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2008 November Newsletter
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November 2008 | |
 Feature Volunteer Opportunities |
| For our online calendar of opportunities, click here! |
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is part of Montgomery County Executive Leggett's Office of Community Partnerships. For more information on the Office of Community Partnerships and to sign up for the Partnerships Newsletter and Bulletin, please click here.
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| Giving Back During the Holidays - Share the Spirit! |
 As the holiday season approaches individuals, businesses, and groups can reach out in a number of ways and make a difference in the community. One way of giving back in Montgomery County is through Interfaith Works (formerly Community Ministry of Montgomery County) Holiday Giving Program. The Holiday Giving Program is a coalition of religious organizations, non-profits, municipalities, and others that provide food and gifts to needy families for the November and December holidays. Last year over 7,000 families received donations of food and toys through the generosity of helping agency volunteers, corporations, foundations, congregations and concerned neighbors. For more information about the Holiday Giving Project, please click here. In addition to the Holiday Giving Project there are also other agencies that need donations and volunteer assistance during this time of the year. Click here to see a listing of more ways you can help during this holiday season. You can also give the Volunteer Center a call at 240-777-2600. |
| Promoting Volunteering to Fight Poverty |
 Although Montgomery County is considered to be one of America's most affluent places to live, more than 25% of Montgomery County residents are at risk for hunger. This means individuals are food insecure and are unsure if they will have enough food to feed all household members due to lack of money or other resources. Over 28,000 people in Montgomery County are living in poverty. Due to the current state of the economy, nonprofits that work everyday to assist these individuals and families are seeing large increases in the numbers they serve. The Volunteer Center has brought on two volunteers to help focus on this issue and volunteer management. Ntshiuwa Sato-Bess and Laura Aceituno will be doing a year of service at the Volunteer Center through the Americorps program and Volunteer Maryland (a state program within Americorps). The Americorp programs seek to address the root causes of poverty and work to bring citizens or communities out of poverty. Throughout their service year, Ntshiuwa and Laura will be responsible for recruitment, development, and sustainability of various Volunteer programs. They will be working with a variety of our registered nonprofit agencies, community and faith groups to help tackle poverty issues in our communities. Some of the nonprofits include Linkages to Learning, Women Who Care Ministry, Community Action Board, Manna Food Center, and Interfaith Works. To learn more about these nonprofit agencies and others that are doing great work in our community please click here. |
| Ten Tips for Wise Volunteering |
| 1. Research the causes or issues important to you. Look for an organization/group which deals with issues about which you feel strongly.
2. Consider the skills you have to offer. This will allow you to jump into a volunteer position without having to take training to prepare for the task.
3. Consider volunteering as family. When a family volunteers together it can bring them closer together and teach children the value of giving their time and effort.
4. Would you like to learn something new? Seek a volunteer opportunity involving training in an unfamiliar skill.
5. Don't over-commit your schedule. Make sure the volunteer hours you want to give fit into your hectic life.
6. Nonprofits may have questions, too.
7. I never thought of that! Many community groups that are looking for volunteers may not have occurred to you, i.e. day care centers, community theaters, and art galleries
8. Give voice to your heart through your giving and volunteering! Bring your heart and your sense of humor, and your enthusiastic spirit.
9. Virtual Volunteering? If you have computer access and the necessary skills, some organizations offer the opportunity to do volunteer work over the computer.
10. Be a year-round volunteer! Volunteering is necessary and welcome all year.
For detailed information about all of these tips, please visit the Independent Sector website at www.independentsector.org/give5/volunteer_wisely.htm. |
| County Volunteer Center Recognized for Volunteering and Community Service Achievements |
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center has received an award for its significant role in promoting volunteering and community service. The award was presented by the Corporate Volunteer Council of Montgomery County at its annual meeting on October 28th. To read more, please click here. |
| Feature Volunteer Opportunities |
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One-Time Opportunities
- 11/7-11/8 - Volunteer at Walk Now for Autism on the National Mall, Washington, DC
Volunteers are needed to assist with all the general duties for a 2 mile walk for autism research: helping walkers at the registration desk, working at water stations, set-up and clean-up, handing out t-shirts, answering questions at the information desk. For more information and to volunteer, please contact Marlene McConnell, Volunteer Coordinator, at 202-955-3111 or via e-mail at marmcconnell1@comcast.net. You can also contact Valerie Shea, Volunteer Coordinator, at 202-955-3111 or via e-mail at vshea.autismspeaks@gmail.com.
- 11/8 - Washington Capitals Food Drive
Come out and help the Capital Area Food Bank by greeting fans, provide them with information about the food bank and distribute promotional materials. Fans will be dropping off food donations to support the food bank. For more information, please contact Jana Richardson at 202-526-5344 or richardsonj@cfoodbank.org.
- 11/15 - America Recycles Day (various locations throughout the County) To celebrate America Recycles Day, the Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services will be hosting events at multiple locations throughout the county. Two events will offer paper shredding and clothing/ household goods donation, one event will be a household hazardous waste collection event, and the remainder of the events will be informational tables at businesses where we will provide information on reducing, reusing, and recycling waste and buying products made with recycled content. Volunteers are needed to help with setup and breakdown of events, traffic control, handing out information, and educating Montgomery County Residents about recycling. Training will be provided on-site. For more information, please contact Ana Arriaza at 240-777-6445 or via e-mail at recycle@montgomerycountymd.gov
- 11/21 - Moving for Stepping Stones Shelter
Stepping Stones needs volunteers (preferably a group) to move bedroom furniture out of a homeless shelter and move new furniture in. For more information, please contact Mary Bennett at 301-251-0567 or via e-mail at mmb_sss@yahoo.com.
- 11/22 - Montgomery County Thanksgiving Day Parade
Volunteers are needed for the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade to act as unit leaders, balloon handlers- leading the giant Macy-like Thanksgiving balloons and dressing up in costume to be on the floats. Also, we need assistance with set-up and break-down. The parade takes place the Saturday before Thanksgiving, in downtown Silver Spring. The hours are from 7:30am to 1:30pm (you need to be present the whole time). For more information please contact Elizabeth Gallauresi at 301-793-2928 or egallauresi@themodernmuse.com.
Ongoing Opportunities
- Montgomery County Council Seeks Applicants for Grants Advisory Group - The Montgomery County Council is seeking applicants for positions on its Fiscal Year 2010 Grants Advisory Group. The Council will appoint the community panel to review grant applications and advise it on proposals received from the non-profit community. Applicants for the advisory panel must submit letters of interest and resumes no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12. The Grants Advisory Group will be appointed by the County Council and will represent a balance of different points of view and diversity in the County. Those interested in serving on the panel must live or work in the County. Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume to: Council President Michael J. Knapp, Montgomery County Council, Stella B. Werner Council Office Building, 100 Maryland Ave., Rockville, MD20850. Letters of interest must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12. For more information regarding the Grants Advisory Group, contact Council staff members Peggy Fitzgerald-Bare at 240-777-7924or Justina Ferber at 240-777-7938. You can also see detailed information by clicking here.
- Grant Writer - Washington Chiefs
Volunteers are needed to help us locate and apply for local and federal grants to support our many community programs. The Washington Chiefs (Chiefs) is a non-profit organization that embraces community service as an integral part of its mission. The Chiefs is designed to: elevate academic excellence, foster wholesome amateur athletic participation, nourish and develop self-discipline, and encourage healthy competition in disadvantaged, yet talented youth. For more information contact Portia Sullivan, 410-474-8562 or washingtonchiefsinc@hotmail.com. You can also visit their website at http://www.washingtonchiefs.com.
- Website Assistance/Webmaster Needed - UpperCounty Steppers
Greetings to all you computer gurus out there!
Upper County Steppers Inc is looking for a webmaster for our online site uppercountysteppers.org. We are looking for an individual with FTP knowledge and who would be willing to "vamp up" our site every 3 to 4 weeks with information about our events, as well as event photos, etc. This is the perfect opportunity for an individuals who is looking to build their web building portfolio. This work can be done at whatever time fits your schedule. Please contact Kevia Shepard at 301-528-9697 or ucs20874@yahoo.com. You can also visit their website at http://www.uppercountysteppers.org.
- Community Outreach Database Coordinator - Humane Society (Gaithersburg)
The HSUS works to celebrate animals and confront cruelty in the United States and abroad. The volunteer will help us reach more people by contacting homeowners' associations in communities nationwide to compile a database of contact information. This database will help us do outreach for several of the HSUS' programs, especially those involving pets and wildlife. The position will involve making phone calls, doing Internet research, organizing data and entering it into a software program. Our public relations staff will teach the volunteer how to enter contacts into our media software. The outcome of this project will be a comprehensive list of homeowners' association contacts. For more information, please contact Liz Bergstrom at 301-258-1455 or via e-mail at lbergstrom@hsus.org.
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| To See More Volunteer Opportunities, Click Here! | |
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Montgomery County Volunteer Center | 401 Hungerford Drive | 1st Floor | Rockville | MD | 20850
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Disney, Maryland Volunteer Centers Team Up In Special Volunteer Program Beginning January 1st, 2010 - Plan Now!
