CALENDAR

Calendars are published Wednesdays and Saturdays on a space-available basis. Items for the Wednesday edition must be submitted by noon the previous Thursday. Items for the Saturday edition must be submitted by noon the previous Tuesday. Submit items to calendar@reporternewspapers.com.

Calendar Submissions

Calendars are published Wednesdays and Saturdays on a space-available basis. Items for the Wednesday edition must be submitted by noon the previous Thursday. Items for the Saturday edition must be submitted by noon the previous Tuesday. Submit items to calendar@reporternewspapers.com.

Special events

Spring Break at IKEA: 2-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays through April 11. Free activities for children include making plant holders, beading necklaces and decorating picture frames. IKEA, 601 S.W. 41st St., Renton. 425-656-2980 or www.IKEA-USA.com/seattle.

Downtown Renton Spring Clean Event: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 12. Volunteers can join with community members and businesses to make downtown Renton sparkle. Meet at Piazza Park, at the corner of South Third Street and Burnett Avenue South. 425-226-6124.

Foster Kids Shoe Drive: Through April 13. Donors can bring new shoes for foster children to any Sleep Country location. Call for details, directions. 888-887-5337 or www.sleepcountry.com.

Earth Day at IKEA: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. April 19-20. Environmental groups will offer ways to help protect our earth, air, water, plants and animals. Cost: Free. IKEA, 601 S.W. 41st St., Renton. www.ikea-usa.com/Seattle.

2008 annual Job Fair: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 23. Presented by the college’s Student Success Center. Renton Technical College, Cafeteria I-118, 3000 N.E. Fourth St. 425-235-2352, ext. 7785, or miko@RTC.edu.

Pet spaying/neutering: 8 a.m. April 25. Sign in: 6:30 a.m. The Spay Station, a mobile spay and neuter clinic, will offer free or low cost services to pet owners. Microchipping also available. Keppler Feed and Recycling, 16442 Renton-Issaquah Road, Renton. www.pasadosafehaven.org/SPAYSTATION/spay_station.htm.

American Legion pancake breakfast: 7-11 a.m. April 26. Presented by American Legion Post No. 19. Cost: By donation. Proceeds go to assist veterans and active-duty troops. 3224 N.E. 12th St., Renton. 425-271-1439.

Arbor Day/Earth Day Celebration: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 26. Volunteers can help plant trees, shrubs and participate in other beautification projects. Heritage Park, 233 Union Ave. N.E., Renton. 425-430-6600.

Community Garage Sale: 9 a.m-2 p.m. April 26. Come sell your “junk” or hunt for treasures. Cost: Free for shoppers; $10-$25 for booth space. Renton Community Center, 1715 Maple Valley Highway. www.rentonwa.gov.

“Planting Seeds for the Future” Kennydale PTA Auction: 5 p.m. May 3. Event includes prime rib dinner, and silent and live auctions. Cost: $30. Renton Technical College, 3000 N.E. Fourth St., Renton. 206-595-2619 or michellemmcbride@gmail.com.

CROP Hunger Walk: 1:30-4 p.m. May 4. Registration: 1 p.m. Community walk to help the hungry. Route is 6.8 miles along the Cedar River Trail. Sponsored by Renton Ecumenical Association of Churches. Cost: Free with donations of nonperishable food items. Liberty Park shelter, 1101 Bronson Way N., Renton. 425-306-7089, 206-988-1622 or www.cwscrop.org/pacificnorthwest.

IKEA Kids Health and Safety Fair: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. June 7-8. Cost: Free. IKEA, 601 S.W. 41st St., Renton. www.ikea-usa.com/Seattle.

Classes

Sewing classes at Renton Technical College: April 7, spring courses start. College offers several sewing classes including beginning sewing, sewing lab, home machine embroidery, and quilting. Call for details, registration. Renton Technical College, 3000 N.E. Fourth St. 425-235-2352.

REI clinics: 7 p.m. various Wednesdays, including: April 9, “Bike Maintenance”; April 23, “Prep for Rainier”; April 30, Spring Hiking with author Dan Nelson. Cost: Free. 240 Andover Park W., Tukwila. 206-248-1938.

“Mistake Free Job Finding—Key to Quicker Employment” career workshop: 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m. May 21. Career workshop sponsored by Puget Sound Career Development Association. May 21 sessions are free and open to the public. May 22-23 for career development professionals only. Renton Technical College main campus, building C, 3000 N.E. Fourth St. 206-236-5697, terryp@careeradvisorsonline.com or www.pscda.org.

Financial literacy for domestic violence victims: 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through May 27. Class will cover safety and finances, basic banking, budgeting and more. Childcare and transportation available. Cost: Free. Call for details. Held at confidential Southside location. 206-799-6209 or jennifer@ywcaworks.org.

English as a Second Language: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through June 19. Develop and improve English language skills. Cost: Free; registration required. North Highlands Neighborhood Center, 3000 N.E. 16th St., Renton. 206-233-9720 or www.literacyseattle.org.

Faith

Movie Night: 6-8 p.m. April 6. Refreshments provided. All are welcome. Cost: Free. Renton First United Methodist Church, 2201 N.E. Fourth St., Renton. www.gbgm-umc.org/renton1stumc.

Renton Day Women’s Bible Study: 9:25 a.m. Tuesdays. First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 19800 108th Ave. S.E. www.bsfinternational.org.

Health/Fitness

Health screenings: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 5. Free screenings for blood pressure, glaucoma, diabetes, sight and hearing. Presented by the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing. Holiday Inn parking lot, 1 S. Grady Way, Renton. 206-682-8500, ext. 148, or www.nlfoundation.org.

Mobile Mammography Screening: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 19. Open to women age 40 and older. No insurance, no problem. Offered by the YWCA Women’s Health Outreach program. Wal-Mart, 743 Rainier Ave. S., Renton. 206-436-8644.

Yoga classes: 5 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Fridays. Rockin’ Horse Dance Barn, 11820 150th Ave. S.E., Renton. 425-255-9211 or www.learn2dance4fun.com.

Libraries

Fairwood Library, 17009 140th Ave. S.E., Renton. 425-226-0522 or www.kcls.org.

• “You and Me and the ABCs”: 11 a.m. April 7. Build early literacy skills with songs, games and movement.

• Fairwood Afternoon Book Group: 11:30 a.m. April 9. Topic: “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See.

• Books and Bites for Teens: 7 p.m. April 10.

• AARP Tax Assistance: 10 a.m. Fridays, 12:30 p.m. Saturdays and 4 p.m. Mondays through April 14. Free income tax assistance provided by qualified volunteers. Call to register.

• Lively Minds Book Group: 7:30 p.m. April 15. Topic: “The Dead Fish Museum” by Charles D’Ambrosio.

• “Never Bored in Washington”: 7 p.m. April 17. Mark Reeves to present slides and stories of interesting places in Washington.

• Movie—“Land of the Giants”: 1 p.m. April 19. Video relates the colorful history of Snoqualmie Pass.

• “Growing Tomatoes In the Maritime Northwest”: 7 p.m. April 24.

• Poetry Coffeehouse: 7 p.m. April 29. Celebrate poetry moth with coffee, cookies and poetry. Registration required for open-mic time.

• Master Gardeners: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Master gardeners will be on hand to answer questions.

• ESL class: 6:30 p.m. most Mondays and Wednesdays. Registration required; call 253-838-6810.

• Story times: Library offers various story times for newborns to 6-year-olds and foreign language speakers. Call for details.

• Talk Time: 10 a.m. Saturdays. Improve speaking and listening skills in this English conversation group.

Renton Public Library, 100 Mill Ave. S. 425-430-6610. Library events include:

• Story times: 7 p.m. Mondays and 10 a.m. Wednesdays.

Organizations

11th District Democrats: 7 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. The executive board meets on the first Tuesday of the month. Carpenter’s Hall, 231 Burnett Ave. N., Renton. 206-396-1237 or alene@theflutededge.com.

Allied Arts of Renton: 6:30-8 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month. Kohlwes Education Center, 300 S.W. Seventh St., Renton.

Cascade Soccer Club: Board meetings: The fourth Monday of the month. This non-profit organization serves the Fairwood and Greater Renton areas. www.cascadesoccerclub.org, 425-277-1582.

Cedar River Quilters Guild: 6-9 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. All levels of quilters welcome. Salvation Army, 720 S. Tobin St., Renton. 425-271-3671.

Cedar River Ramblers Toastmasters: 6:30-8 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Formerly Tu-Lips Toastmasters. YWCA, 1010 S. Second St., Renton.

Greater Renton Kiwanis Club: 7:27 a.m. Thursdays. Come join the group for fellowship, interesting programs and to find out how to make a difference in the community. Renton Technical College main campus, 3000 N.E. Fourth St., Renton. 425-235-2463 or greaterrentonkiwanis.org.

Kiwanis Club of Renton: 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month; 7:30-8:30 a.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Touchdowns Sports Bar and Grill, 423 Airport Way, Renton. 425-221-2028.

MOMS Club of Renton: Meet for playdates at parks and other locations. New activities daily. Non-profit & non-religious organization provides daytime support for moms and their families, and serves Renton, Tukwila, SeaTac, Burien and Newcastle. www.momsclubofrenton.org, info@momsclubofrenton.org, 425-260-3079.

National Association of Retired and Active Federal Employees, Chapter 1701: 1 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. Renton Senior Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N. RBrown4648@aol.com.

Networking: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesdays. The Renton iTakeTheLead Business to Consumer Networking Breakfast. Plum Delicious, 3212 N.E. Sunset Blvd., Renton. 425-890-8045, www.itakethelead.com.

Newcomers and New Friends of Greater Seattle: The second Wednesday of the month. Lunch meetings held at various locations throughout Puget Sound. Other activities include a fourth Thursday coffee, daytime gourmet, bowling, SoundBites Gadabouts and more. Call for details. 425-775-8608 or www.seattlenewcomers.com.

Order of Eastern Star Tyee Chapter No. 122: 7:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. Renton. St. Andrew’s Masonic Lodge, 505 Williams Ave. S., Renton. 425-227-9766.

Puget Sound Business Professionals: 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Networking group is comprised of highly skilled professionals working together to attain independent business goals. Holiday Inn Select, 1 Grady Way, Renton. www.pugetsoundbusinessprofessionals.blogspot.com.

Renton Historical Society: 5:30 p.m. the last Wednesday of the month. Call to confirm time and location. Renton Historical Museum, 235 Mill Ave. S. 425-255-2330.

Renton/Kent Women’s Connection: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., the third Wednesday of each month. April 16 meeting features “Just the Thing” jeans fashion show and speaker Helen Lescheid. Nursery available with reservation. Cost: $13.75, includes luncheon. No dues or memberships required. Golden Steer Rib ’n Steak House, 23826 104th Ave. S.E. Kent. 425-271-3198.

Renton-Kent Newcomers Club: Luncheon meetings: The second Wednesday of the month. Social club welcomes new residents to the area. Call for details and hobby groups. 425-235-1819 or 253-638-0857.

Renton Laughter Club: 6-6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 1700 Edmonds Ave. N.E., Renton. 425-945-6623 or www.rentonlaughs.com.

Renton LeTip: 7 a.m. Mondays. Business networking group. Denny’s Restaurant, 144 Rainier Ave. S., Renton. 206-226-8864.

Renton Sailing Club: 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month. Kennydale Memorial Hall, 2424 N.E. 27th St., Renton. 425-228-0133, www.rentonsailing.org.

Renton Sons of Italy: 6:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. 505 Williams Ave. S., Renton.

Retired RV owners: Local group of Good Sam RV enthusiasts welcomes new members. Group travels to nearby RV parks a few days a month for sightseeing, games, dinners and fellowship. Monthly meetings take place at the Auburn Library, 1102 Auburn Way S. 253-854-5226 or 253-852-3927.

Rotary Club of Newcastle: 7:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Cost: $10 makeup fee for members; free for visitors. Golf Club at Newcastle, 15500 Six Penny Lane, Newcastle. 425-455-1600.

Rotary Club of Renton: Noon-1:30 p.m. Thursdays. Club members give time, raise funds and enjoy fellowship, while serving local and international needs. Maplewood Golf Course, 4050 Maple Valley Highway, Renton. 425-466-8000, marcie@marciemaxwell.com, or www.rentonrotary.org.

St. Andrew’s Masonic Lodge No. 35 F&AM: 7:45 p.m. the first Saturday of the month. Dinner: 6:30 p.m. All Masons and interested gentlemen are welcome. 505 Williams Ave. S., Renton. 425-227-9766.

Soroptimist International of Renton: Noon-1 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Open to women in all stages of careers. Club supports array of service projects locally, nationally and globally to improve lives of women and girls. Salvation Army center, 720 S. Tobin St., Renton. 425-255-3210 or judyandgene1@comcast.net.

South King County Genealogical Society: 10 a.m. the third Saturday of the month. First Baptist Church of Kent, 11420 S.E. 248th St. 206-391-5547 or www.skcgs.org.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly: 5:30 p.m. Mondays. TOPS group helps members as they take and keep pounds off sensibly. Cost: $24 annual fee, plus $5 monthly dues. Highlands Community Church, room 103, 3031 N.E. 10th St., Renton. 425-226-0473, 425-271-0247, www.tops.org.

Teen MOPS: 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays. Free group for pregnant teenagers and teenage mothers. Childcare available. River of Life Fellowship, 10615 S.E. 216th St., Kent. 253-218-7420.

Toastmasters: 7-8:30 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Come for a fun evening of sharpening your communication skills in a safe environment. First Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 19800 108th Ave. S.E., Renton. 253-859-2842.

The Toast of Valley Toastmaster’s Club: Noon-1 p.m. Thursdays. All are welcome. Valley Medical Center, 400 S. 43rd St., Renton. 425-656-3810 or nancy_eveleth@valleymed.org.

TV Toastmasters: Noon-4 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. Learn how to perform both in front and in back of television cameras. Puget Sound Access, 22412 72nd Ave. S., Building C, Kent. 253-854-1312 or www.tvtoastmasters.org.

Valley Mothers of Multiples Club: 7 p.m. the third Thursday of the month, September-June. Club is a nonprofit organization providing a network of support, resources and social activities for parents or guardians of twins and higher order multiples residing in Renton, Kent, Auburn and surrounding areas. First Christian Church of Kent, 11717 S.E. 240th St. 253-796-0786 or www.valleymothersofmultiplesclub.org.

Valley Newcomers: 11:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of the month. Group meets at area restaurants. Call for details, locations. 253-854-1831.

Washington-Evergreen Chapter International Association of Administrative Professionals: 5:30-8 p.m. April 10. Speaker: Renton police officer will discuss personal safety. Registration requested by April 7. Plum Delicious Family Restaurant, 3212 N.E. Sunset Blvd., Renton. w-e.publicity@lycos.com.

Western Bass Club: 7 p.m. the third Thursday of the month. Kennydale Memorial Hall, 2424 N.E. 27th St., Renton. www.westernbassclub.com.

Public Meetings

Advisory Commission on Diversity: 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. City Hall, Room 511, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton.

Civil Service Commission: 4:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month. Human Resources Training Room on the seventh floor of City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton.

Human Services Advisory Committee: 3 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. Seventh floor council chambers at City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton.

King County Fire District No. 25: 4 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. Commissioner’s meeting. Fire Station No. 16, 12923 156th Ave. S.E., Renton.

Library Board: 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. Renton Public Library, 100 Mill Ave. S.

Municipal Arts Commission: 8 a.m. the first Wednesday of the month. Seventh floor of City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton.

Parks Commission: 4:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month. Various locations, including City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton. 425-430-6600.

Planning Commission: 6 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Council chambers at City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton.

Renton City Council: 7 p.m. the first four Mondays of the month. Seventh floor council chambers at Renton City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way.

Renton Housing Authority: 5 p.m. the third Friday of the month, through June. Monthly commissioners meeting. 2900 N.E. 10th St., Renton.

Renton Non-Motorized Transportation Advisory Committee: 4:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month. Fifth floor of City Hall, Room 511, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton.

Renton School District School Board: 7 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month. Kohlwes Education Center, 300 S.W. Seventh St., Renton.

Senior Citizens Advisory Committee: 10 a.m. the first and third Mondays of the month. Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N.

Sister City Advisory Committee—Cuautla: 10 a.m. the second Friday of the month. Seventh-floor conference center at City Hall, 1055 S. Grady Way, Renton.

Soos Creek and Water District: 4:30 p.m. the first, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month. District Office, 14616 S.E. 192nd St., Renton.

Reunions

Renton High School Class of 58 Reunion: Oct. 25. Spirit of Washington Event Center, 233 Burnett Ave. S., Renton. 425-255-5023 or a.gummere@comcast.net.

Kent-Meridian High School Class of 1968 40th Class Reunion: Sept. 13. Fairwood Golf and County Club, 17070 140th Ave. S.E., Renton. www.reunionsunlimited.com.

West Seattle Indians Class of 1958 50th Year Reunion: June 6-8. All school reunion will be June 6 at the high school. Weekend also includes golf, dinner and farewell brunch at various locations. West Seattle High School, 3000 California Ave. S.W., Seattle. 253-931-1136.

Veterans

Veterans Outreach: 3:15-6:15 p.m. April 15 and May 13. Veterans and their families can get assistance in applying for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs from a Disabled American Veterans Service Officer. Kent Library, 212 Second Ave. N. 253-859-6439.

Cascade Warbirds seeking WWII Vets: May 19-26. WWII bomber air crew and ground crew veterans invited to join the Cascade Warbirds in hosting the B-17 visit to the Museum of Flight in Tukwila. Veterans will greet and share experiences with visitors during the exhibit’s run. Call or e-mail for details. 206-571-1777 or bp15705@q.com.

American Legion and Auxiliary-Renton Fred Hancock Post No. 19 and Auxiliary Unit No. 19: 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month, September through June. 3224 N.E. 12th St., Renton. 425-271-1439.

VFW Panther Lake Post 11329: 7:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month. U.S. Army Reserve Center, 14631 S.E. 192nd St., Renton. 253-631-8151 or 425-254-1459.

VFW Post 9430: 7:30 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Ladies Auxiliary meetings: 7:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of the month. Family Hamburger Night: 6-7:15 p.m. Thursdays (except holidays). 7421 S. 126th St., Seattle. 206-772-9982.

VFW Renton Post 1263: 7:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Ladies’ Auxiliary: 7 p.m. the first Thursday of the month; Men’s Auxiliary: 7 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. VFW provides support to veterans of foreign wars and their families through overseas troop support, volunteer programs, community service, legislative action, charitable donations and research, and helps veterans seeking governmental benefits. Frank R. Vaise Post 1263, 416 Burnett Ave. S., Renton. 425-255-9010 or www.vfw1263.com.

USS Maddox Destroyer Association Reunion: Sept. 3-7. For DD-168, DD-622 and DD-731. Reunion will take place in Oklahoma City, OK. For details, contact Cliff Gillespie at 337-616-8450 or cwgilles45@aol.com.

USS Hollister Destroyer Reunion: Sept. 17-21 in Branson, Mo. For DD-788. For details, contact Nelda Rupp. 503-656-4949 or hnrupp@comcast.net.

82nd Airborne Division Association reunions: Association is seeking veterans from the 82nd Airborne Division to join in conventions and other special events throughout the country. Call or e-mail for details: 937-898-5977 or srgabn@aol.com.

Military reunions: October, 2008, reunion for the former crew of the USS Yancey (AKA-93) in Seattle. For details, contact George Clifton, 708-425-8531 or clifs@ameritech.net. June 24, 2009, reunion for former crewmen from the USS England (DLG/CG-22) in Seattle. For details contact Dennis O’Brien, 714-961-6840 or dennis@ussengland.net. Veterans can find information about upcoming reunions across the country through Military Locator and Reunion Service. Call 828-256-6008 or visit www.mlrsinc.com.

Volunteers

Angel Care Breast Cancer Foundation: Breast cancer survivors needed to provide support for others battling cancer. Must be one year past the end of treatments and have good interpersonal skills. 206-417-3484, 877-417-3484 (toll-free), www.angelcarefoundation.org or angelcare@angelcarefoundation.org.

Green River Community College: College seeks volunteers in a variety of areas: ceramics, basic computing, court reporting and more. Professional experience is not required. Call 253-288-3346 or visit volunteer@greenriver.edu.

Litter Patrol: Once a month, help patrol State Route 900 from Interstate 405. All gear supplied by the Washington State Department of Transportation. 206-351-6796.

Domestic Violence Unit: King County Prosecutor’s Office is seeking volunteers to provide legal advocacy to King County domestic violence victims. Volunteers needed for 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays. 206-296-9700.

CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates is looking for volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children in court. Must be 21 with excellent references. Volunteers must also attend 28 hours of training. Call 206-296-1120, e-mail gal.group@metrokc.gov or visit www.metrokc.gov/kcsc/depcasa.htm.

Dining Program Volunteers: Currently seeking volunteers to help with the Senior Community Dining Program at the Renton Senior Activity Center, 211 Burnett Ave. N. Program hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Hours are negotiable. Food service experience is helpful and a food handler’s permit is required. When obtained the cost of the permit is reimbursed. 425-255-7932.

Family Law CASA of King County: Children’s needs can get lost in the dispute between separating parents. Do you want to advocate for such a child? Volunteer for Family Law CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of King County. 206-748-9700 or www.familylawcasa.com.

Friend to Friend: Volunteers are needed to visit residents in nursing homes, assisted living and retirement homes in the Puget Sound area. Call for details. 888-383-7818 or www.friendtofriendamerica.org.

Help Teach English: Volunteer tutors needed to help new immigrants and refugees learn English. Contact the City of Renton Community Services Department for more information. 425-430-6600.

Highline Hospice: Hospice is recruiting caring and compassionate people interested in supporting terminally ill patients and their families. Volunteers provide patient support and companionship, caregiver respite, bereavement support or office help. Comprehensive training provided. Highline Hospice, 12844 Military Road S., Tukwila. 206-439-9095.

Meals on Wheels: Meal-delivery program has openings for volunteer drivers and co-coordinators at sites throughout King County. Time commitment for drivers averages three hours once a week, with 35-cent reimbursement per mile. Coordinators may work one or two days a week, four to six hours total. 206-448-5767 or www.seniorservices.org.

Multiple Sclerosis Association of King County Volunteers: MSA of King County is looking for people to assist those with MS in maintaining their independence and quality of life. People are needed to assist with water-therapy programs, visit isolated individuals, provide transportation, go shopping, do yard work or other household chores, teach computer skills and more. Volunteers are also needed to assist with an ongoing school-assembly program that educates elementary-school children about coping with the challenges of disabilities. 206-633-2606 or www.msakc.org.

Olive Crest Abused and Neglected Children’s Foundation: Group is looking for dedicated volunteers to join the auxiliary group. Members assist with Foster Family activities, fundraising activities and welcome baskets for children entering new homes. 425-462-1612, ext. 1314, or www.olivecrest.org.

Red Cross Disaster Action Team: American Red Cross is seeking King County volunteers to respond to local disasters. Volunteers must be on-call one week out of six, and will receive free training. 206-726-3566 or www.seattleredcross.org.

Special Transportation Program: Group Health Cooperative needs volunteer drivers to transport frail, elderly members to and from medical appointments in King County. Volunteers use their personal cars, are reimbursed for mileage and determine their own schedules, including when, where and how often they will drive. Volunteers do not need to be Group Health members. 206-326-2800 or e-mail resource.l@ghc.org.

Stitches from the Heart: Volunteers are needed to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, sweaters, hats and booties for babies in need. Items go to hospitals across the country. Patterns available. Donations of yarn or money also appreciated. Call for details. 866-472-6903, stitchfromheart@aol.com or www.StitchesFromTheHeart.org.

Volunteer Chore Services: Volunteers needed to assist with chores for low-income elders and adults with disabilities. Services include shopping, light housekeeping, laundry, cooking and yard work. Program is a service of Catholic Community Services. 206-328-5787 or vc@ccsww.org.

Volunteer Literacy Program: Many people in our community struggle to communicate in the English language because they are new to the country. If you can volunteer three to four hours a week, you can help someone learn to read, write and speak English. Call Highline Community College: 206-878-3710, ext. 3303.