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Keep up with the latest Volunteer Center news and opportunities!
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Governor's Volunteer Appreciation Day at the Maryland State Fair
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Governor Martin O'Malley extends an invitation to all Marylanders involved in volunteer service to spend a fun-filled Sunday at the Maryland State Fair on August 26th in Timonium, MD. The Governor's Volunteer Appreciation Day is presented by the Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism and the Maryland State Fair. All volunteers, friends, and family are welcome!
Rain Date: September 2nd
Get your discount passes here. |
Friends of the Library 30th Anniversary Celebration
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 Join the Friends of the Library for
on Sunday, October 21 as they celebrate 30 years of advocating for public libraries to help enrich the lives of the community. Join the fun and enjoy a catered BBQ buffet, mini golf, a hayride, square dancing, pumpkin decorating, and more!
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Do Something Seed Grants to Help Bring Ideas into Action
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Are you working to start a
community action project or program? Do you need
money to put your ideas into action? If you answered, "YES!", you are eligible to apply for a Do Something Seed Grant.
These grants can be used towards project ideas and programs that are just getting started, or to jump-start your program and realize your ideas for the first time.
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Watch this awesome video!
 | | Montgomery County Volunteer Center Video |
Thank you to Montgomery Community Media for producing this fabulous video for the Volunteer Center!
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"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Make a Difference highlights the contributions of stellar County volunteers and organizations that contribute positively to Montgomery County.
Click here for recent episodes. |
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For our online calendar of opportunities,
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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.
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Privacy is important to us; therefore, we will not sell, rent, or give your name or address to anyone. At any point, you can select the link at the bottom of every email to unsubscribe.
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| County-Wide School Supply Drives! |
The stores are stocked for back to school! There's still time to donate much needed school supplies before the start of the school year. The following organizations are accepting donations now and will soon be preparing them for distribution.
The greatest need for school supplies are backpacks, loose leaf paper, pencils, highlighters, markers, colored pencils, binders, pencil pouches, pens, and glue sticks. Supplies are collected through August, in time to have them ready for the start of the school year. Note specific end dates for the different programs.
Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless
What: New backpacks, calculators and 2" binders
When: Now until August 6th
Where: 600-B East Gude Drive, Rockville, Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm.
Questions: Teri Brenits at 301-217-0314 x120 or teri@mcch.net
Faith Connections and Damascus HELP
What: Backpacks and school supplies
When: Donations are appreciated by August 12th
Where: Damascus/Clarksburg area
Questions: Jennifer Settlemire at 301-253-9624 or 240-388-6373 or Jennifer.settlemire@verizon.net
International Rescue Committee Silver Spring
What: School supplies
When: Friday August 17th from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: 8719 Colesville Road, Silver Spring 20910
Questions: Dana Henderson at 301-562-8633 x227 or dana.henderson@rescue.org
Interfaith Works
What: School Supplies
When: Now until August 30th
Where: 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville
Questions: Sabrina Wilson at 301-424-3796 or swilson@iworksmc.org
Montgomery County Public Schools
What: Backpacks filled with school supplies or monetary donations to sponsor filled backpacks (just under $10 per student)
When: Now until August 17th
Where: 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 50 Rockville or PayPal
Questions: Gail Woolf at 301-517-5066 or gail_s_woolf@mcpsmd.org
Panera Bread
What: Backpacks
When: Now until August 15th
Where: Any Montgomery County Panera Bread
When you bring a new backpack to Panera you will receive a $10 Panera gift card. Supplies will be distributed through the Housing Opportunities Commission which provides affordable housing and supportive services for low- and moderate-income families and individuals throughout the county. |
Agency Spotlight:
JCA Heyman Interages Center
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 The JCA Heyman Interages Center has been bringing the generations together in Montgomery County for over 25 years. The mission of Interages is to create a more age-integrated community by promoting improved communication, understanding, and quality of life for adults and youth. We provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for people of all ages and invite you to get involved with our programs during the 2012-2013 school year.
Here are a few examples of how you can make a difference as an Interages volunteer: For people ages 50 and better:
- Contribute your skills and wisdom to help students from Pre-K through High School improve academically, socially, and emotionally
- Choose from literacy programs, intercultural groups, math clubs, discussion circles, and much more
- Volunteer just one daytime hour a week at a school near you - we have locations from Takoma Park to Gaithersburg!
For people of all ages:
- Use your creativity to connect the generations. Plan and lead craft projects, group games, writing workshops, and music & dance programs that students and residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities can enjoy together
- Help seniors feel pampered for a day by coordinating a makeover program involving adult day care participants and high school cosmetology students
For students:
- Make regular visits to an older adult in your community as a Grandbuddy volunteer. You'll engage in friendly conversation, crafts, and games with an older adult looking for companionship - all while earning SSL hours!
Want to learn more? Visit the Interages Volunteer Open House on Wednesday, September 5, 2012, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The event will be held at the JCA office, which is located at 12320 Parklawn Drive in Rockville. Can't make it to the Open House? Contact Tricia Wilson at 301-949-3551 or twilson@AccessJCA.org for more information about volunteering with Interages. _____________________________________ Increase your agency's visibility and recruit more volunteers by being a featured Agency Spotlight. Send an email to fern.carbonell@montgomerycountymd.gov for consideration. |
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The Mental Health Association is looking for applicants to become dedicated volunteers for the Montgomery County Hotline. The MC Hotline is a 24-hour, 7 day a week service that provides telephone supportive listening, facilitation of problem solving, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and information and resources to Montgomery County residents and concerned friends and family.
Trained volunteers answer calls for the Montgomery County Hotline, Youth Crisis Hotline, and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Hotline works closely with the Montgomery County Crisis Center as part of a continuum of services to Montgomery County residents.
Volunteers are required to attend a training that is accredited by the American Association of Suicidology. A time commitment is required.
The Hotline is a great way to give back to the community. Make a difference in your life and the lives of others!
The next training will begin on Monday August 13, 2012. For more information and to receive an application please contact Amy Regalado at 301-424-0656 ext.516 or email hotline@mhamc.org.
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On July 25, A Wider Circle received the 2012 Non-Profit Award from the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce. This award exemplifies the community's commitment and encouragement of the work that A Wider Circle does on behalf of those born, raised, and educated in poverty.
 The work continues, even after the evening of awards and recognition. A Wider Circle is launching a campaign called Our Olympian Effort, which provides opportunities for everyone to participate in their efforts to end hunger. Find out how you can be a part of Our Olympian Effort here.
You can help now at one of the upcoming drives by emailing lucy@awidercircle.org. Help collect healthy non-perishable food, school supplies, and linens/household goods at area supermarkets. The Olympics run from July 27th - August 12th, and on the last weekend (Saturday, August 11th and Sunday August 12th) they will stay open from 8:00 am until midnight to receive donated items.
Learn more about A Wider Circle and view other volunteer opportunities here. |
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Save the Date for Montgomery County's Community Service Day,  Saturday, October 27, 2012. Projects will be available the week of October 22nd-28th! If you are looking for a volunteer project, a list of opportunities will be posted on our website in the coming weeks!
We are also looking for community groups, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to start planning their projects now for the week of October 22nd-28th! A project can be anything from a stream clean-up to organizing a food drive to rebuilding park fences. If you are planning your own project tell us about it by filling out the Community Service Week Project Idea Form.
For questions contact Katie Sayago at servicedays@montgomerycountymd.gov or call 240-777-2600.
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| Help Adults Learn English
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Attend an upcoming information session
The Literacy Council of Montgomery County will hold information sessions for volunteers interested in helping adults learn to read, write, or speak English in the months of August and October. Please check the schedule for the most convenient day for you.
Once volunteers have completed the orientation, they can select a two-part training session that fits their schedules. No foreign language skills are necessary. Tutors work one-on-one or with small groups, and typically meet with students in libraries or community centers at mutually convenient times. For complete details, call 301-610-0030, email info@literacycouncilmcmd.org or visit www.literacycouncilmcmd.org. |
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Regional Day of Service
September 29, 2012
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Save the date for the Regional Day of Service to be held on September 29, 2012. Governor O'Malley, Governor McDonnell of Virginia, Governor Tomblin of West Virginia, and Mayor Gray of Washington, DC have committed to bring together members from all faiths to participate in a region-wide day of service. For more informatin, go to www.daytoserve.org |
| Neighbors Stand Together! Tour |
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Interfaith Works is holding an information session to educate the  public on the state of poverty and homelessness in Montgomery County on Tuesday, August 14th from 5:00 pm - 6:15 pm. Find out how Interfaith Works brings together people of diverse faiths to help our neighbors in need.
Join the Neighbors Stand Together! Tour and invite your friends, family, and colleagues! Find out how to get a tour at your church or place of business and also to RSVP for the event by contacting Kaylan Somerville at ksomerville@iworksmc.org or call 301-315-1096. |
| Featured Volunteer Opportunities |
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One-Time Volunteer Opportunities
Check the August Calendar for the latest opportunities.
 Denotes opportunities that are approved to provide MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours.
August 3 - Bike to Beach for Autism Speaks Volunteering. So What Else will be assembling a team of volunteers to help unload bikes and provide water and food for bikers at a point over the Bay Bridge to support Autism Speaks. (students get no hours for travel) This is an annual event and we at So What Else are excited to work with volunteers to support their cause for the third year in a row!
Website: http://www.sowhatelse.org
August 5 - Spanish Speaking Volunteers for Latino Health Fair. MobileMed has been serving the uninsured and low-income Montgomery County residents for over 40 years. Come out and help the community at our Latino Health Fair in Wheaton on Sunday, August 5th! The following volunteers are needed: 2 licensed nurses (fluent in Spanish) to do basic health evaluations for some of the population and encourage them to take advantage of the healthcare MobileMed provides. 2 certified MAs (fluent in Spanish) to help check vitals, etc. 2 general volunteers (fluent in Spanish) to stand at our table and provide interested passes-by with brief information about us and what we do and hand out any materials we have. Each volunteer shift is for 3 hours.
August 23 - Comcast Outdoor Film Festival. This three day festival will feature films on the big screen at Mid-Pike Plaza. Volunteers are needed to assist with donations, raffle ticket sales, food vendor assistance, and general festival activities. The free festival benefits the three NIH Charities: The Children's Inn, Special Love, and Friends of the Clinical Center. This is a great chance to get involved in an event that raises much needed funds for three great Charities. Website: http://www.recgov.org/r&w/r&w.htmlContact: Randy Schools at 301-402-6493
September 11 - Food Collection Assistants. We are looking for volunteers to man the collection and packaged goods box at Shoppers Food Warehouse at Glenmont. We need adult volunteers from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm to cover several shifts at two entrances. Contact: Larry White at 301-929-8434. View the August Volunteer Calendar. Do you have a great volunteer story to tell? Share your story with a paragraph and a photo. Tell how you're making an impact in your community! Stories will be displayed throughout our website. Click here to read some Success Stories. Search for more volunteer opportunities here! |
| Selected Ongoing Opportunities
Denotes opportunities that are approved to provide
MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours
Student Book Reviewers - Students in middle and high school are needed to write reviews of books they have read. Reviews are posted on the Takoma Park Library "Books" blog. This position requires good writing skills, plus critical thinking skills. These are reviews, NOT book reports, so we want only a bit of plot summary and lots of discussion -- and specific examples -- about why the book is/is not good, how other teen readers would relate to the story and characters, etc. Guidelines for writing the reviews will be provided.
Website: http://www.cityoftakomapark.org/library
Contact: Karen MacPherson at 301-891-7262
Bag Lunch Preparer - Prepare and deliver bag lunches or hot meals to the Men's Emergency Shelter. Volunteers provide all necessary supplies. The lunches are given to residents as they leave the shelter each day. If you would like to make a meal donation, contact to schedule and feed hungry County residents.
Website: http://www.mcch.net
Contact: Naira Mardukhayeva at 301 -917-6658
Children's Program Helper - Volunteers will help prepare materials (i.e. crafts) for children's craft programs, which are usually held on Monday nights or Saturday afternoons. The programs are offered occasionally, usually focused on doing crafts for a particular holiday, i.e. Mother's Day. The volunteers also will help set up for the program, participate as helpers in the programs and then help clean up.
Website: http://www.cityoftakomapark.org/library
Contact: Karen MacPherson at 301-891-7262
Find more opportunities here. |
The best place to start searching for volunteer opportunities is the Center's website www.montgomeryserves.org. If the information on our website doesn't answer your questions, or you need help finding volunteer opportunities or exploring volunteering options, contact us via email at volunteer@montgomerycountymd.gov.
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