Want something to do that will make you feel good while helping out a child? Donate a backpack and/or school supplies as one of the April 5 ‘Love Ceres' projects.

Those who won't be around during the April 5 event may donate to the cause through use of collection points set up at the Ceres Community Center, Embroidery Plus and EXIT Realty. Donated items may also be dropped off at the 9 a.m. gathering the morning of Love Ceres.

Backpack and school supplies is just one of four projects that may be done in advance of the April 5 event. Items that may be donated include pens, pencils, notebooks, paper, crayons, and backpacks.

Also seeking donations as part of the "Love Ceres" effort is the Boots and Saddles program which provides horse riding opportunities for veterans and their families.

The "Heroes to Cowboys" riding program was created to help with physical and emotional therapy through the healing power of horses at Diamond Bar Arena in rural Ceres. The riding program is free for the veterans and is open to help them and their families to share a like experience.

Activities for children in the Buckaroo Kids Camp operates at various times of the year.

Obviously one of the largest expenses of the "Heroes to Cowboys" program is hay for the horses. Boots and Saddles is seeking hay donations through S & S Tack in Ceres at 538-6391.

The day calls for volunteers to commit to one of 18 different projects in Ceres. The event begins with a gathering at the Community Center at 9 a.m.

Projects include free car washings for senior citizens, free meals to those in need in the community, mentoring a child, the clean-up of parks and neighborhoods, visiting residents of a Ceres convalescent home, assisting at the Ceres Library, praying for the volunteers and the community, performing home and yard maintenance, conducting a clothing drive, conducting a community Baby Shower, and inside and outside projects at the Whitmore Mansion. Everyone is encouraged to visit www.loveceres.com and sign-up for a project.

Visit www.loveceres.com to signup for either project or get more information.