we socialize rescued kittens and re-socialize abandoned and stray cats. We neuter, vaccinate, provide medical services and provide quality care to sick and injured cats until we find a home full of love. We also provide food for wild cats every day. We need volunteers to raise kittens (provide all supplies), feed wild cats, assist in providing attention and care to cats waiting to return home forever, help trap neutral return to the wild program and assist in marketing and fundraising efforts. Contact chris@cvcatclub. org or call (760) 578-8700.

Seek volunteers 18 years of age or older to welcome, offer, guest service, administration, marketing, set construction, technicians, clothing, development, and community ambassadors. Contact Alexander Rosales (760) 296-2966, ext. 119 Or send an email to arosales@cvrep.org.

Coachella Valley Medical Volunteer

Based on experience and training, look for bilingual Spanish volunteers for medical office placement, providing patient care, medical translation, reception and data entry. Call now and join our team to provide care to uninsured residents in the Coachella Valley. Call Mica (760) 342-4414 or send an email to mica.mendez@cvvim.org. Apply online at cvvim.org.

Commission on Aging-Southern California

Change the life of the elderly. The Aging Committee is looking for qualified candidates to become long-term care inspectors. Our inspectors are advocates for the rights of residents of nursing homes, homestay and nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. We need inspectors who are proficient in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Persian and English. Volunteers will receive training. To apply, please call (833) 772-6624 or contact Anita Johnson at ajohnson@ombirs.org. For more information, please visit coasc.org.

Since the establishment of DAP Health, volunteers have been the lifeblood of many of our projects; services; events; especially our Revivals stores in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert and Indio. Volunteers are needed for reception desks, special events, customer health services, assembling safety supplies, and rejuvenation. Time commitment: at least four hours a week. Please contact Larry Naishtut at lnaishtut@daphealth.org for information about DAP Health's voluntary services, and contact Marice Lerner at mlerner@daphealth.org for information about Revivals Stores' volunteer services.

Volunteer drivers are required. Must have a valid California driver’s license and have not violated or suspended the driver’s license in the past three years. Must be able to assist the customer in getting in and out of the vehicle, including pushing the wheelchair, providing support when transferring the customer from the wheelchair or walker to the vehicle, and lifting 25 pounds without assistance. You must be willing to accept background checks and drug tests before volunteering. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid certification. We may provide funding for these certificates. Call (760) 422-5504.

Look for volunteers to act as wardrobe "stylists", work with clients, prepare them for job interviews, sort out donations received, sales assistants in our boutiques, and resume writers/employment mentors. Contact Johnny Anderson (760) 776-9975 or janderson@bfcloset.org.

Find volunteers for the Desert Rose Association’s annual performance on Saturday, November 13th to set up and remove rose performance tables, containers, and signs, and assist the judges and help place entries on the exhibition site. Please call (760) 340-3802.

Dezart Performs needs volunteers. This is one of the premier theater companies in Coachella Valley. Positions include guidance, job box office, and concessions. Please fill out the volunteer application form at dezartperforms.org/volunteer-opportunities.

Looking for volunteers to help our Palm Desert thrift store. Participate in an average of 10 hours of volunteer activities per week and you can enjoy a 50% discount on all products in the store. Call (888) 336-8322 or send an email to shannon@elderloveusa.org.

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of hungry people in the desert remains at a record level. FIND is a regional food bank in the desert. It needs volunteers to help feed every family and individual experiencing food insecurity. We welcome volunteers 18 years and older to sort and pack food in our warehouse or distribute food in our drive-through distribution center. You can coordinate a special youth volunteer day for a group of 14 to 17 year olds to help in our warehouse. Contact Erin Lucas, Volunteer Project Manager, at (760) 775-3663 ext. 123.

Desert guide dog

Those who need volunteers to raise dogs. Seek individuals and/or families over 18 to raise our puppies. As a puppy breeder, your job is to help dogs understand the world and interact with humans in various situations. Puppies will stay in your home until they are 18 to 24 months old. The desert guide dog will be with you throughout the journey, providing face-to-face group training sessions, puppy breeder outings and ongoing support. When puppies grow up to match their humans-that's when you change someone's life. Visit gddca.org, send an email to puppyraisers@gddca.org or contact Annika Collister (760) 329-6257. 

Desert Jewish Family Service

Volunteers seeking medical transportation assistance for seniors of high school and above (more than five vacancies), office assistance (five vacancies), and technical project assistance (more than three vacancies). Contact Julie Hirsh (760) 325-4088 extension. 103, jhhirsh@jfsdesert.org.

Receptionists, food delivery drivers on wheels, administrative support, special projects and more! The Joslyn Center is looking for important supporters to assist in the daily operations of various departments to have a positive impact on the lives of local senior citizens. If this sounds like you, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Judy Sterling at (760) 340-3220 extension. 103 or judys@joslyncenter.org.

Volunteers over 18 years of age are sought to assist blood donors in the canteen and drivers over 21 years of age to deliver life-saving blood products to local hospitals after donating blood. LifeStream has two locations in the desert, La Quinta and Rancho Mirage. Contact Barbara (760) 777-8844, ext. 265 or hamerba@lstream.org.

Living Desert Zoo and Garden

Look for volunteers to play a variety of unique roles throughout the zoo. Volunteers have been trained to interact with guests of all ages, interpret the zoo’s flora and fauna, and inspire guests to take protective actions. Visit livingdesert.org/support/volunteer for more information or call Justin Carmichael at (760) 346-5694 extension. 2503 or via jcarmichael@livingdesert.org.

The Mizell Center seeks dedicated, compassionate and resourceful volunteers with different backgrounds, experiences and skills to provide wheel meals, bingo games, information and recommendation receptionists, and resale shop cashiers. For more than 45 years, Mizell has been providing programs and services for seniors in the Greater Palm Springs area. Register as a volunteer and join us to provide our diverse life affirmation plans and service roster. For more information, please contact Ector at ectors@mizell.org or (760) 323-5689, extension. 110. Volunteers must provide proof of vaccination.

Look for volunteers over 16 to assist with our annual holiday event, Gingerbread Alley! Activities include decorative paintings, cookie decoration, performances, etc. Please contact Ivanna at ivanna@oldtownartisanstudios.org, or call our front desk at (760) 777-1444. The Old Town Artisan Workshop is located at 78-046 Calle Barcelona, ​​La Quinta.

We are looking for women who can devote 6 to 8 hours a month during class hours from October to May to mentor 8th to 12th grade girls in Coachella Valley schools. We provide training. The instructor must provide proof of COVID vaccination. For more information, please contact Peggy Mengel at pmengel@jfkfoundation.org.

Want to change the lives of animals? Become a volunteer at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. We need volunteers to complete the following tasks: pet boarding, Village Fest booth attendant, customer service concierge and administrative assistant, kitten and cat care, cat training, dog walking, laundry and kitchen. If you are interested, please complete the volunteer application at psanimalshelter.org/support/volunteer or send an email to volunteer@psanimalshelter.org.

Looking for volunteers to help our horses and children with special needs. Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8:45 am to noon. Pegasus is located in the Palm Desert next to Cook Street and I-10, and provides animal therapy for disabled children. We need and hope for your help! Call Erika (760) 772-3057 or email info@pegasusridingacademy.org for more information.

Read the volunteer program with me

Read With Me is a 16-year-old non-profit organization that has successfully helped local children from low-income and limited English-speaking families develop their skills in reading, understanding and speaking English. We are accepting new and returning part-time and full-time volunteers to help tutor these children through Zoom or on campus (if fully vaccinated). For more information or to obtain an application for this rewarded volunteer opportunity, please visit readwithmevolunteers.com.

Uncle McDonald’s House Inland Empire

Volunteers are needed for the 18th Annual Charity Golf Championship held at Morongo Golf Club on Friday, November 5th. There are several volunteers working in shifts. Please call (909) 747-1275 or contact Volunteer Coordinator Allie Ceroni at aceroni@rmhcsc.org.

Transgender Health Center

The Transgender Health and Wellness Centre provides healthcare and social services to transgender, gender irregular and intersex people in the Inland Empire. We also work with families to help them create a good environment so that LGBTQ+ youth can reach their full potential. Providing us with voluntary services directly affects and improves lives. Call (760) 202-4308 to visit trans.health or send an email to info@trans.health.

The association’s old school building museum needs volunteers to welcome visitors, conduct exhibition visits as required, and assist in the purchase of gift shops. Volunteering one afternoon a month will be of great help. Volunteers work in pairs, so you don't need to be a member to help. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. Volunteer assistance is also needed for behind-the-scenes activities, such as office assistance, visitor registration during the event, and venue maintenance. Most of the behind-the-scenes activities took place on Wednesday morning. 6760 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms. If you love history, love the area or just want to get out of your home, please call (760) 367-2366 or send an email to volunteer@29palmshistorical.org.