Volunteer Opportunities in Anne Arundel County

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Many volunteer positions are available through the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center. If you do not see an opportunity below that fits your needs, contact the Volunteer Center at ask.aacvc@outlook.com or 410-897-9207. Check the website: www.aacvc.org. A few current volunteer opportunities are listed below.

The Annapolis Light House

The mission of The Light House is to help rebuild lives with compassion by providing shelter and services to prevent homelessness and empower people as they transition towards self-sufficiency. Volunteers are needed for a variety of duties associated with the food program, children’s programs, front desk help and adult education programs. Pro bono professional volunteers are also needed with specialized skills such as accounting, dentistry, licensed therapists, law, and carpentry. Volunteers with trucks to transport items to the county dump are also needed. There is an immediate need relating to two new volunteer opportunities: 1. Volunteer teams who will donate, store and transport furniture and basic need items to support clients as they move into a home of their own, and; 2. Individuals or groups of volunteers to weed, plant, trim, harvest and provide care for Light House plants and shrubs, including herbs, vegetables and flowers. Donations of plants are also welcomed! We hope that this will be a great new opportunity for groups to volunteer! The hours are flexible for many tasks and training is provided. To volunteer or arrange to donate, please contact Michele Marshall at(443)569-4208 or Marshall@AnnapolisLightHouse.org.

Arundel High School Mock Interviews, Jun. 3-4, 2015

It is time once again for the Mock Interviews at Arundel High School on June 3 (7:15-8:40 AM and 12:45-2:00 PM) and June 4, 2015(7:15-8:40 AM and 8:45-10:05 PM). This round of interviews is for 11th grade AP English students. If you would like to sign up for a slot(s) to interview students, please sign up at the following link:www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DACA62EA6FE3-arundel. For more information contact Sandy Vogel at 410-674-3938 or email:thevogel4@msn.com.

11th Annual MELLFIN Conference, Thurs., May 20, 2015

The dynamic MELLFIN Annual Conference brings together 300 educators of English Language Learners from all over Maryland. MELLFIN (The Maryland English Language Learners Family Involvement Network) is a non-profit organization that depends on volunteers. Conference volunteers are invited to attend the conference at half-price ($25, instead of $50). A light continental breakfast and generous lunch are included. The event is being held at Church of Philippi, 7422 Race Rd., Hanover, MD 21076. For more about the conference see: http://www.mellfin.org/5.html.

· 7:30 – 10:30 PM, Wed., May 19, Pre-Conference Set-Up: Volunteers are needed for set-up of about 30 tables and 300 chairs for the luncheon and to set up about 40 chairs in each of the 10 break-out rooms. To sign up go to: www.aacvc.org/OpportunityCalendar.

· 1:30 – 3:30 PM, Thurs., May 20th, Post-Conference Clean-Up: Volunteers will take down tables and chairs and help with general clean-up. To sign up go to: www.aacvc.org/OpportunityCalendar.

North County High School, Mock Interviews, May 22, 25 & 26, 2015

Volunteers are needed throughout the day on May 22, 25, & 26, 2015 to conduct 15-minute Mock Interviews and provide students with verbal and written feedback on both their resume and interview. Volunteer for a shift or two or stay the whole day. Those interested in something less structured are also being sought to engage in career conversations with students and also to provide help with writing resumes. Sample questions and an evaluation sheet for the Mock Interviews and a sample format to help guide the Career Conversations will be provided prior to the event. For more information, contact Barbara Ellard Dziedzic, Signature Program Facilitator, at BDZIEDZIC@AACPS.org. Volunteers can sign up for specific time slots at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NCHSmock2015.

P.A.W.S. (People & Animals Who Serve Anne Arundel County)

Volunteers for this program visit one-on-one or with their pets or children at homeless shelters, nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities, adult day-care centers or other sites where people lack visits from family and friends. Volunteers are asked to share at least one hour each week at the facility of your choice. With more than 76 facilities to choose from throughout the county, there are many opportunities to brighten someone’s day close to your home. Minimum age of 18 if visiting one-on-one with own pet, under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Call 410-222-0738 or e-mail:info@paswaac.org for more information and to register for orientation sessions. Website: www.aacounty.org/Aging/POWLEMM/ &www.pawsaac.org.

SCORE: Southern Maryland Chapter 390

This group of volunteers with entrepreneurial experience is sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration to offer mentoring to small business owners and new entrepreneurs; free counseling and general and specialized workshops are provided to clients in Anne Arundel and surrounding counties. The Chapter has a need for business men and women willing to give their time to help entrepreneurs. We invite working and retired executives, small business owners, educators and other professionals to become volunteer mentors. In addition to mentors, SCORE seeks volunteers with strong organizational skills to work with mentors and clients in outreach programs, marketing, setting up and running workshops and general office support. Training is provided. Contact 410-266-9553 orinfo@score390.org. Website: http://www.score390.org.

Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care

Seasons Hospice invites you to journey with individuals facing an end-of-life illness. Volunteers provide companionship and support for our hospice clients and their families. We also utilize special skill volunteers such as: pet therapy, music companion, spiritual volunteer, bereavement callers, and office support. Please share your gifts, time and care with Seasons Hospice clients. For more information contact Carol Small at csmall@seasons.org or 410-689-7400. See website: http://www.seasons.org/.

Watershed Stewards Academy (WSA)

WSA trains and supports community leaders called Master Watershed Stewards to help their communities reduce pollution and restore their waterways. It also promotes environmental volunteer opportunities in local communities. For more information, contact Suzanne Etgen, WSA Program Coordinator, at 410 222 3822 orSETGEN@AACPS.org. Visit the website aawsa.org. Upcoming events needing volunteers:

· Saturday, May 16, 2015, Maryland State Home and Garden Pilgrimage: Contact 2015 Steward of the Year MaryBeth Austin to volunteer at wandmb@me.com. See: http://mhgp.org/Anne-Arundel-County-2015.

· Noon – 4 pm, Sat., June 6, 2015, Downs Park Community Family Day: Please contact Lara Mulvaney atlmulvaney@aacps.org or 410-222-3831 if you are interested in volunteering.

· Noon – 6 pm, Sat., June 6, 2015, Riverfest 2015 (WestRhode Riverkeeper): Please contact WSA at 410-222-3831 if you are interested in volunteering at this event. See: http://www.westrhoderiverkeeper.org/index.php/calendar/riverfest.html