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Jonathan’s Place, in conjunction with Child Abuse Prevention Month, is holding a skydiving fundraiser on Monday, April 14 to “stop the freefall of child abuse”. Several staff members and friends will strap on parachutes and fall out of an airplane to raise money for the more than 420 children that call Jonathan’s Place home each year. Each participant must acquire pledges/donations totaling a minimum of $500 in order to actually get to jump. All proceeds from the jump will go toward the care of the abused and neglected children to which Jonathan’s Place provides a home. Contact Jonathan’s Place at 214.827.9595 for more information.

Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law is offering free one-hour tax consultations for anyone who cannot afford attorney services and is facing an IRS audit, appeal or collection process, involved in innocent spouse relief, or needing to resolve a past due tax matter. To schedule a free consultation, call 214.768.2562 or visit smu.edu/law/taxclinic/. The school’s small business clinic also is providing free legal services to new and existing small businesses and nonprofit organizations that cannot afford to pay legal fees. For more information, call 214.768.4935.

Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas is offering a week-long summer singing camp for students entering fourth- through eighth-grade. No audition is necessary to attend the camp. Two sessions are offered, 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Thanks to a grant from the Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, students enrolled in Dallas ISD schools can attend for free; otherwise, the camp costs $125. Registration forms are available at thechildrenschorus.org. For information, call 214.965.0491.

Lakewood Volunteers in Patrol (VIP) are looking for a few more Lakewood residents to join the program. While on patrol, volunteers observe and report any suspicious behavior to the Dallas Police. The program is non-confrontational in nature. It requires a minimum of two hours a week tailored to each volunteer’s schedule. For information contact Roger Parks at 214.319.2924 or rogparks13@tx.rr.com.

Casa de Vida, a respite care program for caregivers of early onset Alzheimer’s and any other forms of dementia, is offered weekly on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m at NorthPark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central Expressway. It is strictly a social program, with no medications or health care administered. Activities include morning snacks, exercise, bingo, crafts and music. A $10 fee covers the day’s program; application required. Call Ann Anderson at 972.783.8780 or Nick Harper at 214.349.6584 to apply or for information.

The Presby Presenters Toastmasters group meets every Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, 8200 Walnut Hill. The non-profit public speaking club was founded to help members overcome public speaking fears and develop and enhance their leadership skills. Newcomers are welcome. Meeting rooms and lunch plans change weekly; contact Lynda Waters at 214.288.7959 or LyndaWaters@texashealth.org for information.

City Pet Rescue, an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing dogs and cats from area kill shelters, needs foster homes for puppies, dogs, kittens and cats. To give a pet a second chance, e-mail info@citypetrescue.com, or visit citypetrescue.com.

Boys & Girls Club Dallas is looking for alumni to join the BGCDallas Chapter. Alumni meet monthly to brainstorm new and creative ways to contribute to their clubs. For information call Carolyn Jordan at 214.821.2950.

People

The Rynes family from East Dallas recently was named the 2008 March of Dimes March for Babies Dallas Ambassador Family. As the ambassador family, the Ryneses will share their personal story throughout Dallas in the coming months to talk about how the March of Dimes has impacted their lives. Jack and Karen Rynes understand firsthand what it means to have a baby who is born unhealthy; they’ve experienced premature birth twice, and infant mortality twice. Their only son, Brett Rynes, is now 2 years old. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.

Andy Zihlman, Lady Friars head basketball coach at Bishop Lynch High School, recently was honored by the student body at a surprise rally after being named the National High School Coach of the Year by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Zihlman, a 1972 graduate of Bishop Lynch, Zihlman, in in his 27th season with the Friars and recently earned his 700th career win. He also has 12 consecutive state championships under his belt, the most recent won this year when the Lady Friars completed the season at 32-8 by defeating Houston St. Agnes 63-42 in the TAPPS 6A championship game. Zihlman will be honored at the WBCA Awards Luncheon during the WBCA National Convention the first weekend in April, coinciding with the NCAA Final Four. His name will appear on the Coach of the Year plaque located in the WBCA Hall of Fame.

Schools

Several Woodrow Wilson alums from the graduating class of 1954 made a generous and much-needed contribution to the PTA Scholarship Fund at Woodrow Wilson High School. Thanks to the generosity of James Christon, David and P.T. Currin, Frank Doran, Don Hurst, W.G. and Diane Robinson, and John and Joel Ann Withers, several students will be able to continue their education.

The Woodrow Wilson High School PTA granted more than $3,000 recently to fund specific requests from faculty and staff. The money allowed for the purchase of needed stethoscopes for a science class, a DLP projector and a digital camera. However, the school still needs multiple items, which it is hoping to have donated. These items include large trash cans, artificial plants, parts to repair a Minolta copy machine, a projection screen, a working TV and DVD player, and four window shades. For information about donating these items, contact 214.327.0068.

Woodrow Wilson High School graduates are invited to a reunion on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, at the Doubletree Hotel, 8250 North Central Expressway. All classes are invited to attend. The Friday night icebreaker will be from 7 p.m. to midnight, and the Saturday night reunion will be from 6 p.m. to midnight. For information, contact Nelma Epley at 972.771.2052 or nepley1@swbell.net.

An online tutoring service is now being offered on the Dallas Public Library’s website, tailored for students from fourth to 12th grade. The service is free to all DPL library card holders. The service can be accessed by visiting dallaslibrary.org and clicking DASH.

Volunteers

Dallas CASA is seeking volunteers to train as advocates for abused and neglected children. CASA empowers everyday citizens to speak up in court for the best interest of children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Volunteers gather information for the court and work with the child welfare system and others to quickly find a safe, permanent home for each child. For more information or to register for an upcoming information session, call 214.827.9603 ext. 273 or visit dallascasa.org.

Robert E. Lee Elementary’s award-winning garden needs volunteers to help maintain the grounds, from the courtyard butterfly garden to the newly landscaped areas. For information, call 972.749.7400.

Meals on Wheels, a program run by The Visiting Nurses Association, seeks volunteer drivers in our neighborhood. Drivers make weekday deliveries a few mornings a week or month, picking up meals at White Rock Methodist Church, 1450 Oldgate Lane. 214.689.0639.

The Wilkinson Center, an East Dallas non-profit agency, offers a free after-school tutoring and mentoring program, CLIMB (Changing Lives Improving Minds and Bodies) at seven sites. The program runs Mondays through Thursdays from 3-6 p.m.  Share your knowledge and compassion by volunteering as a tutor/mentor. Contact Jane Waters at 214.821.6380, ext. 202 or jane_waters@wilkinsoncenter.org for information.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at the Senior Source is looking for volunteers age 55+ to volunteer with more than 230 non-profit agencies in Dallas and Collin counties. RSVP matches your skills, needs and desires with a volunteer job. Volunteers are generally needed for three hours, one to two days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1215 Skiles. 214.823.5700 or rsvpd@TheSeniorSource.org.

The Child Abuse Prevention Center needs volunteers to work with children of divorcing parents one Saturday morning a month during its Families First seminars. The CAP Center also has opening for volunteers in the Parents Aide Program. Volunteers work in the home with parents and families are risk for child abuse and neglect. Training is provided. 2902 Swiss. Contact Ashly, 214.370.9810 or visit childabusepreventioncenter.org.

Women’s Chorus of Dallas has many volunteer opportunities, including ushering at concerts, helping with mailings, answering the phone and helping with office work and committee participation. 214.520.7828 or twcd.org.

East Dallas Community Garden needs volunteers to help plant, tend and harvest crops and take produce to area food banks. Individual garden plots are also available. 972.231.3565 or gardendallas.org.

Globe Aware, a nonprofit organization promoting cultural awareness and sustainability by conducting humanitarian assistance programs in Latin America and Asia, is in need of volunteers who can translate Spanish and conduct Internet research to prepare various projects that will be implemented abroad. 214.823.0083 or info@globalaware.org

Heart House Dallas, a free after-school program for low-income children, has a variety of volunteer opportunities for groups and individuals. Work as a mentor, homework tutor, coach, office helper or in other available capacities. For information contact Jayna Wallach at 214.750.7637 or jawallach@hearthouse.org or visit hearthouse.org.

Charities Home Center is in need of volunteers to help operate the resale store and also seeks gently used donations for families in the community. Donations can be picked up. Hours of operation are Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 10677 E. Northwest Highway, Suite 240, 214.342.8231.