Do you know a youth group looking for funding for a community service project? The 4-H Youth As Resources (4-H YAR) offers grants available to a maximum of $1,000 for any youth group, or individual, in Pinellas County with members up to age 18 who want to help their community.
Some examples of community service programs are assisting the homeless by preparing meals, holding antidrug rallies, designing and planting gardens, or hosting youth rallies. The possibilities are endless as long as the projects are youth initiated and youth led. Free grant writing workshops are available. Applications are due by July 1 and can be downloaded at: http://coop.co.pinellas.fl.us/yar/yarweb.htm
For more information, call Mary Barnhart at 582-2103.
Group plans exchanges with two countries
The Friendship Force of the Florida Suncoast is planning cultural exchanges with fellow clubs in Ghana in September and Costa Rica in October. During the exchanges, visiting club members stay in the homes of local families for a week. The club arranges for activities such as a welcoming banquet, picnics, visits to historical sites and Busch Gardens. The club is looking for hosts for about 15 visiting ambassadors for each exchange. Friendship Force has more than 350 clubs worldwide with more than 40,000 members. For more information, call (727) 785-2342.
Clearwater Free Clinic offers treatment for kids
CLEARWATER - A pediatrician and a family practice nurse practitioner are available to treat children from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays at the Clearwater Free Clinic.
The clinic provides this service for children, from infancy to age 18, who are not covered by private health insurance or government assisted programs. The clinic's nurse practitioner will see children from ages 5 to 18 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the clinic. All children must be with a parent or legal guardian. New pediatric patients must have their birth certificates.
The clinic is at 707 N Fort Harrison Ave. For appointments, call 447-3041.
Big Brothers Big Sisters seek mentors for program
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Pinellas County is looking for mentors to participate in their school-based mentoring program to help children improve their reading, literacy and social skills. Sites for the upcoming school year include after-school programs at Belleair, Palm Harbor, Sutherland and Frontier elementary schools. If you are 16 or older, have a valid driver's license for a background check only and would like to mentor a child for one hour a week, call 518-8860 or visit www.bbbspc.org
Volunteers needed to mentor children
Do you have a few hours a week to spend reading, fishing or visiting a park with a child? Gulf Coast Community Care needs volunteers for its Adults Mentoring Children program.
Volunteers are matched with children who need adult companionship and positive role models. Many of the children are from poor, single-parent households or have been placed with a relative due to neglect or abuse. Volunteers are given training and support for their work with the children.
To volunteer and for information, call Gulf Coast Community Care's Children's Services at 538-7460, exts. 3192, 3013 or 3031.
Palm Harbor Community Chorus seeks members
The Palm Harbor Community Chorus is looking for new members. The chorus meets every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at Global Family Fellowship Church, 2289 N Hercules Ave., Clearwater. The group is currently rehearsing for its next show, "Puttin' on the Ritz." There are no dues and no auditions to join. For information, call Nancy Whitmer at 781-4424.
Learn about volunteering for hospice at orientation
The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast offers orientation classes for people interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities. The hospice also has a special program that enables high school students to make hospice volunteering a part of their educational experience.
Hospice services include end-of-life medical care, emotional counseling and spiritual support. To learn more about hospice volunteering, call Kathy Roble, director of volunteer services, at 586-4432.
New singers welcome to senior kitchen band
LARGO - The Largo Senior Kitchen Band, which performs show tunes and popular songs from the past, always has room for new singers. No auditions are necessary. Rehearsals are at 1:30 p.m. Mondays at the Largo Community Center, 65 Fourth St. NW. For information, call Ralph Harper at 581-2253 or the center at 518-3131.
Palm Harbor Library hosts discussion groups
The Palm Harbor Library hosts a history discussion group and a science fiction discussion group. For information or to be a guest speaker, call Carolyn Burke at 538-2299. The Palm Harbor Library is at 2330 Nebraska Ave.
Monthly courses teach boating skills, safety
CLEARWATER - The Coast Guard Auxiliary sponsors monthly boating skills and boating safety courses at Clearwater Community Sailing Center, 1001 Gulf Blvd., Sand Key, Clearwater.
Sonny LaRosa and America's Youngest Jazz Band is accepting musicians age 12 and younger to play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, piano, guitar or bass and to sing. Beginners will be considered. For information, call 725-1788.
Italian-American Club offers dinner dances
CLEARWATER - The Italian-American Club of Greater Clearwater, 200 McMullen-Booth Road, has a pasta dinner and dancing every Tuesday. Dinner at the club is at 5:30 p.m., followed by dancing until 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for members and $8 for nonmembers. The club also puts on dinner-dances from 5:30 to 11 p.m. every other Saturday. For information, call 791-8698 or go to the club's Web page at www.iacgc.freewebspace.com
