VOLUNTEERS BOOST VALLEY.

Byline: - Lisa Van Proyen

From refurbishing a fire station kitchen to equipping engines with special tools for locked-out motorists, volunteer Sophia Brodelsky seeks to meet needs at all 38 fire stations in the San Fernando Valley.

``She's like a full sparkplug. She's just fired up to help,'' said Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Carlos Calvillo, a department spokesman.

In 2005, about 25,000 volunteers contributed more than 2.5 million hours to the Valley, according to the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles.

Gloria Pollack, president of the philanthropic Fernando Award Foundation, calls the Valley ``The Volunteer Center of the U.S.''

Each year, the Fernando Award is given to a person demonstrating outstanding civic duty. Last year's Fernando Award recipient was J. Richard Leyner, 68, of Northridge, senior vice president of NAI Capital, a commercial real estate brokerage in Encino.

Leyner's sense of civic responsibility began at age 13 at the community center in his hometown of Jersey City, N.J. By age 19, he immersed himself in the community chamber of commerce's activities and raised funds for the poor. At 23, Leyner became one of the youngest managing partners on the New York Stock Exchange.

Among his long list of volunteer acts, Leyner is currently chairman of the board for the Child Development Institute, which helps children with developmental problems such as autism and speech defects.

``I left (the stock exchange) because I felt that I was only serving two masters: Fear and greed. There are things in life other than counting how much money you make,'' he said. ``To be able to see a child whose parents had no faith in him and, all of a sudden, the kid is mainstreamed and getting the help they need ... To get a life before them, there's nothing more rewarding than that.''

Brodelsky, 44, owner of the Valley Inn Restaurant in Sherman Oaks, began her volunteer work in the Valley in 1998 by helping friends buy prom dresses to boost the self-esteem of mentally challenged and abused children.

She described one frail 12-year-old: ``She had marks all over her body, like someone had put cigarettes on her. But I can't tell you how she felt in that dress,'' Brodelsky said. ``It's like someone had touched her with a magic wand and her toughness went away.

``This girl was like Cinderella, who turns around and becomes beautiful. I really enjoy making a difference.''

After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the business owner felt compelled to help firefighters.

Brodelsky was one of the few who never gave up strong support, said fire Capt. John Lawrence of Sunland-Tujunga Station 74.

``A lot of times, she doesn't take no for an answer. She's been a true supporter,'' Lawrence said.

In the annual Benefit for Our Bravest event, Brodelsky and Lawrence lead efforts to raise funds for firefighters through a silent auction. Many auctioned items come from Brodelsky's customers.

In four years, more than $100,000 has gone to the Valley's 38 fire stations, thanks to this benefit fund, Lawrence said.

``I really feel blessed that the people want to help and they get into the spirit of it,'' Brodelsky said.

The number of outstretched hands is rising in the San Fernando Valley, according to the Volunteer Center. Last year, there were 600 more volunteers than the previous year.

``Volunteerism is getting better and better here,'' said Pollack, who added that youths in particular are becoming ambitious givers.

Kirandeep Sumra, 16, is one such youth, who in two years has donated about 800 hours to Sherman Oaks Hospital. She was named the hospital's Volunteer of the Year for 2005.

There, she serves as lead volunteer supervisor, doing one-on-one training for new volunteers and assisting with scheduling. Her wide range of duties includes providing comfort to dying patients, escorting patients on garden walks, ordering meals and visiting with patients - her favorite.

``It's so rewarding,'' she said. ``They get so cheerful when you step into their room.''

The following are some volunteer opportunities in the San Fernando Valley. For more information, contact the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles at [phone].

--Work-force literacy tutors needed. Work one-on-one or with a small group of adults who are having difficulty speaking, listening, reading, writing, doing math or using information technologies in the workplace. Two-hour volunteer orientation required.

--Information booth staffers needed. A nonprofit organization operating the Hollywood farmers market and four other Los Angeles-area markets seeks volunteers for Wednesdays and Sundays at the information booths and to assist with decorations, T-shirt and bag sales and special events. Minimum age is 14.

--Care for military personnel. This organization is a new, entertainment-industry nonprofit charity that sends or distributes care packages of DVDs, CDs, videotapes and other gifts to deployed servicemen and -women, wounded soldiers in military hospitals and others. Seeking volunteers to help with administrative and computer support and Web site design, entertainment industry and military liaisons.

--Toy-loan librarian needed. Volunteers needed to assist in operating community toy-loan center. Main responsibility: Lending toys and books to needy children. Can also provide tutoring and lead in recreational activities.

--Volunteer library assistance in North Hollywood: Work in the library to help children choose books, check books in and out, restacking and filing. Minimum two hours weekly. Reading and math tutors also needed.

Here are other volunteer opportunities:

--Wheels For Humanity, which delivers and personally fits wheelchairs free of cost to children and adults with disabilities in 59 developing countries, needs volunteer truck and van drivers, wheelchair mechanics (no experience necessary) and occupational therapists as trip volunteers. Call Michael Allen, volunteer coordinator, at [phone], Ext. 232.

--Meals on Wheels needs drivers to pick up meals and deliver them to homebound individuals. Routes run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with directions given. Mileage reimbursed. Call Ileene Parker at [phone].

--MEND needs volunteer physicians, pharmacists, dentists and after-school tutors. Call Lupe Acosta at [phone].

--Volunteers needed at an adult-care facility to help those with mild to moderate dementia and stroke victims. Contact: Pamela White at [phone].

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