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"Volunteering has given me more than I could ever give back" 

~ Circle of Hope Volunteer

December 2013 
Keep up with the latest Volunteer Center news and opportunities! 
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In This Issue:

    

Holiday Giving
  
Quote of the Month 
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves"   
 

~James M. Barrie

Check out who has been spotlighted this week!  

Read more here

 

 Stone Ridge
Social Action Group

Stone Ridge Social Action Group   Tell us how you are making a difference.  Submit your own Spotlight on our website. 
Welcome to the new Volunteer Center newsletter 
subscribers who signed up at the 50+ Vital Living through Volunteering Workshop on November 19th at Bethesda Library.  Over 60 people attending this great event to learn about how to give back to their community!

 Donate your used vehicle to the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation. (ATF)  Provide public school automotive students with valuable educational experience; give yourself a tax deduction.  Contact 301-929-2164 or cars2donate.org

 

Students in the Montgomery County Students Automotive Trades Foundation (ATF) and Information Technology Foundation (ITF) will be selling used cars and computers that they have refurbished on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Damascus High School, from 9 am - 11 am

 

For more information on the cars that will be available, call Kelly Johnson at 301-929-219

December 5th is  
International
Volunteer Day! 
DC Diaper Bank

The DC Diaper Bank celebrated three years of incorporation on Sunday. The organization provides an average of 50,000 diapers to more than 1,500 families a month.

DC Diapers
DC Diaper Bank
 
Make a Difference 
Make a Difference highlights the contributions of stellar County volunteers and organizations that contribute positively to Montgomery County.
MAD Video
Click here for recent episodes. 
 
Watch this awesome video!
Montgomery County Volunteer Center 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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Give Back during the Holidays
 The Holiday Giving Project has been serving Montgomery County residents in need of additional help at the holidays for over 30 years.  With the help of individuals and groups the coalition of nonprofit agencies 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 [email protected] or visit A Wider Circle online at  www.awidercircle.org/HolidayGivingProject2013.pdf

 

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There are more ways to give back during the holidays.  

Share the Spirit!  Join The Holiday Project by becoming a friendly visitor to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and long term care facilities. Sing Christmas carols and distribute cards and gifts. Bring the spirit of a holiday to those who otherwise might not have a celebration.  

 

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Check out the Volunteer Center website for even more
ways to serve!

Spotlight
Agency Spotlight:
Circle of Hope
Circle of Hope
Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding provides equine assisted activities and therapy for persons with physical, mental, emotional and developmental challenges to enhance their quality of life.
  We provide individualized, goal-oriented equine assisted therapy and activities to augment traditional therapies.  Clients range from ages 3 to 70. 
  
A volunteer at Circle of Hope may perform many tasks depending on the need of the specific participant.  These tasks may include, but are not limited to:
  • Leading the horse or pony during the session 
  • Being a side aide during the session
  • Grooming horses or ponies 
  • Assisting with the setup and cleanup of arena 
  • Helping the riders with their helmets 
  • Greeting participants in the parking area and assisting (if needed) to the arena
  • Cleaning tack (bridles, saddles, and adaptive equipment)  

It is preferable for the volunteer to have had some contact with horses; however, Circle of Hope will train individuals for the various tasks related to horse handling and the equine assisted therapy session. 

 

We are also looking for volunteers to help in the office -- including a newsletter editor, special events directors, and a volunteer coordinator.  Click here to find out all the ways to get involved!  

"Volunteering has given me more than I could ever give back.  I love seeing "my" kids and "my" horses each week.  Circle of Hope has become an integral part of my life."
  
 

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Increase your agency's visibility and recruit more volunteers by being a featured Agency Spotlight. Send an email to [email protected]  for consideration.
MLKDay MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 20, 2014 
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is just around the corner. There are three great site already set for this annual Day of Service: 
  • Bethesda North Marriott Conference Center: 1 pm - 3 pm
  • Universities at Shady Grove: 10 am - noon
  • Silver Spring Civic Building: 10 am - noon 
    Silver Spring Site Hosted by (MCAC )Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

Each location will have a variety of activities to participate in such as making bag lunches for shelters, decorating cards for seniors and veterans, assembling personal care packages for shelters, packing Snow Day boxes for Meals on Wheels, and much more!  This is a great way for groups and families to work together.  Students can also receive Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.
 
Propose Projects! We are reaching out to organizations now to plan projects at these sites.  Does your nonprofit, community organization, or school club have a project that volunteers could paint, assemble, pack, or design that benefits others in the community? We may have money for materials to make your project a reality! Let us know about it by filling out this form
 
Check out photos from MLK  this past January.
 
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Continue in the celebration at the MLK Day Musical Tribute and Celebration at the Music Center at Strathmore

 

Monday, January 20, 2014 at 3:00 PM MLK Logo for Music Event  

 

Enjoy music and an Awards Presentation

Tickets will be available at www.strathmore.org closer to event date.

GOVS Award Winners
Photo from left: Anwar Masood, Rev. Kasey Kaseman, Special Honoree Tufail Ahmad, Izzy Patoka, Theresa Testoni, Special Honoree Naseem Mahdi, Special Honoree Ke Jian Lei from CASSA, Special Honoree Margaret Van Buskirk, Molly Callaway, Bruce Adams, and Kimberly Bloch-Rincan 
This year marks the 30th year a Maryland Governor has recognized volunteers from around the state at a special recognition event.  The 27 recipients reflect the diversity of Maryland and demonstrate its spirit of service. Over the past year, 1.3 million Marylanders helped tackle some of the major challenges facing the state by donating their time and energy.

The recipients were selected in 11 different categories including individual, organizational, and group volunteers. In addition, special recognition was given to individuals and groups celebrating significant accomplishments.  Awardees were honored on November 4th in Annapolis.

  

Congratulations to the 4 honorees from Montgomery County:

Tufail Ahmad, Naseem Mahdi, Chinese American Senior Services Association (CASSA), and Margaret Van Buskirk.  Click here to find out more about all the award winners.  

 MontCorps 
Join the Volunteer Center Team!
Vol Center Heart The Montgomery County Volunteer Center has two open part time/temporary paid staff positions! Are you ready to join our team?
  • Event Coordinator We are in need of an Event Coordinator to plan and execute the MLK Day of Service event at the Universities at Shady Grove on January 20th which includes a variety of service projects open to the community.  This position requires coordinating the overall event and specifically includes organizing family friendly service projects.  Click here for more information.  Position is to start immediately and continues through January.
  • Montgomery Corps positionMontgomery Corps members serve for one year in a part time (20 hour a week) paid position. They commit to making Montgomery County a better place for all its residents. Three open positions with a start date of January 6, 2014 have responsibilities at:

    Language Bank in Rockville: Help manage a group of volunteer interpreters and translators.
    Mid-County Regional Center in Wheaton: Help with immigrant classes at Gilchrist Center and work with Regional Center director on community outreach. 

    Volunteer Center in Germantown: work with us on increasing access to volunteerism and supporting the needs of our nonprofits.  Click here to find out more.

FeaturedFeatured Volunteer Opportunities

onetimeOne-time Volunteer Opportunities   calendar icon

Check the Calendar for more opportunities!

 

SSL Icon
Denotes opportunities that are approved to provide MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours.  Many are still great opportunities for adults too!

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Throughout December - Gift Wrapping FundraisersHelp wrap gifts and collect donations on behalf of various nonprofits at Barnes and Noble.

 

SSL Icon

December 7 - Fletcher's Cove Clean Up Join Potomac Conservancy at Fletcher's Cove to clean up the picnic area and surrounding trails.
Contact: Rebecca Long at 301-608-1188 x 215 or [email protected]
Website: www.potomac.org 

 

SSL Icon December 14 Winter's Eve Event Glen Echo Park needs volunteers for annual event which features arts/craft activities and games for the families.  Help with set up/clean up, decorating,  and assisting with crafts.

Contact: Jackson Frazier at 301-634-2233

 

SSL Icon December 26-27 Holiday Basketball Tournamen CKA/SAVE Project is looking for student volunteers to assist with the Holiday Basketball Tournament at Paint Branch High School.

Contact: Keith Adams at 301-996-4333

Website: www.ckasaveproject.com

 

SSL IconDecember 31- Garden of Lights at Brookside Event 

Volunteers help young Garden of Lights visitors celebrate New Year's Eve with face painting, crafts and music. 
Contact: Jodi Bucknam at 301-962-1429

or [email protected]

Website: www.mc-mncppc.org/parks/brookside


 OngoingSelected Ongoing Opportunities Helping Hands
SSL Icon
Denotes opportunities that are approved to provide MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours.

  

Bingo Callers Needed CHI Centers needs volunteers for bingo program on Tuesday and Saturday nights from 7 PM until 10 PM. Serve as cashiers, bingo callers, and help sell games.  Join in on the fun!
Contact: BJ Davis at 301-445-3350 or [email protected]

 

SSL Icon
Donation Sorters Sort through donated items and put them away at Stepping Stones Shelter . Help keep items organized and well stocked. Flexible hours between 9 AM - 5 PM, some weekends.

Contact: Liz Trabucco at 301-251-0567  or [email protected]

Website: www.steppingstonesshelter.org

 

Junior Achievement Teacher in Middle SchoolsStarting January we are looking for volunteer to teach Junior Achievement's well-developed curriculum in classrooms. 

Contact: Jeni Pastier at 301-838-0471 or [email protected]

Website: www.myJA.org

 

SSL IconRecreation AideAssist Montgomery Village recreation staff in providing leisure activities to all age groups; assist in leading sports, games or crafts; and assist with set up/breakdown of activity area.
Contact: Melanie Maggi at 301-948-0110 or [email protected]

Become a MentorInterfaith Works seeks adults to serve as mentors to provide adolescents in low-income or single parent homes with tutoring, as a role model and a friend. 
Contact:  D'Ivonne Holman at 301-525-2624 
Website:  www.iworksmc.org
  
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.orgIf 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 [email protected].