Hundreds of community minded individuals will be turning out this Saturday morning for a host of volunteer projects as Ceres comes together for the annual "Love Ceres" event. There is still plenty of chores to be accomplished for those who have not signed up but would like to help the community.

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. Volunteers are being referred to the www.loveceres.com website to sign up for projects or get more information.

Projects include free car washings for senior citizens, providing free meals to those in need in the community, mentoring a child, cleaning up of parks and neighborhoods, visiting residents of a Ceres convalescent home, assisting at the Ceres Library, performing home and yard maintenance, conducting a clothing drive, conducting a community Baby Shower, and inside and outside projects at the Whitmore Mansion.

Those who want to help out but won't be around on Saturday can still do their part. Backpacks and school supplies for economically disadvantaged Ceres children are being collected 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. 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.

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.