The American Red Cross is looking for volunteers. Positions are available for desk and telephone receptionists, blood services, computer and web design, public relations, class instructors, fundraising, working in disaster preparedness, and assisting the chapter’s youth program. To volunteer call Tom Viscount at 310.394.3773 x112 from 1-5 pm, Monday through Thursday.
Ananda LA offers free Thursday Night Lectures. Join us every other Thursday at 7:30pm, anandala.org.
The Assistance League of Santa Monica is celebrating their 70th anniversary. Help the ALSM by shopping at their thrift shop, the Assistance League Bargain Bazaar, 1453 14th St., 310.395.2338.
Baha’i Center in Santa Monica is located at 3102 Colorado Avenue, 310.394.7971 or go to santamonicabahai.org.
The Marshall McLuhan-Finnegan’s Wake Reading Club meets first Mondays from 6-8pm at the Venice Library, 501 S. Venice Blvd., free, 310-306-7330 or jesgrew.org/wake.
Mt. Olive Film Night, Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 1343 Ocean Park Blvd., entertaining and thought-provoking films shown on 2nd and 4th Saturdays, supper at 6pm, films start at 7pm, free, 310.452.1116.
The Santa Monica Police Activities League (PAL) has partnered with Santa Monica Place and the Bayside District for the 2nd Annual “Best Gift Ever” toy drive. Community members and local businesses are invited to drop off gifts from November 12 to December 20, at the Winterlit Gift Wrap Station (1400 Block of Third Street Promenade), Santa Monica Place Guest Services on Level 2, or at participating Santa Monica Starbucks Coffee locations. Go to winterlit.com for store listings.
Santa Monica Oceanaires barbershop harmony chorus invites men of all ages and voice parts to sing each Tuesday, 7-10pm, Church of Christ, 9733 Venice Blvd., WLA, oceanaires.org, 310.202.1380.
SMC’s Continuing Education Program is offering free ESL and Citizenship classes, 1-4pm Wednesdays, at SMC’s Bundy campus, 3171 S. Bundy Dr., LA, and at the Madison campus, Santa Monica Blvd. and 11th St. 310.434.3400.
Soroptimist is a service organization available to help women and children, meetings are held the first and third Wednesday of each month, 310.395.6168.
Toys For Tots’ 60th annual toy drive is now on. Woodlawn Cemetery & Mausoleum, at 1847 14th St., is an official toy drop-off location. Donations of unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the cemetery business office through December 13, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm, Saturday-Sunday, 10am-4pm.