Helping Others

A girl from the tiny community of Lotus in El Dorado County hopes to make a big splash by becoming one of the youngest people to swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco on Memorial Day.

Participants in this year's NorCal AIDS Cycle, a 330-mile bike ride to benefit HIV/AIDS organizations, raised $300,000, a spokeswoman said Sunday.

Rebecca Morrison happily surveys the audience listening to poet Justin Desmangles and bassist Harley White Jr. perform under redwood trees near Putah Creek at the UC Davis Arboretum.

Nevada County Habitat for Humanity is seeking volunteers to participate in a blitz build during six days in June.

Those weren't just any kites flying Thursday at a fundraiser at a UC Davis intramural field – they were built of bamboo and paper by Afghan youngsters from the streets of Kabul.

Motocross racing and medicine will intersect today when elite riders from the Hangtown Motocross Classic will host about 70 young patients from UC Davis Children's Hospital for a special behind-the-scenes look at their sport.

Harry Scott has been volunteering for Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California for 20 years. Scott, 84, who retired from the state in 1988, has logged 12,000 hours managing the volunteer drivers who transport patients and families.

At 66 and desperately ill with the recurrence of an aggressive form of non- Hodgkins lymphoma, Davis artist Gay Powers needed to move closer to the Sutter Cancer Center in Sacramento to prepare for the stem-cell transplant that doctors say is her best hope.

The Renaissance Society, a Sacramento learning and retirement organization, has awarded $2,000 scholarships to four California State University, Sacramento, students.

EPIC Bible College student Adam Soupik was sweating profusely after helping deliver a bed, couch and refrigerator to the family in south Sacramento.

Junior Achievement of Sacramento, which helps kids and teens with financial management and work-readiness skills, announced Wednesday it's received $35,000 in grant and donation funding from Wells Fargo Bank.

With one major showcase per season, high school sports in the Sacramento region have taken to a bigger stage and served as a rallying point for a larger cause.

Author's Luncheon, by the Gifting Grandmas of Sacramento Crisis Nurseries. Sacramento-area authors will be in the spotlight.

St. John's Shelter for Women & Children. "Simply Mad for Tea," a Mad Hatter's tea party, will be May 10 at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J St.

In December, Landon Darling, 5, asked his relatives, his church, his preschool and taekwondo classes for new socks for the homeless. With the help of his family and the generosity of schoolmates and others, Landon collected more than 1,500 pairs of new socks and delivered them to Sacramento's Loaves & Fishes in February.

The Bayside churches in Placer and Sacramento counties are coming through in a big way for charities.

Volunteers swarmed over the home of an 81-year-old Oak Park man Saturday, completing a three-week "extreme makeover" to produce an upgraded, comfortable and safe residence.

If it seemed like more people worked outside Saturday throughout the Sacramento region, rest assured it wasn't your imagination.

West Sacramento-based Raley's and consumer products giant Unilever are partnering to raise money for local food banks.

The California Victim Compensation Program will collect donations of denim clothing today to benefit victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Wine Women & Shoes, a benefit for the Sacramento Children's Home a comprehensive child and family service organization providing services to vulnerable children and families for nearly 150 years.

My Sister's House. "Stop! In the Name of Love!" themes the Broadway-style show planned for May 14 at the Crest Theatre. Art Studio Trek. The sixth annual art and chocolate studio tour in Roseville, Rocklin and Granite Bay

Jessie Chambers has been helping people since she was a child. "I was 9 years old when I taught catechism in Spanish," said Chambers, 85.

Chickens pecked in the front yard. Singly and in pairs, women walked up the driveway, then back, killing time before a 12-step study group.

Sacramento County resident Ora Rakestraw, 94, who has been volunteering throughout the more than three decades of her retirement, is a finalist for a national lifetime achievement award for her ongoing service to the community.

What: "Soaring Toward Success," Christo Rey High School's annual scholarship dinner and auction.

Sacramento Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. The third annual Lawyers Helping Kids event will be at 5:30 p.m. next Wednesday at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria. Sacramento CASA, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, will present the 2012 CASA Impact Award to Carol S. Chrisman, referee of the Sacramento County Juvenile Court.

During a recent dry spell, farmers Annie and Jeff Main clean, sort and fuss over a crop of oranges harvested from their 20-acre organic farm in Yolo County's Hungry Hollow Valley. It's the same passion the couple have put in the last 30 years nurturing and growing their Good Humus Farm, which cultivates and sells 29 different vegetables, 11 types of fruits and a couple of dozen varieties of flowers and herbs.

• Volunteer Center of Sacramento. The center's 50th anniversary will be celebrated with the movie party-themed "Breakfast at Tiffany's: Bubbles & Bling" on April 20 at the Crest Theatre in downtown Sacramento. Champagne, wine, appetizers and dessert will be the fare for the party starting at 5:30 p.m. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" with Audrey Hepburn will be screened at 7 p.m. Live music with the Honey Trees and Audrey will be featured, along with group photos and sparkling favors. Tickets are $25; call (916) 567-3100 or visit www.volunteersac.org.

What: Seventh annual wine auction – "Same Great Varietal, New 2012 Vintage," a benefit for Stanford Youth Solutions.