|
Keep up with the latest Volunteer Center news and opportunities!
|
Manna Food Center is partnering with Whole Foods Market in a "Stuff-the-Truck" event on Saturday, May 11, from 11 am - 6 pm at all five Whole Foods Stores in Montgomery County.
Food goes to support Manna's Smart Snacks program which provides more than 2,000 children with backpacks full of food so they have food on the weekends when they don't have a school meal available.
Get more details here!
***********************
Celebrate Manna Food Center's 30 years of service on June 5 at their
Community
Appreciation Day!
There will be games, live music, and great food. The event is free but registration is required.
|
Come visit the Volunteer Center and RVSP table at these upcoming community events in May.
************************
Monday, May 6, 9AM-2PM Aging ExpoBohrer Park, Gaithersburg ********************** Friday, May 17, 10AM-3PM 50+ ExpoBethesda North Marriott Conference Center |
Make a Difference highlights the contributions of stellar County volunteers and organizations that contribute positively to Montgomery County.
Click here for recent episodes. |
|
Watch this awesome video!
 | | Montgomery County Volunteer Center Video |
Thank you to Montgomery Community Media for producing this fabulous video for the Volunteer Center!
|
"We have but one life. We get nothing out of that life except by putting something into it. To relieve suffering, to help the unfortunate, to do kind acts and deeds is, after all, the one sure way to secure happiness or to achieve real success. Your life and mine shall be valued not by what we take...but by what we give."
~Edgar "Daddy" Allen
Founder of Easter Seals
|
|
For our online calendar of opportunities,
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
|
 Montgomery Serves Awards Highlights! |
(l. to r.) Odessa Shannon, Marcine Goodloe, Robert Zagorski, Alfredo Colina Iturralde, Carol Trawick, Joyce Siegel, Claire Nakashima Nelson, Teresa Rios Wright, Lorna Forde, and Dr. LaWanda Peace
Congratulations to all the award winners of the Montgomery Serves Awards! It was an amazing night. Montgomery County celebrated the outstanding work of many of its volunteers and community leaders.
On Monday, April 29th people from all over the County came together to celebrate volunteer service in Montgomery County at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. Click here for coverage of the event by Montgomery Community Media.
The 2013 Montgomery Serves Awards recognize special volunteer accomplishments during the 2012 calendar year in four categories: Alfredo Colina Iturralde was selected in the youth category; MedImmune in the business service category; Robert Zagorski for community service by an individual; and the Montgomery County Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for community service by a group.
Marcine D. Goodloe and Joyce B. Siegel received the Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award. Goodloe was nominated for her more than 40 years of service as a tireless advocate of fire and rescue issues at the County, state and federal level. Siegel was nominated for this award based on her work addressing housing issues of the poor in Montgomery County. Siegel was a driving force in the movement to revitalize the Scotland neighborhood, a historically African American community in Potomac.
The County Executive also presented Odessa Shannon, Carol Trawick and Teresa Rios Wright with the Roscoe R. Nix Distinguished Community Leadership Award.
Shannon worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and has an opportunity to thrive. Trawick has devoted her time, talent and resources to serving others and promoting the arts. Wright has been the heart and soul of a network of community organizations and government agencies dedicated to making Montgomery County one of the nation's most immigrant friendly communities.
|
| Agency Spotlight: The Literacy Council of Montgomery County |
 Established in 1963, the Literacy Council of Montgomery County (LCMC) is an independent nonprofit organization that provides free and low-cost programs in adult Basic Literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL). Our mission is to transform the lives of adults by teaching language proficiency, building life skills, and fostering community involvement.
LCMC serves 1500 adult learners annually. Our students come from 93 countries. Our programs include one-on-one tutoring, ESL classes, English for Daily Living classes for parents of elementary school students, computer-based instruction, English conversation classes, workplace literacy, and online GED preparation.
In Montgomery County, approximately 135,000 residents (1 in 7) are limited in their ability to communicate in English. In addition, over 58,000 adults do not have a high school diploma and many are unable to read and write above a fourth grade level. There are currently over 200 prospective students on LCMC's waiting list.
The Literacy Council is seeking volunteer tutors to work one-on-one or with small groups. No foreign language skills are necessary. Tutors meet with students in libraries or community centers at mutually convenient times. LCMC provides tutor training workshops, teaching material, and ongoing support. For more information about tutoring, please call 301-610-0030 or click here.
Volunteers are needed to become tutors but also helping with fundraising and social media. Click here for more information on volunteer opportunities with the Literacy Council.
**********************************************************
Increase your agency's visibility and recruit more volunteers by being a featured Agency Spotlight. Send an email to volunteer@montgomerycountymd.gov for consideration.
|
 Thousands of volunteers worked on projects all around Montgomery County throughout April in honor of Earth Day. Volunteers participated in weed pull, park/stream clean ups, nursery
maintenance, and recycling events.
Looking for ways to stay involved in environmental opportunities? The Alice Ferguson Foundation is looking for people to join their Trash Monitoring Program. This program provides important data about litter that will be critical in guiding new policies, tracking changes in litter, and identifying new highly polluted hotspots.
By attending one of the training sessions, you will have the materials and information you need to become a Monitor of the watershed. You will be asked to adopt a site and conduct monitoring at least quarterly. You can choose a site near you, or we can provide recommendations.
Upcoming Trainings
- May 8 - Alice Ferguson Foundation's DC Office, 6:30pm
- May 18 - Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library (VA), 10am
To RSVP or for more information call 202-973-8203 or email potomaccleanup@fergusonfoundation.org.
|
|
Each May, Americans recognize Mental Health Month with events and activities in communities across the country. The theme for Mental Health Month this year is "Get Connected" to emphasize the important role of social relationships in protecting and improving mental health and building resiliency.
Volunteer and "Get Connected"
|
|
Volunteering at summer camps are the perfect way for students to get out and have fun while earning Student Service Learning (SSL) hours. Check out some that are happening this summer!
Day Camp Counselor - Seven Locks Baptist Church
Therapeutic Summer Camps- MC Therapeutic Recreation
*There is a fee for summer camp placement
Girl Scout Summer Camps
*June 17-21, 9AM - 4PM, Camp BlueBird, Brookeville, MD
Contact: Stephanie Boyle, sboyle@gscnc.org, 202-534-3798
*June 24-28, 9AM - 3PM, Camp Phoenix, Gaithersburg, MD
Contact: Tonia Lafond, TLafond@gscnc.org, 202-274-3323
*August 5-9, 9AM - 4PM, Camp Forest Glen, Brookeville, MD
Contact: Lynn Thompson, lthompson@gscnc.org, 202-534-3763
Click here for more summer camp opportunities!
|
Every year since 1963, May has been the month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their contributions and achievements. It is a proud tradition that shows our nation's commitment to honor the value that elders continue to contribute to our communities.
This year's Older Americans Month theme, "Unleash the Power of Age!", emphasizes the important role of older adults. This May, communities across the nation will recognize older Americans as productive, active, and influential members of society.
Consider joining RSVP, a nationwide network of volunteers age 55+. This Senior Corps program is free to join and provides assistance in finding an ideal volunteer opportunity with any of 40 different nonprofit organizations and government agencies in Montgomery County. Additionally, there is free supplemental automobile, liability, and injury insurance while volunteering as well as volunteer recognition events.
RSVP of Montgomery County currently has 550 active members, ranging in age from 55 to 102, who provided more than 97,000 volunteer hours last year. Read more about it in the Spring edition of the Senior Gazette.
Don't forget to check out the Aging Expo on May 6th and the 50+ Expo on May 11th.
|
Kudos to JCA Heyman Interages
Best Intergenerational Communities Awards |
MetLife Foundation and Generations United presented four communities with the 2013 MetLife Foundation/Generations United Best Intergenerational Communities Award. The award is intended to heighten awareness of the important role that intergenerational solidarity plays in building strong, vibrant communities. And Montgomery County, MD, was selected for honoring diversity and engaging the generations.
 Featuring prominently in this award is JCA Heyman Interages Center. JCA Heyman Interages Center established intergenerational programs that are provided through the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Public Schools and other county organizations. Programs include older adults mentoring immigrant students, a shared adult and child day care facility, interactive activities in senior facilities, intergenerational arts and tutoring and much more. Click here to see volunteer opportunities with JCA Heyman Interages Center. For more on this award click here to see the 2013 Publication.
|
| Featured Volunteer Opportunities |
|
One-time Volunteer Opportunities
Check the May Calendar for more opportunities!
Denotes opportunities that are approved to provide MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours
*****
 May 11 - Walk-a-thon - Volunteers and walkers needed at the CureSearch Walk for Cancer. Support children and their families who have been touched by cancer.
Contact: Zachary Feuerherd at 301-275-1705 or email
zachary.feuerherd@curesearch.org
Website: www.curesearchwalk.org
May 18 - Gaithersburg Book Festival - Help is need at this annual event. Opportunities include Author Pavilion managers/assistants, manning the Information Tents, escorting authors to their presentations and book signings, greeting festival visitors, assisting with Children's Village activities, signing in volunteers, setting-up and breaking-down and many more.
Contact: Sheila Bouley at sbouley@gaithersburgmd.gov
Website: gaithersburgbookfestival.org
May 18t & 19th - Olney Days - This weekend long festival is in need of volunteers with a variety of tasks including setting up the event, assisting with games and activities, managing "Olney Idol", directing parking, and more.
Contact: Jackie Benn at 301-260-9483 or relaybenns@verizon.net
Website: www.goca.org
May 18 - Joe's Ride and Stride - Part of "Olney Days" this event is a 45K,30K, and 10K bike ride, a 5K walk, and a bike rodeo for young children which supports organizations that help children afflicted with illness and disabilities. Volunteers are needed to help riders sign-in, get rider packets and refreshments, helping at water stations, teach children bike safety at the bike rodeo, and help clean up the parking lot at the end of the event.
Contact: Anita Brady at 301-943-6902 or akbrady@aol.com
Website: www.goca.org
June 1st & 2nd - Washington Folk Festival - During the festival, help is needed with stage crews, information booths, parking, performer food service, trash patrols, theater ushers, volunteer and performer check-in, t-shirt sales, and many more tasks.
Contact: Dwain Winters at 301-526-8558 or dwainfest@aol.com
Website: www.washingtonfolkfestival.org
|
Selected Ongoing Opportunities
Denotes opportunities that are approved to provide MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours.
Contact: Volunteer Desk, 301-962-1429
Tutor for Take Flight, Inc. - Help students succeed in school by volunteering as a Tutor. Provide tutoring service to one or more students in one or more academic subjects or in organizational or life skills
Contact: Paul Williams at 240-839-1848 or paul@takeflightinc.org Website: www.takeflightinc.org
Computer Instructor - Rockville Library is looking for tutors to work one-on-one with community members, as well as teach small classes to learn how to use the Internet including using social media, creating a document, saving materials, applying for jobs, etc. Volunteers should be comfortable working with a very diverse population. A basic knowledge of computers, Microsoft applications and the Internet use is all that is required. Needs a commitment of 2-3 hours a week or more - weekdays (10am - 9pm) and Fridays and Saturdays (10am - 6pm).
Contact: Uzoma Onyemaechi at 240-777-0152 or uzoma.onyemaechi@montgomerycountymd.gov
Website: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/library
Bingo! at The Village at Rockville - Back by popular demand - Tuesday Night Bingo EVERY WEEK at 6:30pm! This has been a best seller for volunteers to assist residents by calling the numbers, passing out prizes and escorting residents to the game.
Contact: Susannah Brooks at 301-424-9560 ext 17601 or sbrooks@thevillageatrockville.org
Website: www.thevillageatrockville.org
Docents and Teen Ambassadors - The National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution is seeking volunteers to lead tours. The are also recruiting teens for Portraits Alive! Teen Ambassador Program. Application deadline for the teen program is May 20. Contact: provostg@si.edu
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!
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
