Montgomery Volunteer Newsletter - July 2012

[Howard Hartman]

July 2012  Keep up with the latest Volunteer Center news and opportunities!     In This Issue:    Agency Spotlight: Housing Opportunities Commission   School Supply Drives    Scrap-DC Wishlist      An Olympian Effort!     2012 Nelson Mandela International Day NACo Award Winners   Catalogue for Philanthropy's Featured Nonprofits Featured Volunteer Opportunities:    One-Time Ongoing  Quick Links    Volunteer Center Homepage   Search for Volunteer Opportunities   Calendar of Opportunities   Group Volunteering   Watch this awesome video! Montgomery County Volunteer Center Video Thank you to Montgomery Community Media for producing this fabulous video for the Volunteer Center! Quote of the Month  Your life and mine shall be valued not by what we take. . . but by what we give"   --Edgar Allen, Founder of Easter Seals   Make a Difference  Make a Difference highlights the contributions of stellar County volunteers and organizations that contribute positively to Montgomery County. Click here for recent episodes.   For our online calendar of opportunities,  click here! The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is part of the Office of Community Partnerships.  For more information on the Office of Community Partnerships and to sign up for the Partnerships Newsletter, please click here.  Privacy is important to us; therefore, we will not sell, rent, or give your name or address to anyone. At any point, you can select the link at the bottom of every email to unsubscribe. Got Stuff to Donate? Have an item you'd like to donate to a nonprofit agency?  The Montgomery County Volunteer Center's Hotlink might be just the resource you are looking for!  The Hotlink is a weekly email sent out to our 900+ registered agencies which publicizes donations and other resources.   This is a great way for you to donate items like home and office furniture, medical equipment, appliances, air conditioners, musical instruments, and much more!    What we need from you: A brief description of the item Description of item's condition The city where the donation will be picked up How the donor would like to be contacted (phone or email) Call or email the Volunteer Center with the information volunteer@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-2600.  Items must be in good condition. Organizations will contact you to arrange a pickup and will provide a donation receipt to you.   Looking for a place to donate items the Volunteer Center does not accept?  Try these great ABC donations. Automobiles - Vehicles for Change 410-242-9674 230 Washington Blvd., Halethorpe, MD  Books - Friends of the Library 240-777-0020 Rockville, Wheaton, and Gaithersburg locations Clothing - Interfaith Clothing Center 301-424-3796 751 Twinbrook Pkwy, Rockville, MD 20851 The Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services is also a great resource!  Check out their amazing Use It Again page for a list of other places to donate items. Agency Spotlight: Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) The mission of the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) is to provide affordable housing and supportive services that enhance the lives of low- and moderate-income families and individuals throughout Montgomery County. Our goal is to have no one in Montgomery County living in substandard housing and to strengthen families and communities as good neighbors. To achieve this mission, HOC operates as a public housing agency, a housing finance agency and a housing developer. HOC is Montgomery County, Maryland's housing authority and featured in the Catalogue for Philanthropy.    As a volunteer for HOC, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our staff, clients and communities as a whole. Both individuals and groups serve as volunteers and offer their time, a service, or donate items or cash to make a significant contribution to our agency. HOC's ability to reach their goals through providing expanded services to residents and administrative, technical and clerical assistance to staff is made possible by volunteers. In addition, volunteers serve as advocates for HOC, helping to increase community understanding and cooperation.  Volunteers are an important part of the team. If you would like to volunteer or make a contribution at this time, please feel free to contact Stephanie Semones at  stephanie. semones@hocmc.org.   Did you know Panera is collecting school supplies?  Bring a new backpack to any Montgomery County Panera from now until August 15th and receive a $10 Panera gift card.  Supplies will be distributed through the Housing Opportunities Commission .    _____________________________________     Increase your agency's visibility and recruit more volunteers by being a featured Agency Spotlight. Send an email to fern.carbonell@montgomerycountymd.gov  for consideration. Get Ready for School Supply Drives! Help make sure students are equipped for success in the coming school year by donating backpacks and school supplies. The following organizations are accepting donations now and will soon be preparing them for distribution.   The greatest need for school supplies are backpacks, loose leaf paper, pencils, highlighters, markers, colored pencils, binders, pencil pouches, pens, and glue sticks. Supplies are collected through August, in time to have them ready for the start of the school year.  Note specific end dates for the different programs.   Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless  What: New backpacks, calculators and 2" binders  When: July 15th through August 6  Where: 600-B East Gude Drive, Rockville, Mon-Fri, 10 am - 4 pm.  Questions: Teri Brenits at 301-217-0314 x120 or teri@mcch.net   Faith Connections and  Damascus HELP  What: Backpacks and school supplies When: Donations are appreciated by August 12th Where: Damascus/Clarksburg area Questions: Jennifer Settlemire at 301-253-9624 or 240-388-6373 or Jennifer.settlemire@verizon.net    Interfaith Works What: School Supplies When: Now until August 30th Where: 751 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville Questions: Sabrina Wilson at 301-424-3796, swilson@iworksmc.org   Montgomery County Public Schools What:  Backpacks filled with school supplies or monetary donations to sponsor filled backpacks (just under $10 per student)  When: Now until August 17th Where: 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 50 Rockville or PayPal Questions: Gail Woolf, 301-517-5066, gail_s_woolf@mcpsmd.org   Panera Bread What: Backpacks  When: Now until August 15th Where: Any Montgomery County Panera Bread When you bring a new backpack to Panera you will receive a $10 Panera gift card. Supplies will be distributed through the Housing Opportunities Commission which provides affordable housing and supportive services for low- and moderate-income families and individuals throughout the county. SCRAP-DC Wishlist Scrap-DC inspires creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community. They currently have a wish list of items to be used for upcoming projects.    Below is the short list.  NON-functioning computer mice Keyboards and even gaming remotes, steering wheels, etc.,  Doctor's scale Small/medium crates and shelves A complete listing can be found on their website www.scrapdc.org   Also check out current volunteer opportunities at Scrap-DC.  Nelson Mandela International Day July 18, 2012 What will you do on Mandela Day?  Celebrated across the globe on Nelson Mandela's birthday - July 18th - Mandela Day was formally recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2009. Today Mandela Day is an international movement of good pioneered by champions who are doing good in their communities across the globe.   Spend 67 minutes doing good in your community.  The 67 minutes represents the years of service and sacrifice Mandela has given. You can get started by looking for volunteer opportunities listed in the Featured Volunteer Opportunities section or searching the Montgomery County Volunteer database. Once you find an activity, get registered on the Mandela site and be part of this growing international movement to build a global movement toward good.  See what others are doing by watching this video. An Olympian Effort! Inspired by the upcoming Summer Olympics,  this summer A Wider Circle launched Our Olympian Effort.  Their campaign has ideas for everyone and provides opportunities for everyone to help - from near or far.  Host a drive, fuel the change, drive a truck to pick up donations, use your extracurricular activities or hobbies to raise funds, host a 33, and spread the word. Here's what A Wider Circle has to say about it ... The Olympics are a time when we feel a strong sense of national pride and truly believe in reaching for greatness.  Now is the time to apply that spirit where it is most needed.   To read more about it, go to  oe.awidercircle.org/   Montgomery County Volunteer Center Wins NACo Award Recognition for a job well done is always appreciated. Each year, the National Association of Counties (NACo) presents achievement awards to local government programs for innovations that make a positive difference in service delivery. MCVC's 25th Anniversary of Community Service Day 2011 was selected along with 18 other County programs for a NACo Achievement Award.   Community Service Day's Silver Anniversary in 2011 was a year-long celebration of volunteering in Montgomery County.  It included the innovative"Pledge 25" challenge where County residents of all ages pledged to volunteer at least 25 hours, between the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Community Service Day.   We would not have received this achievement award without your commitment to volunteer service.  So congratulations to you and thank you for all you do to infuse Montgomery County with a culture of service.   Click here for a complete list of the 19 programs in Montgomery County recognized by NACo with Achievement Awards. Go, Mo Co! Catalogue for Philanthropy Announces 2012-2013 Featured Nonprofits The Greater Washington Catalogue for Philanthropy has announced the list of nonprofits that will be featured in their 10th Anniversary Catalogue.  Over 70 organizations will be recognized in 5 categories: Nature, Culture, Education, International, and Human Services.  Click here to see the list of those selected.  The print catalogue will be available November 2012.    Congratulations to all those recognized!  Check out the featured Montgomery County organizations that also have volunteer opportunities posted with the Volunteer Center: Anacostia Watershed Society, InterPLAYcompany Band, Arts for the Aging, Inc., A Wider Circle, Rebuilding Together Montgomery County, Inc., and  Stepping Stones Shelter.   The Greater Washington Catalogue for Philanthropy shines a light on smaller community-based nonprofits in the DC Metro region. Featured Volunteer Opportunities One-Time Volunteer Opportunities     Check the July Calendar  for the latest opportunities.  Denotes opportunities that are approved to provide  MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours.    July 9-10 - Drive for Supplies: Students Needed - Help sort used, yet usable school supplies this summer. Middle and high school student volunteers are needed to sort and organize donated school supplies for distribution to local, national, and international programs for children. Sorting will take place in the cafeteria of Richard Montgomery High School from 9:30 am - 3:00 pm. No pre-registration or sign-up is necessary. Just show up and sign-in. For students working the full day (9:30 am - 3:00 pm), bring a bag lunch, including your beverage!  Contact: Karen Crawford, 301-670-1419  Web Site: www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/    July 15 - Community Outreach. Help distribute flyers for The Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County (AWLMC) to educate pet owners on the advantages of spaying/ neutering their pets at the MCPD Animal Services Division sponsored Rabies Clinics held on the third Sunday of the month from April to September at the Montgomery County Animal Shelter in Rockville. Volunteers also needed in August & September.  Minimum age 14. Contact: Jeanne App, Volunteer Coordinator, 301-740-2511  Web Site: www.awlmc.org     July 22 - Canal Stewards at Fletcher's Cove - Join the Potomac Conservancy at Fletcher's Cove! This cleanup is open to all ages, and we'll provide all the necessary supplies - just bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and casual clothing! This event is part of the National Park Service's Canal Stewards program, engaging volunteers to become long-term caretakers of a site within the C & O Canal National Historical Park. Typical activities include picking up trash, pruning vegetation, or repairing the towpath and trails. No registration is necessary and all ages are welcome.  Contact Hannah Larson at larson@potomac.org for more information.  Web Site: www.potomac.org    July 29 - Event Helpers for MoCo MoJo Kids Tri. Montgomery County Multisport Club, or MOCO Multisport, is a new Triathlon/Multi-sport club located in Montgomery County dedicated to promoting the multi-sport lifestyle and providing an opportunity for multi-sport athletes to train, complete, and socialize together. Minimum age 16. For the second year now, we are putting on a kids triathlon to attract kids to the benefits of the multi-sport lifestyle--and to build an interest in Triathlon. We need lots of help to make sure this is a safe, fun event for the kids.   Contact Tish Halle through the MCVC volunteer website  Web Site: www.mocomultisport.org/      View the July Volunteer Calendar.     Do you have a great volunteer story to tell? Share your story with a paragraph and a photo. Tell how you're making an impact in your community! Stories will be displayed throughout our website.  Click here to read some Success Stories.    Search for more volunteer opportunities here! Selected Ongoing Opportunities      Denotes opportunities that are approved to provide    MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL) Hours   Fund Raising Assistant - Stepping Stones Shelter, a social service agency that provides a continuum of services to homeless families with children, is looking for 4-6 people who would like to help us raise money for the shelter by assisting with our Help the Homeless Walks and other fundraising events throughout the year. Ideally applicants will be able to devote 5-10 hours a week to this position. Contact: Denise Fredericks at 301-251-0567 ext. 101 or email her at dfredericks_sss@yahoo.com.  Web Site: www.steppingstonesshelter.org/     Office Assistant- Compassion Over Killing needs volunteers to prepare important mailings such as materials for activists nationwide to use at special events and informational brochures and vegetarian starter guides requested continuously online. Depending on organization needs, special events, and/or the candidate's abilities and interests, light research, office organization, assistance at outreach events at local venues, or other important office administrative and operations tasks may be involved.  Contact Sean Conner, Office Manager, 301-891-2458  Web Site: www.cok.net/   Play with Kittens - Alpha Group Animal Rescue provides kitties that have run out of time at local shelters an alternative to euthanasia. Kittens need human contact early in life to abandon their fear of humans. This simply requires close contact and interaction with people. Usually an hour per session is adequate and multiple clients can be handled simultaneously. Volunteers should plan an hour or so per session if socializing kitties. While they have a lot of energy, they tire quickly. Contact Susan Uskievich, 301-946-4900  Web Site: www.petfinder.com/shelters/MD303.html    Farm Hand - Do you love working outside? The Menare Foundation is looking for part-time Farm Hands to perform odd jobs on our Living History farm. Duties include gardening, animal tours for school groups, and general maintenance. Groups to do maintenance projects around the farm are also welcome. Contact Cara Light, Volunteer Coordinator through the MCVC website.  Web Site: www.menare.org    Find more opportunities here. The best place to start searching for volunteer opportunities is the Center's website www.montgomeryserves.org. If the information on our website doesn't answer your questions, or you need help finding volunteer opportunities or exploring volunteering options,  contact us via email at volunteer@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Montgomery County Volunteer Center | 12900 Middlebrook Road | Germantown | MD | 20874