Area Organizations Hope to 'Make A Difference'

Millions of Americans will volunteer on Make A Difference Day, which is set for Oct. 22 and touted as a "national day of doing good" sponsored by the HandsOn Network and USA WEEKEND. 

In Glen Burnie, is hosting it's own Make A Difference Day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Oct. 22. Volunteers are asked to sign up on the church's website to perform tasks such as bagging groceries, being part of a kindness patrol at local police and fire stations and handing out water to those in need.

Glen Burnie-based is looking for volunteers on Oct. 22 from 2 to 6 p.m. for help with their Make a Difference Day Picnic. Volunteers will help set up, clean up, oversee games and activities and greet guests. For more information, contact Evette with Bello Machre at 443-702-3064 or ewatson@bellomachre.org.

Also based in Glen Burnie, Happy Helpers for the Homeless—a nonprofit organization that provides food, toiletries and clothing to the hungry and homeless—is looking for volunteers from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 22 to take a group for breakfast at the Glen Burnie Golden Corral, and afterwards clients will receive job search assistance, haircuts, clothing, toiletry gift bags and lunch. Contact Bobbi Coffman at 443-433-2416 for more information about volunteering on all projects and events.

Find other volunteer projects in Maryland by asking the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County.

The Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County suggests contacting the following groups to volunteer on Oct. 22 in the region:

• The Caring Collection Inc.
  Volunteers, both students and adults, can help on Oct. 22 as the group prepares for a big event in early November.  This nonprofit organization raises funds for cancer research and patient care at Anne Arundel Medical Center and Johns Hopkins Hospital by making and selling stained glass angels and sun catchers. Contact Bobbie Burnett at 410-849-5333 or caringcollection@gmail.com.
• New Life Fellowship International Ministries
  Nondenominational church will be volunteering at Morningside Assisted Living, located at 7548 Old Telegraph Rd. in Hanover, on Oct. 22 at 3 p.m. Volunteers will play Bingo and visit with the nursing home residents. For more information, email nlfimoutreach@gmail.com.  

For those who can't volunteer on Oct. 22, find an opportunity for a date that fits in your schedule. Here is one in Prince George's County:

• 
  On Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers are needed to clean five different streams in the city of Bowie. All supplies will be provided. Prince George's County public school students can receive Student Service Learning credits for their work. For more information, contact Tiffany Wright at 301-809-3043 or twright@cityofbowie.org.