Get Involved

Ways to Get Involved with CARES

Donate Online Through PayPal

While CARES uses PayPal’s safe and secure online fundraising platform, donors do not need a PayPal account to give. All major credit cards are accepted for your convenience.

With over 100 million active users worldwide, PayPal is a trusted leader in secure online payments. Last year, more than 200,000 nonprofits relied on PayPal to process $3 billion in donations.

Donate Through PayPal

Donate by Mail, Fax or Email

At CARES, we understand and respect that everyone has different comfort levels when it comes to giving or receiving funds. We are happy to accommodate your preferences in any way.

Please click the button below to download our printable donation form (PDF). If you’re unable to open PDFs, just contact us—we’ll gladly email, fax, or mail the form to you.

Donate by Mail

Donate a Vehicle

Donate your used car, van, truck, boat with trailer, or recreational vehicle to CARES—no matter the age or condition!

We’ve partnered with Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS), a nonprofit social enterprise that supports only nonprofits through vehicle donations. Your donation helps CARES continue its mission to support patients and families at Los Angeles General Medical Center.

Donate a Vehicle

In Kind Donations

We’re always looking for your retired treasures, so bring yours to share with others.
(All items must be clean and in good working condition)

Aceptable Donations

New/used children’s books for Pediatric Reading Program and Lending Library
New toys especially during December holiday season
New or gently used comfort clothing/shoes to assist in discharging patients
New baby layettes for newborns

How to Volunteer

CARES welcomes new volunteers; however, due to the nature of the medical environment, the following are necessary.

Requirements

Clear Department of Justice (DOJ) background check through Los Angeles General Medical Center Human Resources Department
Clear Employee Health Clearances (EHS) or submit health clearance information (TB test, immunizations) to Employee Health Services for final clearance
Attend a General Orientation and Department Specific Trainings

For additional information, contact the CARES office at (323) 409-6941.

Help CARES Make a Difference

Volunteers

Work with children in Child Care Centers
Assist in grant writing or other fundraising projects that support programs for patients
Become a Patient Relations Visitor
Read to pediatric patients
Shop in the CARES Shops
Assist in the CARES Gift with pricing items, waiting on customers, and doing inventory
Donate to the Patient Visitor Program or the Pediatric Reading Program
Offer public relations and computer expertise
Plan and/or participate in special events

Employees

Shop in CARES Gift Shops and Coffee Bar
Come visit our Childcare Centers and refer patients’ and visitors’ children to the Centers
Make a donation to CARES either directly or via payroll deductions through the United Way. (United Way CARES account # 35407 )
Tell others who do not work at the Medical Center about CARES and encourage them to join and volunteer.

Youth Volunteer Opportunities

The rewards of volunteering and serving one’s community should be introduced early in one’s life. Often schools or organizations like the National Charity League and the Girl Scouts of America (The Gold Award) require completion of a community service project. CARES has been working with many young people who offer very valuable services and can perform most of their work off grounds.

Service

One meaningful service provided through CARES is the creation of bedside care bags for patients in need. These bags include donated personal care and comfort items not supplied by the Medical Center, such as scarves for cancer patients, deodorant, warm socks, lotion, and chapstick.

CARES is also grateful for the support of the National Charity League of San Marino, whose members assist with the Holiday Giving Program for patients and families in need at Los Angeles General Medical Center.

Requirements for onsite CARES volunteers who have a sincere interest in volunteering in a hospital setting located within the Medical Center:

High school student who is at least 16 years of age
Application must be signed by school counselor
A minimum commitment of 100 hours of volunteer service to be completed within one year or sooner. Be able to volunteer consistently a minimum of one 4-hour shift per week, until the 100 hours are met
Attend a General Volunteer Orientation and Department Specific training
Parents must accompany their teen with a valid CA ID for Security and Health Clearance

Ways to Serve

Kathy Lohr, CARES Board Member, is working with Maritza Morales, Executive Director, to visit a couple of local schools to speak to their Community Service Coordinators to involve their students here at the Medical Center. These youth can:

Toy Drive

Help to meet the holiday needs of our patients by sponsoring a toy drive, or adopting a patient’s family and shopping for the items on their wish list.

Baby Shower

Have a pretend “baby shower” for our moms with newborns.

Donate Blankets

Make or donate baby blankets, lap robes and other items.

Book Drive

Hold a book drive for children’s books (new or gently used) for the pediatric reading program.

Clothing Donation

collect clothing for the patients who have no clothing when discharged (usually men’s pants and shoes are needed most).

Personal Bags

Sew or donate personal bags filled with items needed by the patients.

Music

Arrange for musicians to come and sing to the patients and guests at the medical center.