Sacramento Self Help Housing. The Bastille Day "Let Us Eat Cake" fundraiser will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, which is Bastille Day in France, in the garden at the home of Karolyn and Jerry Simon. The focus of the event is on a cake-decorating contest, with competitors vying for the prize for the most original cake. The party is open with a $20 entry fee; proceeds benefit Self Help Housing, which locates affordable housing for people with little money. Contact Self Help Housing at (916) 341-0593.
DOVIA. Directors of Volunteers in Agencies will partner with the city of Sacramento, local AmeriCorps*VISTA members, the Volunteer Center of Sacramento and Hands On Sacramento to host the second volunteer speed-matching event from 5 to 7 p.m. July 22 at the Pyramid Alehouse, 1029 K St., Sacramento. Similar to speed dating, the event allows prospective volunteers to move from table to table in four-minute intervals to learn quickly about local nonprofit organizations. The participating nonprofits focus on helping children, assisting animals, bettering the environment and serving seniors. Registration is free, but potential volunteers must sign up at www.handsonsacto.org or by calling Daniel Wilson at (916) 264-8659. For more information: (916) 567-3100.
PharmGirls. The third annual fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association, sponsored by the PharmGirls walk team, begins at 8 a.m. July 19 at the southwest corner of Pershing and Pecan avenues in Orangevale. The team is slated to participate in Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes on Oct. 11 at the state Capitol. The team, which has raised more than $5,000 each year, has planned the July 19 sale to add to the coffers. Visit http://main.diabetes.org/goto/ pharmgirls08 or e-mail PharmgirlADA@aol.com.
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop. The Roseville shop at 1813 Douglas Blvd. (next to Mervyn's) will have a fitness and activewear special event Friday through Sunday. Curves of Roseville will offer free body-fat testing. Touch of the Orient will be featured July 25-27. Shop hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Call (916) 786-7773.
Volunteers of America. The Operation Backpack 2008 campaign will kick off with a donation event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Save Mart supermarket, 8839 Greenback Lane, Orangevale. The drive, which runs through July 25, seeks to provide new backpacks and school supplies for more than 48,000 Sacramento area children ages 5-17 who are homeless or live in poverty. Among companies where supplies may be taken are Starbucks, Macy's, Washington Mutual branches and Save Mart. Call Barry Wisdom at (916) 442-3691 for specifics regarding locations.
Mamaraderie. A parents-night-out fundraiser will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the 1801 L Street Courtyard, with proceeds helping Robynn Hansen Goodell, a victim of angiosarcoma of the liver. Sandra Kozimor will emcee the program, which will include a hosted wine bar and appetizers, a trunk show with select accessories, health and beauty vendors, and entertainment. Tickets are $30 per person, $50 for a couple. Visit www.mamaraderie.com.
Gloria Glyer's Helping Others covers events raising funds for charity. Send announcements at least three weeks in advance to Gloria Glyer, Scene Section, The Sacramento Bee, P.O. Box 15779, Sacramento CA 95822; e-mail to gglyer@earthlink.net or call (916) 556-5619.
