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. . . Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, It's not.

~Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

March 2014 
Keep up with the latest Volunteer Center news and opportunities! 
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In This Issue:

    

Montgomery Serves Awards

Earth Day
 
  
 
  
 
  

Check out who has been spotlighted this week!  

Read more here

 

 Washington Gas 

Washington Gas Spotlight 

 

   Tell us how you are making a difference.  Submit your own Spotlight on our website. 

National Education Association's Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on 


March 2 -- Dr. Seuss's birthday! 

 

Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids, teens, and books.

Click here to find out more about World Water Day around the world.

 

Click here to find out about opportunities in our community that address water issues.

Bikes for the World
Learn about Volunteer Nights 
Intro to Volunteer Night at King Farm
 Bikes for the World
 
MLK Day of Service and Tribute 
MLK Day of Service and Tribute 2014
Thank you to Fund for Montgomery and Chair Keith Haller for this great video!
 
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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 msa
Montgomery Serves Awards Nominations Are In! 

Service AwardsThanks to all those who responded to the call!  We have received so many amazing nominations!  Nominations are being reviewed and award recipients will be announced in mid-March.  

 
Please join us in celebrating volunteerism in Montgomery County at the Montgomery Serves Awards ceremony at 6:30 PM on Monday, April 28, 2014 at Imagination Stage in Bethesda. The event is free and open to the public, although seating is limited and reservations are required.    

Click here to register now! 

This ceremony is organized by the Montgomery County Volunteer Center in collaboration with the Corporate Volunteer Council of Montgomery County and is sponsored by the Fund for Montgomery.   

 

Click here to find out more about this event and to see pictures and award recipients from last year.

 

We hope you will join us Monday, April 28th.      

Earth  Mark Your Calendars for
Earth Day 2014 
Earth Day 2013
Rock Creek Conservancy  Clean Up 2013

 

The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is promoting environmentally focused projects during the entire month of April as a time for volunteers to get engaged in celebrating Earth Day.  

  

 
Don't miss out on opportunities that happen
the first weekend of April!

 

Saturday, April 5th

Sunday April 6th
 
Even more opportunities will be highlighted in the April issue!
Spotlight
Agency Spotlight:
 
Women Who Care Ministries
Women Who Care logo
This year, Women Who Care Ministries (WWCM) celebrates 13 years being of service to the community.  Based in Montgomery Village, we are a faith-based nonprofit established to provide restoration to those in need through various safety net programs such as domestic violence prevention, working with the homeless and several food programs. 

Our mission is to "Help Hurting People Heal and Transition to a Brighter Day."  Our signature program is Helping Kids Eat, our Backpack Weekend Meal Program.  Each Friday, we currently provide over 1,700 food sacks filled with kid-friendly nutritious meals to low income children.  The kids are discreetly given these free food sacks at school to ensure they don't go hungry over the weekend.

 

Additionally, we recently launched the Montgomery Village Food Center.  We provide an emergency 3-5 day supply of food to families in need.  In addition to the food, we provide life skill workshops and other empowerment services geared towards helping our clients gain self-sufficiency.

 

WWCM is excited about our Spring Out Of Hunger Campaign which runs from March 1 through June 21, 2014.  We are seeking volunteers who have a heart to serve and enjoy helping kids and families eat.  The experience will be rewarding!

 

We welcome individuals, churches, community groups, businesses and nonprofits to volunteer with us by joining our Board, writing grants, answering phones, hosting food drives, preparing the food sacks, etc.  Click here to find out about volunteer opportunities or visit 

www.womenwhocareministries.org   

Women Who Care Ministries

As one volunteer stated, "I love volunteering with WWCM because they provide so many ways to make a difference in the lives of others!

 

 

 

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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.
 Vote
Future Vote - Program for Students

The Montgomery County Board of Elections is seeking school-age students, grades 6-12, to participate in its "Future Vote" program

 

Future Vote students will serve as Election Day student aides during the 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election on Tuesday, June 24th. Students and their guardians must attend mandatory training to participate in the Future Vote Program and, if applicable, students will receive Student Service Learning (SSL) credits. Most students work in precincts near their home. This initiative combines civic participation and the opportunity to observe democracy in action. Interested parents/guardians may register their student(s) before April 1st online by visiting the 

Montgomery County Board of Elections' website.

GoodDeedsGood Deeds Day

Good Deeds Day 2014

On April 6, 2014, for the third year in a row, the Greater Washington community will join Israel and countries from across the globe for a community day of service. Established in Israel in 2007, Good Deeds Day celebrates the value and importance of giving back to the community we live in.  The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington had 3,500 volunteers who took part in this initiative last year! This day will offer the entire community a variety of hands-on volunteer projects where they can roll up their sleeves to do a world of good right here in Greater Washington.  Find out more!

 SaveLife
Save a Life

Red Cross logo

The American Red Cross is asking eligible blood donors to help restock its shelves after severe winter weather slammed much of the Southeast and East Coast mid-February cancelling many donation appointments.

 

Donors of all blood types are currently needed. There is an urgent need for donors with blood types O negative, O positive, B negative and A negative.  Make an appointment today to donate blood or platelets. One donation can help save up to three lives.

 

Please visit us online at redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule your appointment to donate.

DocsDocs in Progress

Docs in Progress logo

Docs in Progress is in need of Summer Production Interns and Summer Youth Video Production Counselors.  The

Production Intern's role is to document the work of a small film arts nonprofit and provide teaching assistance to Docs In Progress staff and contract teaching artists for two youth summer camps in video production. This is an opportunity for upper level undergrads or grad students or emerging filmmakers to get real-world, hands-on experience both in production and media instruction.  Deadline to apply is March 15th.

 

Summer Youth Video Production Counselors are needed every summer to assist with video production courses for middle and high school students.  Docs in Progress seeks two high school students who already have video production experience to serve as camp counselors. SSL credit is available for this opportunity.  

DocsSave the Date
Giving Back to Veterans 

Serving Together logo Here at the Volunteer Center we get quite a few calls from folks who would like to volunteer to give back to veterans and military families.

While we do have several opportunities in our online database, we are committed to getting more organizations on board for interested volunteers to contact.  And there's a great opportunity coming up in May to learn more about these organizations and how you can help.

 

Veteran Resource & Community Volunteer Fair

Saturday, May 10, 2014

10 AM- 3 PM

Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom

Click here to learn more

 

In this fun and festive environment, meet face-to-face with lots of nonprofits. And this is family-friendly -- with free carousel rides and a puppet show for the kids!

And we will have a very popular service project on-site --making

paracord bracelets for  Operation Gratitude.

 

What a great way to spend a Saturday in May!

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!

 *****

SSL Icon March 8 
Muddy Branch Road Clean Up -  Muddy Branch Alliance adopted a mile-long stretch of Muddy Branch Road between West Side Drive and Diamondback Drive.  Help keep this roadside clean!
Contact: Meredith Strider at [email protected]

 

SSL IconMarch 15 -  Create an Edible Forest - Help WSSC plant native trees and shrubs that help provide food for wildlife and  remove invasive weeds that have been making it difficult for the wildflowers to bloom and therefore hard for birds to find food.

Contact: Kimberley Knox at 301-206-8233 or

[email protected]

Website: www.wsscwater.com

 

SSL Icon March 22 - Help at H2O Summit - Volunteers are needed to help WSSC and the Department of Environmental Protection at the H2O Summit.  Volunteers will help set up tables, chairs and displays as well as teach students about the environment with hands-on activities. Training provided on site.

Contact: Kimberley Knox at [email protected] or 
Ana Arriaza at  

 

SSL IconMarch 28-29 - Assist at Consignment Sale - Montgomery County Parents of Multiples needs volunteers to help at their annual consignment sale.  Volunteers in this fast-paced environment will help run the sale efficiently.

Contact: Katie Byrd at 240-285-7657 or 

[email protected]

Website: www.mcpom.org

 

SSL IconMarch 28 - Participate in Emergency Management Readiness Exercise - 300 volunteers are needed to help Montgomery County test their emergency response time.

Contact: Marianne Souders at 240-773-0061 or  

Website: http://mdchhs.com/forms/montgomery-county-cities-readiness-initiative-full-scale-exercise

 

SSL IconMarch 29 - Hains Point Clean Up - Join So What Else in cleaning up Hains Point in East Potomac Park.  500 volunteers are needed so spread the word!

Contact: Dave Silbert at  


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

  

  

Executive Assistant Needed -  Support the manager of Montgomery's Sister Cities program by helping with planning, scheduling, and outreach for this growing international nonprofit program.  Must have computer skills. Will work primarily from home, hours are flexible.
Contact: Dave Robbins at 240-777-2523 or [email protected]

Website: montgomerysistercities.org

  

SSL IconCompact Bikes for Overseas ShippingEvery Thursday, Bikes for the World needs help at King Farm processing bikes, taking off pedals and turning handlebars to be shipped overseas.

Contact: Yvette Hess at 703-740-7856 or [email protected]

Website: www.bikesfortheworld.org

  

E-Newsletter Editor/Writer - The Gilchrist Center for Cultural Diversity needs a volunteer to write and edit e-newsletter communications to keep the community informed and connected.  Computer experience is a must.

Contact: Dolores Ustrell-Roig at 240-777-4940 or

[email protected]

Website: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/gilchrist

  

SSL IconSunday Art Docent and Tour Guide -  Strathmore is seeking a Docent for the Mansion on Sundays.  A great opportunity for college students and Advanced Placement (AP) Art high school students to gain experience in an art-exhibiting institution. 

Contact: Phoebe Anderson-Dana at 301-581-5165 or [email protected]

Website: www.strathmore.org

  

Wish Story WriterDo you enjoy creative writing? Are you searching for an opportunity you can do from your own home or office, on your own schedule?  Interview Make-A-Wish families about their Wish experience and craft captivating stories that will be shared with others. 

Contact: Cara Montufar at 301-962-9474 x346 or  

Website: www.midatlantic.wish.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].