The holidays serve as a reminder of the many East County residents, families and individuals for whom the season is less than merry. This year, our local service organizations are answering the call to help those in need:

American Legion Riders District 9

Providing community service and motorcycle escorts for soldiers returning home, the District 9 Riders meet the first Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Veterans Memorial Building, 403 W. Sixth St. in Antioch. Call Patrick Tafoya at 325-1750.

Antioch Rotary Club

Rotary is an organization that brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace throughout the world. Antioch Rotary meets Thursdays at noon in the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road. Call Alan Payton at 457-5324 or visit www.antiochrotaryclub.org.

Antioch Women’s Club

AWC meets the first Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. at 509 G St. Call 757-0397.

Kiwanis Club of the Delta

A worldwide organization dedicated to helping children, Kiwanis of the Delta meets Tuesdays at 7 a.m. in Denny’s, 4823 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. Call Cherice Gilliam at 584-0367.

Lions Club of Antioch

A charitable service organization dedicated to helping those in need, the Antioch Lions meet the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in Black Bear Diner in Oakley. Call Chuck at 754-2818.

Knights of Columbus of Antioch

A faith-based organization that raises money and donates time to charitable needs and projects, the Antioch Knights meet the fourth Tuesday of the month at St. Ignatius Church, 3351 Contra Loma Blvd. Call 757-8331.

Rotary Club of the Delta-Antioch

Rotary is an organization that brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace throughout the world. Rotary of the Delta-Antioch meets Wednesdays at 7 a.m. in the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Way in Antioch. Call 584-9265.

Salvation Army

A Christian-run organization providing aid and assistance to those in need around the world, the Salvation Army is located at 620 E. Tregallas Road in Antioch. Call 778-0808.

Soroptimist International of Antioch

Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, meeting Wednesdays at noon in the Lone Tree Golf & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Way in Antioch. Call 828-1672.

Bethel Island Lions Club

A charitable service organization dedicated to helping those in need, the Bethel Island Lions meet the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. in Scout Hall, 3090 Ranch Lane in Bethel Island. Call 625-4356.

American Legion Riders Chapter 202

The Chapter 202 Riders provide community service and motorcycle escorts for soldiers returning home. Call Jeff Weber at 348-6618.

Brentwood Rotary

An organization that brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help build goodwill and peace throughout the world, Brentwood Rotary meets Mondays at noon in the Wedgewood Event Center, 100 Summerset Drive. Call Greg Robinson at 634-1441, ext. 115 or visit www.brentwoodcarotary.org.

Delta Community Services, Inc.

Delta Community Services provides outreach information and services to the residents of East County. They’re located at 648 Second St. in Brentwood. Call 634-8275.

Kids Helping Kids

Kids Helping Kids is a countywide organization dedicated to improving the lives of children around the globe. Call Laura Page at 513-8002 or e-mail info@kidzhelpingkids.org.

Kiwanis Club of Brentwood

A worldwide organization dedicated to helping children, the Brentwood Kiwanis meets Fridays at 7:30 a.m. in Mimi’s Restaurant, 5705 Lone Tree Way. Call Rick Lemyre, 634-1441, ext. 111 or e-mail rick@brentwoodpress.com.

Knights of Columbus, Brentwood

The Brentwood Knights are a faith-based organization that raise money and donate time to those in need. They meet the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 500 Fairview Ave. Call 513-9473.

Lions Club of Brentwood

A charitable service organization – the oldest of its kind in Brentwood – dedicated to helping those in need, the Brentwood Lions meet the first and third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in La Fuente Restaurant, 642 First St. Call Fred Ginsler at 642-2825 or visit www.lcobw.com.

Soroptimist International of East Contra Costa County

Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls. The East County Soroptimists meet the first Thursday of the month at noon and the third Thursday at 6 p.m. in La Fuente Restaurant, 642 First St. in Brentwood. Call Barbara Guise at 634-4480 or visit www.soroptimist.org.

Soroptimist of the Delta

An international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, East County Soroptimist of the Delta meets the first Tuesday of the month at 6 pm. in M.J.’s Café, 655 First St. in Brentwood. Call Treza Black at 628-5962.

Byron/Delta Lions Club

The Lions are a charitable service organization dedicated to helping those in need. The Byron/Delta Lions meet the first Friday of the month at 10 a.m. in Delta Community Church, 1900 Willow Lake Road in Discovery Bay. E-mail Del Tucci at deltc@homtail.com.

Discovery Bay Lions Club

A charitable service organization dedicated to helping those in need, the Discovery Bay Lions meet the first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in Discovery Bay Yacht Club, 5871 Marina Road. Call Jim Mattison at 513-9032.

Friends of Oakley

The mission of the Friends of Oakley Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in the City of Oakley now and for future generations through efforts that inspire donor philanthropy to address community needs. Visit www.friendsofoakley.webs.com.

Order of Redmen/Pocahontas

A national organization dedicated to preserving the values of America while providing outreach and help to those in need. The Order of Redmen/Pocahontas meets at 1403 Main St. in Oakley. Call 625-0596.

Brentwood Regional Community Chest

The BRCC provides East County residents with full holiday dinners, canned food and age-appropriate presents for their children. Call Lill Pierce at 813-1320.

Hospice of the East Bay

Providing comfort, care and respite for individuals with terminal or life-threatening illnesses, Hospice of the East Bay can be reached by phone at 887-5678. The website is www.hospiceeastbay.org.