The Bard says... just do it 

Volunteering isn’t very artful—or is it? Spread the word on these volunteer and fundraising opportunities in the arts community and beyond.

The 2009 Central Coast Shakespeare Festival is back and will take place at River Oaks Hot Springs in Paso Robles starting July 10. The festival needs donations. Send checks via U.S. mail to_ P.O. Box 175, _San Luis Obispo, CA, 93406. Info: 546-4224.

The San Luis Symphony is looking for volunteer office assistance to answer phones, do computer data entry and bulk mailings, and other tasks as necessary. 

Sinsheimer Elementary School needs your help with their after-school homework club. Laguna Middle School also needs volunteer assistance. Call for details.

Del Mar Elementary School in Morro Bay has many volunteer opportunities for those who like to work with children. Assistance with a lunchtime arts and crafts program, after-school homework club, and classroom materials preparation are among the tasks to be done—pick the one that best suits your interests.

A computer-savvy volunteer is needed to assist a Housing Commission member to access the Internet and research housing-related issues.

The Santa Margarita Friends of the Library-sponsored bookstore needs volunteers for 3-hour shifts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

The North County Humane Society needs many volunteers to assist with their Adopt-A-Pet and Shop-for-the-Shelter programs, as well as with the Templeton Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Transitional Food and Shelter, Inc. provides 24-hour, temporary shelter to fragile, disabled homeless needing bed rest and seeks volunteers for a number of positions including Special Events Coordinator, and more.

Point San Luis Lighthouse, restored and maintained by a nonprofit group called the Point San Luis Lighthouse Keepers, has many volunteer opportunities available. Painters, general handypersons, gardeners, carpenters, Class B licensed drivers, docents, housekeepers, storekeepers, and data entry operators are needed.

The Nipomo Food Pantry, a new much-needed food distribution organization, needs help.  

Many volunteer opportunities exist at Arroyo Grande Care Center.  Weekend volunteers are needed to run the front desk and answer phones, help with Bingo on Sundays, or chat one-on-one with elderly residents.

Volunteer receptionists are needed at the South County Service Unit of the Salvation Army to answer phones, assist clients, compile data, and more.

For more information: 544-8740. ∆