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Montgomery County
RSVP - Responding to a Call to Serve                                           Winter 2012
Greetings! HG_candles_color
 

Happy holiday season to all!  It's a happy but hectic time of year.  With your significant commitment to volunteering, I hope you are taking some "time outs" for yourself. With the new year, we get to start all over again. It's also a time when many make resolutions to volunteer.  Of course, you are ahead of the game; you already do! But perhaps your 2012 resolution could be convincing friends or relatives to step up to volunteer with you.

 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day of Service

One of our big January events is the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, held at the Bethesda North Marriott on Marinelli Road. On Monday, January 16, 2012, from 1 pm - 3 pm, the ballroom will be filled with projects galore - making "art-full" and "heart-full" Valentine's Day cards for the troops, packing 500 "snow day" boxes (shelf stable food) for Meals on Wheels, making "no-sew" fleece blankets for Montgomery Hospice, creating "thoughtful treasures" for patients at The Children's Inn, and many more.  Whole Foods Market once again will sponsor the immensely popular preparation of 1,500 bag lunches for area shelters; it's a testament to teamwork, with volunteers of all ages working together.

 

Additionally, the Volunteer Fair at this event will have many of our RSVP partner organizations participating, including Community Ministries of Rockville, Interages, Jewish Community Center, Literacy Council of Montgomery County, Meals on Wheels, The Senior Connection, and Youth for Understanding. To make this day of service successful, we need volunteers to help before, during and after the event.  If you are interested, please contact Maryam Amini, at 240-777-2618 or email her here.  

 

RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide Program

Our RSVP/AARP Tax-Aide program is gearing up for the new season.  AARP Tax-Aide is the nation's largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service. It is available to taxpayers with low-to-moderate incomes and gives special attention to seniors age 60 and older. The Montgomery County program is massive! We still need more SCHEDULERS and CLIENT FACILITATORS: volunteers to schedule appointments (location: Scheduling Office at Holiday Park Senior Center) or volunteers to greet clients at various tax preparation sites throughout the County as client facilitators.

 

This is a seasonal gig, from January to April, topped off with a lovely volunteer appreciation brunch in May. You get to work with other great volunteers and help many grateful County residents. Rave reviews, too!   "What a wonderful experience dealing with helpful and professional volunteers at our local senior center.  We even got a refund that we were not expecting! We will certainly be back again next year." And they do keep coming back - nearly 80% have used the service more than once. 

 

So, if you can volunteer a few hours per week, please email Lynn here

 

Warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season and here's to a bright new year! Heartfelt thanks to all RSVPers for your continued commitment to volunteering year after year!

 

Sincerely,

 

Kathleen Meaney Stobie 

Montgomery County RSVP Director 
AGENCY SPOTLIGHT 
spotlight

jewish council for aging logo
JCA's 
Career Gateway Program

 Do you like to provide encouragement, act as a sounding board, and offer thoughtful advice? BE A MENTOR! Join more than two dozen volunteers who have helped graduates of JCA's Career Gateway program engage in positive and productive job searches.  Each mentor works closely with two or three job-seekers, forming rewarding relationships and making a difference in their mentee's lives.  For more information, call Ellen Greenberg at 301-255-4215 or email her here
 
FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
 
Brookside Gardens logo
The Garden of Lights opened November 25! See close to one million twinkling colorful lights in wonderful displays throughout Brookside Gardens in Wheaton.  Open every night (except December 24 & 25, and January 2-5) until 10 pm (last car admitted at 9:30 pm.  Please visit www.GardenofLights.org for more info.

 

Of course, the need for volunteers increases every year as the display grows. Please contact Brookside's Volunteer Desk at 301-962-1429 or by email here. Complete an application and some one-on-one training (and a background check).  There are still daytime conservancy docent shifts available and evening parking lot volunteers are needed.  
 
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oasis OASIS is looking for volunteers interested in tutoring area students.  Join 180 OASIS tutors in helping contribute to the success of our future leaders.  There are two workshops coming up: Monday, January 9 from 10:30 am - noon on  Decoding & Comprehension tips. This workshop will be presented by Bells Mill teachers Debbie Taylor,  Resource Teacher &  Lois Hough,  Reading Teacher. A second workshop will be held Friday, February 17 from 10:30 am - noon on how to add zip to your tutoring (presented by Eric Kimel, founder of Peer 2 Peer Tutoring). These workshops are open to anyone interested in working with OASIS, not just current tutors.

 

Want more more information about the OASIS tutoring program? Contact Pat at OASIS here.

 

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senior connection logo w/ tagThe Senior Connection of Montgomery County, Inc. is pleased to begin a new service to low-income seniors in Montgomery County.  Through a three-way partnership with AARP, the American Association of Daily Money Managers, and our agency, volunteers will help Montgomery County seniors with bill-paying services.  The program is designed to help area seniors maintain control of their finances with the skilled assistance of a trained volunteer.  The volunteer helps to navigate the process of paying bills, filing paperwork and monitoring bank records to protect against scams and identify theft.  A training session is scheduled for January 26, 2012. 
 
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Marcia Custer here, or call her at 301-962-0820 x14. 
MLK scalable

The 2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is drawing near so mark your calendars!  

Montgomery County will celebrate this important event on Monday, January 16, 2012. Give back to those in the community by participating in service projects at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, followed by a tribute at the Music Center at Strathmore at 4:00 pm. Service projects will also be underway at the Universities at Shady Grove and the Silver Spring Civic Building. 

 

For more information on joining the activities, check out the website in the coming weeks for the latest! 

 

Montg Hospice
 
TIPS FOR HELPING A GRIEVING FRIEND
 
Grief can be a difficult and stressful experience, and supporting a grieving friend can be challenging.  Some tips:
 
- Acknowledge your own discomfort.
- Understand that each person grieves differently.
- Be patient.  Grief takes time.
- Remember that first birthdays, anniversaries and   holidays without a loved one can be very difficult.
- Avoid platitudes, such as "This is part of God's     plan" or "She is in a better place."
- Listen.  Be willing to sit in silence.
- Call and offer specific ways that you can help.
- Be there for the long haul.
- Expect ups and downs.
 
Click to the entire article Ways to Help a Grieving Friend. 
 
Our thanks to author Linda Tebelman and Montgomery Hospice.  Montgomery Hospice offers free workshops and support groups for the community. Click here or call 301-921-4400 for more information. 
spotlight
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
 
In a recent issue we encouraged our wonderful Retired & Senior Volunteers to let us know about any special hobbies, second careers or non-profits near and dear to their hearts  We had to prod a bit, but we knew there was a wonderful story in our own Volunteer Advisor Lou Murphy's work with Hero Dogs.
HeroDogsLogo
 
Founded in 2009 in Brookeville, MD, Hero Dogs is an entirely volunteer run organization that trains and places service dogs with military veterans who have been disabled/injured while serving in the US Armed Forces, at zero cost to the veterans.  
 
Audie Murphy & his brother Francis Scott Key
Audie Murphy & his brother Francis Scott Key
A Hero Dog can open doors, both literally and figuratively, for our heros. Lou tells us that in sponsoring Audie Murphy, a beautiful Yellow Lab born this summer, he helps pay for basic training, durable items such as bed, bowl and collars and vet bills. Sponsors can be individuals, families, groups or businesses, and payments can be spread out over the course of the puppy's training. Of course, any  support you could give this incredible organization - from money to in-kind donations to volunteering is gratefully accepted. Please visit their website to learn more about how you can help support America's wounded veterans.

(And for those of you who don't remember Audie Murphy, he was the most decorated US soldier of the second  World War. He came from unspeakable poverty, lied his way into the Army, became a movie star and spent his entire life supporting the underdog.  A fitting namesake for a puppy that will one day support a brave veteran.)  Call Hero Dogs at 1-888-570-8653 or send an email to find out how you can help. 
MC Libraries horiz
 
PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY 
PUBLIC LIBRARIES (MCPL)
  • Contemporary Short Stories at Kensington Park Library. Read and discuss short stories from The Art of the Story, edited by Daniel Halpern. Mondays, 4 sessions beginning February 13, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. 
  • Multicultural Lit and Cinema at Davis Library. Compare and contrast books, short stories and poems with film adaptations.  Mondays, 10 sessions beginning March 19, 2:00 - 4:30 pm. 
  • Re-Careering at 50+ at Germantown Library. This course is designed for the 50+ professional considering a career transition.  Wednesdays, 4 sessions beginning March 7, 2:00 - 4:00 pm.
(Click here for more information
 on the above programs.)  
  • AARP Senior Driver Safety Class at Marilyn J. Praisner Library on Saturday, December 17, 1 PM.  Learn how to avoid driving hazards.  Participants can receive a completion certificate after attending one 4-hour class.  Registration fee is $12 for AARP members, and $14 for non-members.  For information and to register, call 1-410-721-6593.
  • Montgomery College Lifelong Learning Institute is partnering with MCPL in a series of classes for 50+ at MCPL locations. Registration, tuition, fees are handled by Montgomery College. Click here, or call 240-567-5188.
LEARN MORE ABOUT
 FRAUD AGAINST SENIORS
 
The Maryland Insurance Administration has some pointers to help you avoid being taken advantage of while making an insurance purchase.
 
Be especially wary of unsolicited phone calls, high pressure tactics, anyone claiming to represent a government agency such as Medicare or Social Security.  The government does not sell insurance, and any agent or broker claiming to be associated with the government is breaking the law.  If you suspect fraud or would like more information, visit the Maryland Department of Aging here
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY
COMMISSION ON AGING
 RELEASES REPORT: Montgomery's Seniors in Poverty
  •  5.9% below Federal Poverty Line (FPL)
  • 18.3% below $25,000 in household income
  • 46.7% under $60,000 in household income (2008 Self-Sufficiency Wage data was $68,086)
  • Poverty disproportionately affects racial/ethnic minorities:
    • 3.6% white, non-Hispanic seniors below FPL
    • .2% African Americans
    • 9.9% Asian-Pacific Islanders
    • 14.6% Hispanic/Latino
  • Number and percent of clients below FPL receiving home delivered meals increased from 125 in FY2008 to 598 in FY2010.
For more information, go to the Commission on Aging website.
 2011 RETIREMENT & HEALTH POLL
conducted by Robert Johnson Wood Foundation, the Harvard School of Public Health and NPR:
 
Interested in the the perspective of those over 50 who will be shaping the nature of retirement, community, health and aging in the future? Click on the link to this report.
Keep up with the latest volunteer news & opportunities!
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In This Issue
Director's Letter
Agency Spotlight
Featured Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Spotlight
 

Military and Veterans Survey for Montgomery County

 

Please participate in the following survey if you are a Montgomery County military member, military family member or veteran. The survey is being conducted by the Montgomery County Veterans Collaborative Survey Committee. Please forward to Guard, Reserve and Active Duty units, post on Facebook or any other networking tools you use. The deadline is December 31, 2011.

 

Military/Veterans Survey


SENIOR DISCOUNTS IN OUR COMMUNITY
 
Thanks to Charles E. Smith Life Communities for compiling many of these discounts available to seniors throughout the DC metro region. Inclusion on this list is not a guarantee and does not represent an endorsement or our recommendation. 
 
Burger King - 10% off for seniors 60+   (www.burgerking.com)
 
Denny's Restaurant - in Gaithersburg 20% off daily, 2-6 pm with regular entree (www.dennys.com)
 
Kohl's - 62+ receive 15% off most merchandise and clothing every Wednesday (www.kohls.com)
 
NAMI Thrift Shop - every Tuesday seniors receive 50% off qualifying purchases
 
Wendy's - offers a senior (60+) drink program, your choice of a 16 oz drink, small coffee or small hot tea with any purchase.(www.wendys.com)
 

Bring bags  

A new County law regarding disposable (paper and plastic) carryout bags provided to customers at certain retail establishments will take effect on January 1, 2012.

 

Designed to improve our environment and reduce a significant source of litter, proceeds from the 5-cent charge per bag go to programs that fight litter and provide stormwater pollution control in Montgomery County.  A similar program has already reduced plastic bag litter in Washington, DC by an estimated 65%.

 

Get your free "Bring Your Bag" bag at County senior centers.

 

Learn more about the new law here. 

Quick Links 

 


YOU ASKED FOR MORE FREE, CLICKABLE, GAMES

 

SO WE FOUND THEM!

 

 www.aarp.org/games

 

Try solitaire, backgammon, beach Sudoku, and dozens more. We are especially fond of the amazingly addictive jigsaw puzzles - both easy and hard versions. 

 

 
 
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is part of the Office of Community Partnerships.  For more information on the Office of Community Partnerships and to sign up for the Partnerships Newsletter, please click here 
 
 Montgomery County Volunteer Center
751 Twinbrook Parkway
Rockville, Maryland 20851
FREE INCOME TAX PREPARATION BY TRAINED VOLUNTEERS
OFFERED AT VARIOUS SITES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY 
For Seniors and other Montgomery County Citizens with Low to Moderate Incomes.

 

Call for an appointment: 

240-777-2577

 

Scheduling Office Opens 

January 30, 2012

Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 3:30 pm

     

Sponsored by

 RSVP of Montgomery County, AARP and IRS.