VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS

Los Altos Sister Cities
c/o Los Altos City Hall
One North San Antonio Road
947-2700
www.losaltosca.gov

Los Altos has four sister cities - Bendigo, Australia; Syktyvkar, Russia; Shilin, Taiwan and Rustington, England. The sister city program fosters international goodwill within the community. Home hosting is arranged for visitors from sister cities and for travelers going to the sister cities. Travelers must be members of Los Altos Sister Cities, Inc. to be considered for home hosting. Community delegations and cultural exchanges are actively promoted as are high school student exchanges. More students are encouraged to apply.

Bendigo, located 90 miles north of Melbourne, was proclaimed a city in 1855. Its history is largely based on the Australian gold rush, with the Central Deborah Mine located downtown. Today the city has a population of about 95,000 and the economy is based on agriculture, industry, gold mining and tourism.

Syktyvkar, with its population of 250,000, is the capital city of the Komi Republic which is 1% larger in area than California. Syktyvkar is located near the 62nd parallel. The region's economy is primarily based on natural resources such as natural gas, oil and wood products.

A third sister city relationship was established in August, 1992 with Shilin, Taiwan. Shilin is an affluent suburb of Taipei with several universities and museums.

Rustington is our fourth and newest sister city. Located on the south coast of England in West Sussex between Portsmouth and Brighton, Rustington is home to retirees along with young professionals raising families. The population is approximately 13,000. There is a charming old town area complete with thatched roofed houses and lovely gardens.

Sister City relationships are administered by a voluntary nonprofit organization, Los Altos Sister Cities, Inc. Membership is open to everyone interested in the program. Call the number listed above for membership information.

Los Altos Community Foundation
183 Hillview Avenue
Los Altos, CA 94022
650-949-5908
www.losaltoscf.org

The Los Altos Community Foundation (LACF) is dedicated to building community through grant making, managing philanthropic funds, building an endowment, and sponsoring community-building activities in the City of Los Altos, the Town of Los Altos Hills, and surrounding unincorporated areas.

Through charitable contributions and bequests from individuals, families, businesses, and service clubs, LACF supports a variety of community programs, assists local fundraising efforts, and initiates community-building projects in partnership with local organizations to improve the quality of life in our community.

LACF initiatives include Bus Barn Stage Company, Leadership Education Advancement program (LEAD), Los Altos Mediation Program (LAMP), E3 Youth Philanthropy, Community Hope and Sober Events (CHASE), Silicon for Society (computers for underserved youth) and MVLA Community Scholars.

Individual funds can be used to support civic, cultural, educational, health, historical, and recreational activities. By becoming a Member or a Founder or by establishing their own fund in LACF, every resident can be a philanthropist, teach philanthropy to their children, contribute to the vitality of our community, and make a difference for future generations.

Los Altos Senior Center
Hillview Community Center
97 Hillview Avenue
Rooms 10-12
(650) 947-2797
Hours: Monday - Friday (9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
www.losaltosrecreation.org

The Los Altos Senior Center has been a popular gathering place for many of Los Altos’ residents and beyond for over twenty-five years.

Monthly events include super screen movies, speakers, lunches and Birthday Bingo. Bridge play is each week on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with over nine hours of playtime and weekly Bridge lessons are offered year round. The Senior Center Library has hard bound and paperback books; also videos. Other activities include Puti Meditation, Chair Yoga, Shuffleboard, Line Dancing, Ping Pong, Pinochle, Poker, Book Club, Artventures, Bocce Ball and Wii play. Bocce Ball courts are available for rent throughout the year. The Los Altos Senior Center also offers travel for seniors, with one-day and extended distance trips.

Mountain View-Los Altos Adult Education classes take place in rooms adjacent to the Los Altos Senior Center - at Hillview Community Center. Students enjoy class breaks in Room 10, at the Senior Center, where we serve a nice assortment of cookies, tea and coffee- with mention of excellent socialization. Adult Ed offers Tai Chi, French/Spanish, Oil/Acrylic Painting, Japanese Flower Arrangement, Ikebana; Memoir Writing, International Relations. See the MV-LA Adult Ed catalog for information on these and other classes offered.

Resources at the Senior Center: Blood Pressure readings, AARP Tax Assistance, HICAP Insurance Counseling, AARP 55 Alive Mature Driving Classes, Vial of Life, CSA/Community Services Agency Services/counseling for seniors in need and Notary.

Sponsored by the Los Altos Recreation Department, the Los Altos Senior Center has over 100 active volunteers and over 600 active members. The Monthly Spotlight newsletter is available at the Senior Center, or can be mailed to your home for $5 per year. Annual Membership is $26 for Los Altos residents, $40 for non-residents.

Assistance League® of Los Altos
169 State St.
(650) 941-2610
www.costumebank.com

Varied volunteer opportunities are available: (650) 941-4625

For over 50 years Assistance League of Los Altos has maintained and supported its local chapter philanthropies. The current programs are:

• H.O.M.E. (Housing of Medical Emergencies): The 42 unit Flora Lamson Hewlett Apartments at Stanford Medical Center are owned and operated by Assistance League of Los Altos. The one bedroom, fully furnished apartments provide affordable housing for patients and/or family members.
• Operation School Bell®: Backpacks with age appropriate school supplies are provided to children in need through Community Services.
• Foster Care Program: To enrich the lives of foster care youth in partnership with EMQ/FamiliesFirst Foster Care and Adoption Services.
• Hug-A-Bear: Provides teddy bears to trauma victims and patients.
• Costume Bank: The largest costume rental shop on the peninsula, at Third & State Streets, is the chapter’s major fundraiser. Wed-Sat, 11-5, extended hours in Oct.

All donations appreciated. Pick up for large estates available.

VEGA - Volunteers Enriching Government Action
c/o City of Los Altos
One North San Antonio Road
(650) 947-2700
www.losaltosca.gov

VEGA is the city of Los Altos' unique volunteer program. It expands and enhances city services while providing opportunities for residents to be involved in local government. People of all ages and backgrounds volunteer. Some are preparing to reenter the workforce. Student volunteers can gain practical work experience and provide valuable community service. Retired people volunteer to keep active. Newcomers enter the program to get to know their new city better. Professionals volunteer to explore possible career changes. Many people join the city's VEGA volunteer force to contribute to the betterment of the community. Besides giving of themselves, it makes them feel needed and important.

Volunteer opportunities abound in the VEGA program. Jobs run the gamut from professional to clerical. Others perform data entry or do survey compilation and analysis. Jobs are sometimes designed for a volunteer's specific talents and expertise. Please call the telephone number above to explore volunteer opportunities with VEGA.

GreenTown Los Altos
P. O. Box 539, Los Altos 94023
993-1170
www.greentownlosaltos.org

GreenTown Los Altos is a local, volunteer, non-profit environmental organization. Founded in 2007, its mission is to educate and inspire the people of Los Altos and Los Hills to take action that will make our communities more environmentally healthy and vibrant today and for future generations. For more information please visit www.greentownlosaltos.org to join or sign up for an email newsletter and become a fan on Facebook.