One old axiom goes, "April showers bring May flowers," while another advises, "Bloom where you are planted."

Volunteers certainly take root in the communities-and in the hearts-of those they serve. There are lots of opportunities to grow as an individual through sharing your time, even just a few hours a week.

Camarillo: Interface Children Family Services is seeking volunteers interested in teaching personal safety to children ages 4 to 12 and their parents. Two Interface programs focus on sexual abuse prevention non-threatening and age-appropriate manner. Daytime availability is needed and the time commitment can vary from a few hours per month to a few hours per week.

Interface is at 1305 Del Norte Road, Ste. 130, Camarillo. For information, call Lisa Nelson at (805) 485-6114, ext. 612.

Thousand Oaks: The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza invites residents to show their community support by becoming a Friend of the Civic Arts Plaza. The cost of belonging to the Friends is $15 per year or $25 per year as a patron. There are many volunteer opportunities available to Friends:

Volunteer twice monthly as a salesperson in the gift shop. Onthe-job training is provided.

Training is provided on an individual basis for volunteers to become tour guides showing other community members and guests the theatres.

An "office angel" receives and relays phone messages to the Friends. This work may be done at home. Volunteers would be assigned a specific day and time.

Volunteers may train as ushers and will be required to usher for at least two theater presentations per month. The training consists of two, four-hour classes. A fee of $15 is required for materials.

Those interested are invited to leave a message at (805) 4492741. The Civic Arts Plaza is at 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

Conejo Valley Adult School Literacy Program will offer a free two-day literacy tutor workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, April 26 and May 3 in room C at the school, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks.

This workshop will prepare volunteers to tutor adults in basic literacy skills. Volunteers do not need to have a teaching background. Volunteers are required to attend both sessions.

After completion of training, each volunteer will commit a minimum of two hours per week (days or evenings) tutoring an adult student in the school's Literacy Center.

For registration information, call (805) 374-1161.

The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is seeking volunteers who would be interested in assisting with planting, maintenance, irrigation, propagation, plant sales and leading children's groups on walks through the Kids' Adventure Garden and nature trail.

Additionally, volunteers may wish to share their administrative skills by preparing newsletters or flyers.

The garden is adjacent to Conejo Community Park in Thousand Oaks, off Gainsborough Road. For more details, please call (805) 494-7630.

San Fernando Valley: Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center is seeking adult volunteers to work in the Tarzana Emergency Department from 3 to 11 p.m. These volunteers will act as liaisons between the clinical hospital staff, patients and patient family members.

The center is also recruiting volunteers to work at both campus gift shops, with many shifts available.

For information, call Janet Davis at the Encino campus at (818) 995-5001, or Barbara Gardner at the Tarzana campus at (818) 708-5618.

As a prelude to National Volunteer Week, Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic-Los Angeles (RFB&D-LA) will host its 14th annual celebrity kick off recorda-thon contest featuring actors Betty White, Jasmine Guy, James Pickens Jr., Kate Linder, Michael Kostroff and Sandra Tsing Loh, as well as news anchors, radio hosts and journalists, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., April 22 at 5022 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles.

The record-a-thon is a weeklong contest where RFB&D-LA's regular volunteers try to double their production of audio textbooks prepared for students with vision impairment, dyslexia or other physical disabilities that make reading standard print difficult or impossible.

The kickoff event is free to the public, and tours are available of RFB&D-LA facilities in Los Angeles, Redondo Beach and Reseda for prospective volunteers. To learn more, call (323) 664-5525.