Volunteer Opportunities: July 31

Many Volunteer positions are available through the Volunteer Center For Anne Arundel County. If you do not see an opportunity below that fits your needs, contact the Volunteer Center at info@volunteerannearundel.org or 410-897-9207. Check their Website www.VolunteerAnneArundel.org. A few current volunteer opportunities are listed below.

Alzheimers Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit organization which seeks to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through advancement of research, to enhance care and support for individuals, their families and caregivers, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. A variety of Volunteer Opportunities  are available throughout the year including: office & clerical assistance including data entry and mailings, community outreach representative’s including those to attend Health Fairs and speakers, helpline specialist, and family support group facilitators. In addition, volunteers are needed to assist with fundraising events such asthe following:

• 8:00-Noon, am, Sat., Sept. 29, 2012, Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Friendly, outgoing volunteers, age 15 and up, are needed for a variety of positions before, during and after the walk which is being held at Centennial Park, Ellicott City, MD. Help is needed to greet participants & guide parking, for set-up & take-down, to help with food, beverage, and T-shirt distribution, photograph the event, and more. Students/groups are welcome. For information and to sign up for this event or other opportunities, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Sally Drumm, at sally.drumm@alz.org, 1.800.272.3900, or 410-561-9099. Website: www.alz.org/maryland.

City of Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department

The City is looking for volunteers to assist the Recreation and Parks Department with the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of our parks by forming groups of “Friends of …” to cover each of the city parks. Members of the groups would volunteer their time and labor to do plantings, help water and weed gardens in the parks, and serve as the eyes and ears of parks to report problems that needed to be addressed. Within reason, the City will provide the supplies needed for projects.  For more information and to volunteer, contact Marisa Wittlinger at MDWittlinger@annapolis.gov or 410-263-7993. Web site: www.annapolis.gov/recreation/.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools AVID Tutoring Program

The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Tutoring Program supports students in grades 6 through 12 who are in the academic middle. AVID tutors, age 18 and older, will be trained to work with small groups of students during the AVID elective class.  These students have gone through an application process and have been selected to participate in the AVID Program at their respective school. Tutors will help students be successful by assisting them with problem-solving techniques, working collaboratively with other students, and serving as role models. Tutors would commit to at least one semester of tutoring at one of the AVID sites for a minimum of one hour per week, during the regular school day. For an application and more information, contact: Jennifer Lombardi at 410 222-5458 or jlombardi@aacps.org, and visit website: http://www.aacps.org/avid/.

• 9 a.m–12 Noon, Thurs., Sept. 6; 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Mon., Oct. 15; 9 a.m.–12 Noon, Fri., Nov. 9; 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m,, Fri., Dec. 7, 2012; AVID Tutor Training: The 3-hour sessions are held alternately at the Board of Education in Annapolis and the Carver Center in Gambrills. Contact Jennifer Lombardi at 410 222-5458 or jlombardi@aacps.org, and visit website: http://www.aacps.org/avid/.

American Red Cross Blood Drives

Volunteers are needed to greet donors, provide customer service, and serve refreshments. The American Red Cross Donor Center is located in Glen Burnie; blood drives are situated throughout Anne Arundel County. Must be 14 years of age or older. Must complete an application and attend an orientation session. Volunteers over 18 years of age will require a background check. Contact: Terry Ann Karloff at 410-764-4602 Ext.1 or 1-800-272-0094 Ext. 1 or TerryAnn.Karloff@redcross.org.  Website: www.redcrossblood.org/gcp.

Baltimore Regional Transportation Board / Baltimore Metropolitan Council

The organization of the Baltimore region’s elected executives, representing Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties identifies regional interests, such as air and water quality programs, emergency preparedness, transportation planning, data systems, and more. The organization collaborates on strategies, plans, and programs to improve the quality of life and economic vitality of the Baltimore region. Volunteers are being sought to serve on our Citizens Advisory Committee and Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Group; also needed are interested individuals to review and respond to public comment opportunities. For more info., contact Monica Haines Benkhedda at comments@baltometro.org or 410-732-0500.

Friends of the Light House Shelter

This emergency shelter facility provides shelter for single men and women and families and runs a transitional housing program in Annapolis. Volunteers, 18 and over, are needed for a variety of duties associated with the food program, children’s programs, facilities cleaning & maintenance, office and administration, and adult education programs. Pro bono professional volunteers are also needed serve the shelter and its clients with specialized skills such as accounting, medicine, law, and carpentry. The hours are flexible for many tasks and training is provided. In addition to volunteers, the shelter has an immediate need for pantry food items because of a greatly increased demand for lunches. To volunteer or arrange for donations, contact Volunteer Services Coordinator Michele Marshall at 410-349-5056 Ext.14 or Marshall@AnnapolisLightHouse.org.

• Sun., Sept. 30, 2012, Friends of the Light House’s Run for Shelter and 5th Annual Jogging Joe Shafran Memorial Run: Volunteers and sponsors are needed to help with both events being held at Quiet Waters Park; the Jogging Joe 4.2 mi. Run starts at 7:30 am, and the Run for Shelter Half Marathon starts at 7:45 am. Contact Jill McCabe at events@annapolislighthouse.

 Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic

This nonprofit fulfills the wish of local children fighting life-threatening illness. Volunteers, age 21 and older, are needed to work directly with the children and their families to help make their wish come true. A training session and background check are required. Volunteer opportunities are also available for office volunteers, community fundraisers, and to assist with special events. Contact Lisa at 410-580-9474 or Lkadish@midatlantic.wish.org. Website: www.midatlantic.wish.org.

Volunteer Center For Anne Arundel County

The Center is announcing the following Nonprofit Leadership Development Courses being given on the Arnold Campus by the Anne Arundel Community College in partnership with the Volunteer Center. For more information about registration or about any noncredit course call the college at 410-777-2325 or visit the website: www.aacc.edu.  Registration for each course is $29 including $5 for materials except for the Introduction to Monitoring Course which is $6.

• Course CMD-374, Planning a Volunteer Program, 6:00-9:30 pm, Tues., Sept. 18, 2012:  Discuss how to conduct needs assessments. Explore the vision, mission and purpose of volunteer programs. Learn how to write position descriptions and budgets.
• Course CMD-375, Recruiting & Placing Volunteers, 6:00-9:30 pm, Tues., Oct. 16, 2012:  Discover how to sell the benefits and explain the features of volunteer positions. Learn how to match volunteers and positions.
• Course CMD-376, Orienting & Training Volunteers, 6:00-9:30 pm, Tues., Nov. 13, 2012:  Learn how to plan and implement effective training of volunteers. Explore how to identify the knowledge, skills and attitudes the volunteer needs and how those factors affect volunteer performance and well-being.
• Course PRS-355, Introduction to Mentoring, 7:00-9:00 pm, Thurs., Nov. 15, 2012: Train to successfully mentor youth, reinforce fundamental mentoring practices and provide cutting-edge information to assist a young person develop his/her fullest potential. Registration is $6 including $5 materials fee.