Volunteer Opportunities in Edgewater and Nearby

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.

Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks

The Department of Recreation and Parks has launched a “Coats for Kids” campaign this month to help children in need throughout Anne Arundel County this winter. Donated items will be collected through December 8, 2014 and will be distributed by the Anne Arundel County Department of Social Services to children in need. The campaign will accept new or gently used clean winter coats, gloves, mittens, hats, and scarves for children from infants to teens. The goal is to collect over 100 coats and additional winter items that will benefit children in our county this winter. Donated items may be dropped off at the Ice Rink office at the Quiet Waters Park Visitor Center, 600 Quiet Waters Park Road, Annapolis, MD 21403. Ice Rink hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 1– 9 p.m., andSaturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. In appreciation of support, citizens who donate can enter to win a (1) 30-visit coupon pass to the Ice Rink at Quiet Waters Park. For more information contact Chanell at (410) 222-1777 or rpclem10@aacounty.org.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is the largest conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Chesapeake Bay. A wide variety of volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year.See web site www.cbf.org for upcoming projects and opportunities. Also, call (410) 268-8816 or email chesapeake@cbf.org. The office is located at 6 Herndon Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403. A volunteer application form can be submitted from the web site, www.cbf.org . Opportunities include:

· Hands On Restoration Projects: Doing tree nursery work, living shore line, wetland, underwater grass, and oyster restoration and gardening projects, Clean the Bay Day, and more. See website for details and calendar.

· Outreach and Education: Representing CBF at boat shows, seafood festivals, state fairs, and other outreach events, assisting with education programs, participating with the speaker’s bureau to give presentations to interested groups about health of the Bay and its tributaries.

· Advocacy: Provide administrative assistance helping with a variety of office tasks, including research, data entry, answering phones, and mailings. Opportunities are also available to serve as a tour guide at Philip Merrill Environmental Center and the Annapolis green headquarters building.

Hospice of the Chesapeake

We are looking for volunteers to help with our upscale resale store, Treasures, located at Park Plaza in Severna Park. We need help in sorting donations, deciding which items go in the store, arranging the store, and helping sell items on the floor. Also, we need volunteers with their own trucks to pick up and deliver items. Our greatest sales come from furniture. Pick up is in the surrounding areas within Anne Arundel County and you can make your own schedule with the customers who want to donate. The furniture we get donated varies. If you have a truck and a need assistance, we will work with getting you a volunteer to help. Please contact Diane Sancilio atDSancilio@hospicechesapeake.org or 410-987-2003 for more information and to volunteer.

Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD

At the Sanctuary, children and adults collect water samples, clear trails, weigh turtles, guide visitors on nature walks, draw maps, lead canoe trips, make posters, seine for fish, host the Visitor Center on weekends, and more. For more information and for specific opportunities contact Lindsay Hollister at 410-741-9330, or send e-mail to volunteers@jugbay.org. Check the website at:http://www.jugbay.org.

· 8am – 11am, Sat., Nov. 29, 2014, The Jug Bay Post Turkey 5K Race: Enjoy the beautiful, scenic trails of Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Lothian. The trail is all off road with some single track areas. All proceeds from the race go to Recreation Deeds for Special Needs, a local non-profit organization dedicated to making recreational activities accessible to all Anne Arundel County residents. Registration is at 8:30am, the day of the race. The race begins at 9:30am. For more information, or to register online, visitwww.aacounty.org/recparks.

· 1:00 - 3:00 pm Saturday, Dec 6, 2014, Holiday Wreath Workshop: We will supply everything you need to make a beautiful wreath for the holidays using greens from areas around Jug Bay. Whether you are a novice or an expert, we will help you will make a wreath for your front door or a centerpiece for your table. Space is limited, so call 410-741-9330 or emailinfo@friendsofjugbay.org to reserve your place. Fee: $30/person or $25 for active volunteers and FOJB members. Payment must be received by Monday, December 1st. To register, download public registration form atwww.jugbay.org/education Drop off payment or mail your check (made out to Friends of Jug Bay) to 1361 Wrighton Rd, Lothian, MD 20711.

· 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, Saturday, Dec 13, 2014, Trail Monitors Potluck Meeting: This workshop is for existing Trail Monitors and new volunteers interested in joining the program. Existing Trail Monitors will have a chance to share their experiences, and renew their adopted trail for another year. New volunteers will have a chance to learn about the program and adopt available trails of their own. Bring a favorite dish to share. We’ll also take a hike, weather permitting. For adults and families.

Maryland Remembers Ceremony, Dec. 11, 2014

On December 11, 2014, the Maryland Highway Safety Office and MADD Maryland will host the 11th Annual Maryland Remembers Ceremony to honor the victims of impaired driving-related crashes. This ceremony is open to all families and friends of those loved ones lost in these terrible tragedies, and we invite you to reach out to any families that may benefit from this time of gathering and remembrance. Law enforcement officers are requested to attend and escort the victims’ family members and friends down the aisle as a sign of their ongoing commitment to ending impaired driving. Please RSVP throughhttp://www.marylandremembers.com/. The site also contains parking directions to the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium where attendees will be provided with free shuttle rides to and from the event. Please note that doors open at 5:00 p.m.and the event processional will begin at 6:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided before and after the event.

Meade Middle School

Volunteers are being sought to guide deserving Meade Middle School Science to participate effectively in the Science Fair scheduled on Monday, December 15, 2014. Volunteers will help the student write a one-page research paper, write the bibliography, and assemble a backboard display. Volunteers will be guided by science department teachers and must attend a Science Fair Orientation from 2:55–3:55 PM on Tuesday, December 2, 2014, and will be expected to know the scientific method and how to conduct an experiment. For more information and to schedule days and times contact Mrs. McCallister (cmccallister@aacps.org) 410-674-2355 or Rhonda Kane (rlkane@aacps.org).

Reindeer 5K Run & Walk, 8 AM, Sat., Dec. 6, 2014

Volunteers are needed to help with this event being sponsored by Edgewater Fitness, just off Route 2 at 5 Mayo Rd. in Edgewater, MD 21036. The course route loops through Londontowne and then back to Edgewater Fitness. All runners and fans are invited to warm up inside Edgewater Fitness for some refreshments, and holiday fun. The event is stroller and pet friendly. All proceeds benefit Toys for Tots. All race awards will be presented immediately following the race. Visit the website at http://edgewaterfit.com/ to register. For more information and to volunteer, contact Jeff Dibler atinfo@edgewaterfit.com or 410-956-9392.