Volunteer Opportunities in Anne Arundel County

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

Asbury Church Assistance Network (ACAN)

ACAN is a non-profit organization providing food/toiletries, and/or financial assistance toward court-ordered eviction notices or utility cut-off notices in Anne Arundel County. Volunteer Claims Analysts and Intake Personnel are needed who are high school graduates with at least 2 years of customer service experience. Volunteer Inventory Personnel with at least 2 years of high school education are also needed. Candidates must be computer literate and have excellent communication and customer service skills. Hours are flexible,10a.m.–2:00p.m., Mon.–Wed., but extension of hours is possible. Training is available. For more information, contact asbury.acan@gmail.com or 410-647-7667.

Bello Machre

Bello Machre provides loving homes and support to people with developmental disabilities. Our volunteers open their hearts to develop friendships with the individuals we serve. We offer a variety of opportunities that are best suited to your talents, interests, and time. Whether it’s spending time with an individual scrapbooking, cooking, watching movies, or playing video games, lending a hand with yard work or gardening at one of our homes, or helping staff at our administrative office. Volunteer hours are flexible and opportunities are available throughout Anne Arundel County. Orientation training is provided and volunteers 18-years-old and up must pass a criminal background check. Contact Evette Watson at 443-702-3064 or volunteer@bellomachre.org. See web site: www.Bellomachre.org.

· 10:00 am–3:00 pm, Fri., Nov. 14 & Dec. 12, 2014, Fall Campaign Mailing: Bello Machre needs volunteers at their main office in Glen Burnie, MD to help stuff and seal envelopes for their fall fundraising campaign mailing Lunch will be provided! Sign up at www.aacvc.org/OpportunityCalendar.

· Tax Preparers and Quality Reviewers are needed for the upcoming tax season to help the folks who are served by Bello Machre prepare their tax returns. No experience is necessary and prospective tax volunteers will complete the free online IRS Tax Training and Certification Course and must commit to preparing and/or reviewing a minimum of five tax returns for the season. Contact Evette Watson at 443-702-3064 orvolunteer@bellomachre.org.

Best Buddies of Maryland

Best Buddies enhances the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-on-one friendship and integrated employment. Volunteers, 18 and older, will be matched with an adult who has an intellectual disability. Matches are based on age, gender, proximity and similar interests. Once matched, the pair is asked to maintain weekly contact, via phone or email, and visit twice a month. Some monthly outings include going to concerts, dining out, watching movies and more. Volunteers are needed in Baltimore City and surrounding counties. For an application and more information contact: Tom Waite at (410) 327-9812 ext. 38 or tomwaite@bestbuddies.org. Web site:www.bestbuddiesmaryland.org.

Chesapeake Conservancy

This nonprofit’s mission is to conserve the landscapes and special places that sustain the Chesapeake Bay’s unique natural and cultural resources, strengthen the connection between people and the watershed, and encourage the exploration and celebration of the Chesapeake as a national treasure. Volunteers are needed to help with fundraising, including stuffing envelopes for solicitations, donor acknowledgements, and doing online research for potential funders. In addition, administrative support is needed for the Executive Director including help with scheduling meetings, answering telephones, help with emails, and more. For more information, and to volunteer, you may contactselder@chesapeakeconservancy.org or 443-321-3610. See website at:www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/.

Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB)

CRAB is an Annapolis nonprofit that promotes the joy of sailing in specially modified boats for physically and/or developmentally-challenged individuals and their families regardless of their financial circumstances. CRAB volunteer skippers, crewmembers and dockhands offer “SailFree” events on a Sundayeach month from April through October from 10 am-4 pm at the Marina at Sandy Point State Park. Volunteers are needed year round to help as skippers, crew, dock help, special event staffing, for boat maintenance, grant writing, and outreach. Those interested in volunteering should contact CRAB atinfo@crabsailing.org or (410) 626-0273. See web site:http://www.crabsailing.org/.

Severna Park High School Mock Interviews

Volunteers are needed throughout the day on Dec. 8-11, 2014 to conduct 15 minute Mock Interviews and provide students with verbal and written feedback on both their resume and interview at Severna Park High School, 60 Robinson Rd., MD 21146. 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, and to schedule a time to participate see website: www.sphsbab.org. Questions? Contact Joanne Brack, Signature Facilitator at 410-544-0900 ext. 202 or jbrack@aacps.org

SustainaFest

SustainaFest is an Annapolis nonprofit whose mission is to educate and engage people of all ages and interests to take action in their everyday lives to strengthen our community, improve our environment, and support our local economy. Its approach is to leverage the power of cutting-edge films, awe-inspiring music, visionary speakers, social entrepreneurs, seasoned educators, and innovative projects to spark dialogue, spotlight innovations, and catalyze new solutions to problems within the community. Talented and motivated volunteers are needed to help with everything from planning, funding and operations to builders, event staff and much more. For more information contact Wade Boarman at wboarman@sustainafest.org or 410-991-0244 and see website: www.sustainafest.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 or SETGEN@AACPS.org. Visit the websiteaawsa.org. Upcoming events include:

· 9am – 1pm, Sat., Nov. 15, 2014, Hillsmere Rain Garden: Volunteers are needed to help Debra Lambert install a rain garden on community property within Hillsmere. If you are interested in learning more about rain gardens, please come out and help plant 136 native plants in the garden and spread mulch. Snacks will be provided! If you have work gloves and shovels or hand trowels, please bring them to the planting. In the event of rain, the planting will take place on November 16th. For more information, please contact Debra atdebralambert99@yahoo.com.

· 9am -12pm Sat., Nov 22, 2014, Heritage Baptist Church Rain Gardens: Volunteers are needed to assist church members of the Heritage Baptist Church in Annapolis to maintain their many onsite rain gardens. Please come to learn about rain garden maintenance, and join the fun and help the church volunteers to keep their many rain gardens in top shape. For more information, contact David at davidatasgard@gmail.com.

»Photo courtesy of Best Buddies Maryland website