New York Cares offers hundreds of ways for Queens residents to get involved in their community through rewarding, conveniently scheduled projects.

Becoming a New York Cares volunteer is easy. Simply attend a one-time orientation, and then choose from more than 900 citywide projects offered each month.

Orientation for new volunteers will be held in Queens at the following locations during December. To register, or for additional orientation dates, go to www.nycares.org or call 212-228-5000:

December 18, A.A.F.E., 133-04 39th Avenue, Flushing, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

December 19, Briarwood Library, 85-12 Main St., Briarwood, 1:30–2:30 p.m.

December 23, A.R.R.O.W, 35-30 35th St., Astoria, 6:15–7:15 p.m.

Holiday Volunteering:

•The 20th Annual New York Cares Winter Wishes for Kids and Families Program

This holiday season, with your help, New York Cares hopes to fulfill the holiday wishes of more than 30,000 disadvantaged New Yorkers through our Winter Wishes Letters for Kids and Families Program. You can take one or more of these letters and buy the gift(s) requested. The item you buy may be the only gift that person receives this holiday season.

Each Winter Wishes request is in the $40 price range. To participate in this program, go to www.nycares.org to register!

To register for additional orientation dates or information on December projects in Queens go to www.nycares.org or call the Project Sign-Up Hotline at 212-402-1156.