Transcript Briefs

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Aug 7, 2008 | by Anonymous

Sessions are scheduled for Sept. 24 through Oct. 30. Emergency personnel will teach basic fire safety, disaster preparedness, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, CERT organization and disaster psychology. For additional information or to sign up for CERT training, call 925-603-5933.

VFW scholarships open to students

Students and teachers are invited to participate in scholarship programs offered by the VFW.

Patriot's Pen Essay is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades six through eight an opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy.

Contestants write a 300- to 400-word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. This year's theme is "Why America's Veterans Should be Honored."

The Voice of Democracy scholarship program is an audio essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12. The program is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and is designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three- to five-minute essay based on the theme, "Service and Sacrifice by America's Veterans Benefit Today's Youth by "..."

A third program offered is the Teacher Award for grades kindergarten through 12. Nominations can be submitted by fellow teachers, supervisors, or other interested individuals.

For additional information, contact the Lt. Jerry Novakovich, Post 1525, P.O. Box 79, Clayton, CA 94517-0079, or call Commander Pete Loechner, at 925-255-3449.

Host families and community representatives needed

Academic Foundation for International Cultural Exchange is looking for individuals to work as community representatives. Community representatives find host families and work with students during the school year. Individuals must enjoy working with teenagers and have good communication skills.

Local host families are also needed to host a foreign exchange students. Students are between 15 and 18 years old and all speak English. Students come with their own spending money and medical insurance.

For information on becoming a host family or a community representative, call Anne Ring at 866-462-3423 or visit www.afice.org.

Volunteers sought for Anna's Program

Anna's Program, a specialized program of Hospice of the East Bay, is seeking volunteers to provide in-home companionship and practical support for women with recurrent breast cancer. Women served reside in Central or East County.

To apply for free training, call Hospice of the East Bay at 925- 887-5678 and ask for the volunteer department, or e-mail volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.

Volunteers needed to prep for estate sales

Diablo Appraisal and Estate Sales, a service of Hospice of the East Bay, is seeking volunteers to help prepare for and staff estate sales.

Volunteers sort through household items and professionals do the pricing and handle the sales. Volunteers receive on-the-job training and work according to their schedule. Prior experience is not needed.

Diablo Appraisal and Estate Sales was established in 1999 for families requesting help selling household items. Funds generated from the sale go to Hospice of the East Bay programs and services. For information, call Lamont Campbell at 925-766-5066.