What's Up Magazines

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Annapolis

Operation Welcome Home (MD) meets and greets our servicemen and women who have returned from a deployment overseas. Volunteers are needed to provide a warm hand shake, cheers, and applause when Marines, Airmen, Soldiers and Sailors arrive through the International gates at BWI airport. Organizations, community groups, scouts, and individuals of all ages are welcome to this family event. BWI airport is the largest airport in the nation to meet and greet our hero's home, and to date, over 70,000 have been greeted. Come join the effort of supporting our Military! Our event calendar is posted on our web site: owhmd.org.
Be sure to call the event line prior to leaving for the airport: 410-630-1555.


Partners In Care volunteer orientation 
Partners In Care needs drivers! Even 2 hours a month will help an older adult get to the doctor or the grocery. Please attend one of our next orientations - September 17 or October 28 -choose 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. Handymen and women and resale boutique workers are also needed. Contact: 410-544-4800 Ext. 210 or visit www.partnersincare.org
Location: Partners In Care. 6 South Ritchie Highwy , Pasadena MD www.partnersincare.org

Meals on Wheels in Anne Arundel County packs and delivers nutritious meals weekdays (holidays included) to homebound residents who are unable to shop or cook. Meals on Wheels always needs volunteers to deliver food and visit. For more information, call 1 (866) 558-0827 or (410) 431-5257.

Lab Rescue of the Labrador Retriever Club of the Potomac rescues, fosters, and adopts out Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retriever-Lab mixes. Volunteers are needed to assist with Adopt-a-Lab Day on weekends, to transport dogs, evaluate dogs, conduct home visits, and provide foster homes for Labs. Volunteers also assist in recruiting veterinarians, writing grants, and helping with computers, accounting, public relations, and more. For more information, contact Linda McGuffey at info@lab-rescue.org or call (301) 299-6756.

Chrysalis House in Crownsville provides addiction treatment services for women and women with children in a residential setting. Volunteers are needed to teach basic word processing, spread sheets, and basic resume writing; help with computer maintenance; building repairs and grounds maintenance; work in the childcare center; and facilitate recreational activities for residents. Internships for both Bachelor and Master programs are often available. Contact Patty Shreve at pshreve@chrysalishouse.org or call (410) 974-6829 x15.

Leadership Anne Arundel has a mission to educate and train a diverse group of individuals to become more effective community leaders. Volunteers age 19 and up are needed on a part-time basis to help with office work. For more information, contact Alli Holstrom at (410) 571-9798 or e-mail Alli@leadershipaa.org.

Robert A. Pascal Youth & Family Services promotes optimal social, emotional, and mental health by providing accessible, innovative, and comprehensive individual, family, and group counseling as well as educational services to diverse communities. A volunteer is needed to update the referral base for mental health services in the county and surrounding Metro area, and possibly other administrative tasks. Board members also are being sought. For more information, call (410) 975-0067 or e-mail adel@rpascal.org.

YMCA Camp Letts in Edgewater needs volunteers for ongoing upkeep of buildings grounds, trail clearing, and general office support at the Retreat Center and Camp office. Special event volunteer opportunities also are available for several annual events. Contact Chessa Ormond at (410) 919-1410 or info@campletts.org.

The Anne Arundel County Literacy Council seeks volunteers to provide free reading assistance to adults in the county reading at below a fifth grade level. Opportunities exist in tutoring in adult basic education, newsletter production, tutoring in English as a second language, public relations, grant writing, event planning, tutor training, hospitality, student assessment, office support, and fund raising. For information on training, e-mail programdirector@aaclc.org or (410) 269-4419.

2C-Creating Communities seeks volunteers to assist in a new initiative, connecting World War II and Holocaust survivors in Anne Arundel County who may want to share their stories. Trained volunteers will make personal site visits, maintain confidentiality when requested, and turn the interviews into cohesive narratives. Contact 2C-Creating Communities Founder Rob Levit at (410) 279-3809 or rlevit@comcast.net or Jennifer Keats Curtis, project manager, at jcurtis@cablespeed.com or (410) 626-7657 for information..

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra has several opportunities for lovers of music who would be willing to help on a volunteer basis. Join the fun and exciting world of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. For information, call (410) 269-1132 or e-mail info@annapolissymphony.org. See www.annapolissymphony.org.

BWI Airport MD Ambassador Program /MD Office of Tourism Development's Volunteer Maryland Ambassadors, mature teens and older, offer guidance regarding airport services, Maryland tourism and information, public transportation options, directions to regional destinations, and hotel reservations throughout the year. Each trained volunteer works at least one four-hour shift every week at the Welcome Center desk, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., any weekday. Activities are planned throughout the year. Contact Jennifer Jones at (410) 767-6296 or jjones@visitmaryland.org. Volunteers also are needed at Maryland’s State House. Call Margie Long at (410) 859-7555 or e-mail mlong@mdwelcome.org for an application and information or visit www.visitmaryland.org and click on Volunteer Opportunities (under Welcome Centers).

Legacy Leadership Program offers training and internships to Maryland residents age 50 and up to serve as volunteer “legacy leaders” during the 2009 General Assembly Session (January through the first week of April). Selectees received free training two days per week in College Park and for 10 weeks in Annapolis starting in September on the bill process, government operations, state history, and constituent matters. The assignments are at least two days per week starting in January 2009 in the Annapolis office of a state senator or delegate. The unpaid positions grant unequaled access to General Assembly operations and provide individuals with an educational understanding of government processes. Contact Wes Queen at (301) 405-2529 or wqueen@umd.edu for application information.

The Lutheran Mission Society Christian health and welfare agency brings health and wellness to individuals, families and communities who are dealing with conflict and disease with the help of volunteer caregivers. Programs provide walk-in clients with food, clothing, health, counseling, and educational services. Residential care is provided for women and children along with instruction in parenting, homemaking, nutrition, and more. Volunteers, age 15 and up, help with sorting, storing, and packing donated food and other goods at the Annapolis location, 230 West St. Volunteers teach parenting, literacy, health/wellness, use of computer technology, and more. Call Volunteer Coordinator Rich Parron at (410) 636-0123, e-mail rparron@luntheranmissionsociety.org, or visit www.lutheranmissionsociety.org.

Eastern Shore

Mid-Shore AARP Tax Aide is seeking volunteers to help provide free tax assistance and prepare 2009 tax returns for low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those age 60 and older, at eleven locations in Talbot, Queen Anne’s, Caroline, and Kent counties from February 1 through April 15, 2010. A series of training classes will be held on December 15 and January 11, 12, 14, 18, 19 and 21. If you are interested in becoming an AARP Tax-Aide volunteer contact John Lawrence at 410-725-0150 or at taxes@johnlawrence.name.

Chesapeake Cats and Dogs Adoption Center has ongoing needs for volunteers to assist with mailings or other tasks at the Chester-based center, as well as to play with foster animals. Call (410) 643-9955, send an e-mail to info@chesapeakecats.com, or visit www.chesapeakecats.com for more information.

Dorchester Humane Society in Cambridge seeks volunteers who are committed to helping at the animal shelter in their free time. Volunteers tend to the animals and assist in planning and fundraising events. Call (410) 228-3090 or visit www.dorchesterhumane.org for more information.

Grasonville Senior Center seeks volunteers to provide a wide variety of assistance, from clerical work and cafeteria assistance to program instruction and activity planning. Call (410) 827-6010 for more information.

Pickering Creek Audubon Center requests volunteer assistance with garden maintenance, invasive plant species removal, bluebird box monitoring, leading Saturday morning nature walks at its Easton campus, and more. Call Beth at (410) 822-4903 or visit www.pickeringcreek.org for more information.

Queen Anne’s County Free Library has volunteer needs in their Project Read and Storytime on Wheels programs. Call (410) 758-0980 or visit www.quan.lib.md.us/volunteer for more information.

St. Martin’s Barn offers shelter for battered women and their children. Located in Ridgely, the organization needs volunteers who will sort clothing and goods for the thrift shop, prepare food boxes, and interview clients. Call (410) 634-2684 for more information.

The Alley Community and Youth Center is a project of Women In Need (WIN). Located in Chestertown, The Alley offers after-school tutoring and mentoring programs for youths looking for support and guidance. Volunteers assist with everything from tutoring and mentoring to organizational and technical support. Call (410) 778-3844, send an e-mail to thealley@win-foundation.org, or visit www.win-foundation.org for more information.

The Judy Center needs volunteers for many activities, including classroom assistance, infant and toddler care, and family-activity planning. Call (410) 827-4629 or send an e-mail to judycenter@friend.ly.net for more information.

Kent County Parks and Recreation is searching for volunteers to coach, officiate, and assist in the administration of all community sports leagues (youth and adult), programs, and activities. Interested individuals can call Will Hughes at the Parks and Recreation office at (410) 778-1957 or send an e-mail to info@kentparksandrec.org.

The Amy Lynn Ferris Adult Activity Center in Chestertown is looking for volunteers to lead activities for seniors, including exercise, art, crafts, ceramics, music, and other appropriate activities. Call (410) 778-2564 for more information.

Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA) is looking for volunteer members. If you are an artist or have an appreciation for the arts and would like to help KIFA continue to bring art to the community, call (410) 643-7424 or visit www.kifa.us.

Talbot Special Riders, at Glendale Farm in Easton, needs volunteers for its therapeutic horseback-riding program, which helps disabled individuals learn to ride and build self-esteem. Volunteers participate as side walkers or horse leaders, and training is provided. The 10-week fall session begins on September 2 and is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information, call Nancy Radosta at (410) 604-2290.

The Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence (MSCFV) provides volunteers with the necessary training to work confidently with victims of domestic violence. Volunteers for MSCFV receive a Certificate of Service for satisfactory work, and a detailed recommendation if requested. Call Ellen at (410) 479-3363 for more information.

Talbot Mentors are men and women from all walks of life who share an interest in children. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old. To learn more about how you can make a difference in the life of a child, call (410) 770-5999 or send an e-mail to info@talbotmentors.org.

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center is looking for volunteers to help with its second annual Eco-Triathlon. Call (410) 827-6694 for more information or visit www.bayrestoration.org.

Adkins Arboretum volunteers are involved in plant propagation at the native plant nursery, assisting with plant sales, and providing garden and grounds maintenance. They also greet visitors and help with various educational programs. For more information and volunteer schedules, contact Erica Weick, coordinator of volunteer programs, at (410) 634-2847, ext. 27, or visit www.adkinsarboretum.org.

The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary offers various opportunities for volunteers to serve the hospital and its patients. Volunteers staff The Bazaar at 121 Federal Street, and upscale resale shop, and the Hospital Gift Shop. Auxiliary members support patient care activities at Memorial Hospital and outpatient centers across the Mid-Shore region and oversee fundraising activities that provide funding for Memorial Hospital programs, equipment and services. For more information, call 410-822-1000, ext. 5839.

The Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary needs volunteers to support the many services it provides in Cambridge. Positions are available at the Robin Hood Shop, the Hospitality Shop, Information Desk, Emergency Department, and patient care areas. The Auxiliary raises funds that provide programs and services to the patients of Dorchester General Hospital. For more information call, Suzanne Press, 410-228-6339.