The Holiday Giving Project has been serving Montgomery County residents in need of additional help at the holidays for over 30 years. Individuals and families are referred by social service agencies, schools, and health professionals  through a secure database. A coalition of nonprofit agencies divide the county's zip codes and take responsibility for meeting the needs of persons referred within their zip code. With the help of individuals and groups, the coalition is able to provide holiday meals, holiday baskets, gift cards, toys, and much more.  A Wider Circle serves as the coordinating service agency for the Montgomery County Holiday Giving Project.  

In recent years, the coalition has served over 7,000 families in a single holiday season.  Donations are needed to make the holidays brighter for our neighbors in need. Here's how you can help: 

• Donate new toys
• Donate grocery cards
• Organize a food, toy or gift card drive
• Sponsor a family in your area
• Make a holiday food basket

For more information, contact Susan Klavon, Program Coordinator  at 240-687-9629 or email holidays@awidercircle.org or visit A Wider Circle online at awidercircle.org/holidays.html

A Day ON, Not a Day OFF!
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service
Monday, January 21, 2013

9:00 am - 11:00 am

 

 

For the past eleven years, A Wider Circle has been providing the necessities of life to our area's most vulnerable citizens. Thousands and thousands of children and adults who were previously living without beds in which to sleep - or any of the items most of us take for granted - are now living in fully furnished homes, with their dignity and hope restored, thanks to volunteers of all ages in Montgomery County. Families from communities in every part of the County have donated items and many others have gone out on trucks to collect the items or worked at A Wider Circle's Center for Community Service to help families we serve to select their new items. Still more volunteers have taught life skills and professional development classes as part of A Wider Circle's educational programming - an additional way that the organization seeks to help families lift themselves out of poverty. This program will expand further with opening of our Center for Professional Development on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

 

As 2012 comes to a close, the opportunities to serve are many. Whether individuals or families want to help with holiday giving or be paired with families needing long-term support, or join the staff and other volunteers out on the trucks or at the Center. There is certainly something for everyone. Click here for all the opportunities to help.  

 

Volunteers of all ages are welcome! At A Wider Circle, you will find that "regular" volunteers range in age from five to ninety-five, and all are making significant contributions to the community.  It's a great place for students to earn their Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.  For more information, please email volunteer@awidercircle.org.

 

 

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.

Jconnect December Holiday Volunteering

There are many ways to volunteer during the December holiday season, including the Washington DC Jewish Community Center's D25 Day of Service. Click here to fill out a request form for our detailed listing.  

Light Up Chanukah with Jewish Foundation for Groups Homes December 9-16, 2012

Super-charge your Chanukah experience by visiting one of the Group Homes in Gaithersburg, Potomac, Rockville, or Silver Spring,  each with 4 to 6 adult residents with developmental disabilities.  You would truly be bringing light and joy into the homes by lighting candles, reciting the blessings, singing songs and playing dreidel or cooking Chanukah treats together with the JFGH residents. It promises to be one of your most enjoyable Chanukah memories.  Families with children welcome.
Contact: Katie Carroll at 240-283-6026 or kcarroll@jfgh.org to sign up. 

Interfaith Clothing Center in Rockville is a busy place.  Open six days a week, they gratefully receive donations of gently used clothing and household goods to distribute free of charge to low-income residents of Montgomery County.  In December, the activity level jumps as folks clean out their closets to get their donations in by the end of the year.

Why not volunteer a few hours during your winter break to help get these donations sorted and out on the racks for those in need?  For students, it's a great way to earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.  It's perfect for families or groups. And it feels to so good to know you are helping others less fortunate, particularly with the cold winter upon us.

Click here to learn more about this and other opportunities at Interfaith Clothing Center.

Interfaith Clothing Center is a program of Interfaith Works. 

 

 

December 8 - Helping the Azaleas to Thrive

Weeds are smothering the azalea bushes at lovely Brighton Dam in Brookeville! Come remove the weeds so the azaleas will bloom in the spring.  Lots of volunteers of all ages are needed from 9:00 am - noon.  Great for families and groups.

Contact: Kimberly Knox, 301-206-8233

Website: www.wsscwater.com

  December 8 to 24 - Gift Wrapper at Lakeforest Mall  

Please join Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic this Holiday Season for a fun way to get everyone into the holiday spirit by giving back to the community! From December 8th to December 24th, Make-A-Wish is hosting a gift wrapping fundraiser at Lakeforest Mall in Gaithersburg, MD. The goal is to raise enough money to grant ONE WISH! Volunteers are needed to wrap presents during this wonderful two week-long event. 

Contact: Janet Hughes, 301-962-9474 x342 

Website: www.midatlantic.wish.org   

 Denotes opportunities that are approved to provide 

MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours.

  Volunteer Writer/Story Teller/Information Gatherer - 

 Arena Volunteers - Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and health of children and adults with disabilities through equine assisted activities and therapies. Volunteer are needed to work with the horses and participants. Each therapy session requires a team of three volunteers: one to lead the horse and two to work as side aides to assist and maintain the safety of the participant. In therapeutic riding sessions, a volunteer has the opportunity to work directly with participants, and contribute to their individual success. Training is required and is provided to all volunteers. The training sessions focus on the importance of safety and therapy protocol. 

 Visit with Seniors at Sunrise At Fox Hill - Want an opportunity to serve the seniors in your community? Volunteers can help call BINGO, spend time talking with residents, play board games, and help with seated activities. An orientation (1 hour long) is required to learn more about the community and the residents.

Contact: Jennifer Weber, 301-968-1853
Website: www.sunriseseniorliving.com 

Search for more volunteer opportunities here!