Volunteer Opportunities in Anne Arundel County

From a news release:

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

Anne Arundel County Animal Control

Animal control provides a variety of services to the community, including adoption and foster programs for the benefit of domestic animals and offers a variety of volunteer opportunities that are available to assist the agency in carrying out its mission. Volunteers may perform many helpful tasks including, but not limited to, hands on interaction with the animals, showing animals to prospective adopters, assisting customers, answering phones, filing, photography and multi-media tasks. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, be able to meet the 16 hour per month requirement of volunteer service hours and be prepared to comply with all volunteer policies at Animal Control. Please contact P93282@aacounty.org or call us at 410-222-8900 if you have questions about volunteering. See website at: www.aacounty.org/AnimalControl/VolunteerProgram.cfm for more information and a downloadable Volunteer Application Form.

Christmas Donations: Since county residents often donate and inquire if there are specific needs, please visit the Animal Control Accepted Donations page at:www.aacounty.org/AnimalControl/WishList.cfm#.Um_WGBAljO8any time of the year, but especially during the Christmas Season. Items may be dropped off during shelter viewing hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. For more information, contact P93282@aacounty.org or call us at 410-222-8900.

Maryland Children’s Alliance
The Mission of Maryland Children’s Alliance is to ensure that every child in Maryland has access to the full services of a children’s advocacy center, MCA supports the training and coordination of the multidisciplinary teams across the state that intervene in cases of child physical and sexual abuse. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available involving fundraising, and administrative or office support. For more information contact psmith@marylandchildrensalliance.org and see web site:www.marylandchildrensalliance.org/.

Let’s Go Boys and Girls (LET’S GO)

The mission of the nonprofit LETS GO is to inspire and support underserved students to become STEM professionals. LET’S GO partners with schools and youth organizations and helps them deliver fun, hand-on STEM activities to students K through 8th grade. We focus on underserved students as this is the area of greatest need. Our students participate in project based learning in the areas of robotics, science/engineering, and math. LET’S GO needs volunteers to help the teachers serving as instructors for our STEM activities. Volunteers with a STEM background mentor the teachers and enrich the delivery of STEM content. They support the teachers who serve as the primary STEM instructors. LET’S GO has found that organizing teams of volunteers to commit to the support of a single STEM activity at a specific location is a good approach. Our goal is to train a team of two to four volunteers from a government agency, corporation or group of retirees to ensure there is a minimum of one volunteer for each session. The team becomes self-managing after we provide training using our curriculum manuals. For more information contact Clark ‘Corky’ Graham at (443) 994-3730 or corky@letsgoboysandgirls.com. See website atwww.letsgoboysandgirls.com/.

Project Linus- Anne Arundel County

Project Linus is a volunteer non-profit organization with a two-fold mission. First, it is the mission of Project Linus to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” Second, it is the mission of Project Linus to provide a rewarding and fun service opportunity for interested individuals and groups in our community, for the benefit of children. The Anne Arundel County Chapter of Project Linus meets on the third Saturday of each month (except July & August) from 10am till noon at the Severna Park Community Center on Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. in Severna Park. Please contact Linda Gorman atAnnapolis.MD@projectlinus.org for additional information.

Salvation Army

Food Pantry – Volunteers are needed to drop off food donations Mondaythrough Friday for the Salvation Army’s food pantries in Annapolis and Glen Burnie. Suggested food items include nonperishable canned goods and boxed food. Donations of toiletries are also welcome. Groups that hold food drives can make arrangements to have the food picked up.

Christmas Programs – At no other time of the year are volunteers needed more than during the Christmas Holiday. Committed and dedicated helpers are needed to provide services in a vast array of areas. These include, but are not limited to: Red Kettle Campaign, Angel Tree, Food Drive, Dress-A-Bear Program, Stocking Stuffers and Distribution Day Holiday Events. For more information and to volunteer, contact Captains Richard and/or Ruth New at 410-263-4091 or Richard_New@uss.salvationarmy.org.

SPCA of Anne Arundel County

Volunteers, age 18 and up (or 13-17 with parental accompaniment), are needed to walk dogs, socialize cats, provide foster care for “in-need” animals, help with adoption shows, bathe and brush dogs or help with any other available opportunities. Regular volunteers walk dogs, play with cats, provide foster care for “in-need” animals, help with adoption shows, bathe and brush dogs, assist potential adopters, and help with events. Training sessions are held once each month. The SPCA does not offer opportunities to fulfill court-ordered community service. Call 410-268-4388 or E-mail volunteer@aacspca.org. See:www.aacspca.org.

Wish List of Items needed for the shelter: premium dog, puppy, cat and kitten food; six-foot nylon leashes and adjustable nylon puppy and adult collars; covered cat beds (not foam);grooming brushes, combs, nail trimmers and clippers and more. Contact 410-268-4388 for information about times that donations are accepted.

South County Assistance Network

The South County Assistance Network, Inc. (SCAN) is a nonprofit organization of individuals from the faith community, business community, social services and other nonprofit organizations working together to provide assistance to those in need in our community. SCAN Food Bank, serving southern Anne Arundel County, is open Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am - 12 noon at St. James Church, 5757 Solomon’s Island Road, Lothian, MD. For more information call 410-867-2838.

The Sharing Foundation

This local nonprofit assists the families of the working needy and special situation families in Anne Arundel County. Volunteers assist with programs such as Santa’s Share Your Christmas, Books for Kids, Children’s Winter Coats, fundraising and special events. Contact 443-603-1560 or e-mailemail@thesharingfoundation.org, Website: www.thesharingfoundation.org.

Toys for Tots Campaign–U.S. Marine Corps Reserve

The local Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots is a toy drive for the underprivileged children in the local area. With many Marines serving on foreign shores, now more than ever, the Toys for Tots program needs the assistance of members of the community to help make this year’s campaign better than ever. For more information on the program and a list of sponsoring businesses across the county, go to www.facebook.com/aatoys4tots.