Volunteers Needed: Across the Bay 10K, Pet Therapy, First Sunday Arts Fest + Seafood Festival

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 the website: www.VolunteerAnneArundel.org. A few current volunteer opportunities are listed below.

Across the Bay 10K, Chesapeake Bay Bridge Run, Nov. 9, 2014

This race will need 2000+ volunteers. Sign up now! The Race Director of the B.A.A Boston Marathon is coming to Maryland to help create an unbelievable event for the communities and great charity partners! If you want to be involved in the most exciting event around, you don’t have to be a runner to share in the excitement. We need a lot of volunteers to help with a wide range of activities ranging from packet pick-up for runners, taking team photos for our runner groups, hosting VIPs from around the world, manning our water station on the Bridge, setting up signs and banners on the Bridge before the race, serving finish line food to our hungry runners and so much more! You don’t have to be strong to volunteer. You don’t have to be young to volunteer. You just have to be excited to volunteer! We need you, your civic groups, your church groups and your friends to make this all possible. Sign up today through http://www.bridgerace.com/volunteers.php as a valued Bridge Race volunteer! Questions? Contact: volunteer@bridgerace.com

Anne Arundel County Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair, Sat., September 27, 2014

This Fair is sponsored by the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management, Citizen Corps, the Volunteer Center for Anne Arundel County, Lowe’s, and the AA County Local Emergency Planning Committee with the purpose of providing information to the public to prepare it for emergencies. September is National Preparedness Month whose theme for 2014 is “Be Disaster Aware, Take Action to Prepare.” The event will be held from 10 AM–2PM, Sat, Sept. 27, 2014 (rain or shine) at the Lowe’s at Quarterfield Crossing Shopping Center, 415 George Claus Blvd, Severn, MD 21144. There will be demonstrations, information booths, giveaways, activities, emergency vehicles, and food. For more information, including volunteer opportunities, visit our website: www.volunteerannearundel.org/OpportunityCalendar .

Arundel House of Hope Literacy Program

The Sylvia Meisenberg Adult Literacy Program is a new program offered by Arundel House of Hope to help improve the literacy and basic education levels of those served. The program is designed to help our clients grow as individuals and become more productive in their lives and society. The program is named after Sylvia Meisenberg, who was very active with the Arundel House of Hope’s Winter Relief Program. Thanks to the generous contribution from the Sylvia Meisenberg Foundation, Arundel House of Hope can now share Sylvia’s spirit in providing an adult literacy program to our clients. Volunteers are needed as tutors and/or to help with administration of the program. The program is also asking for donations such as books, appropriate reading materials and items to use as prizes or gifts, i.e. gifts cards and backpacks. For more information contact: Elaine Hill, Literacy Program Manager, at 410-863-4888, ext. 113; email: ehill@arundelhoh.org.

· 12 Noon–1:00 pm, Thurs., 9/4/14, Literacy Program Dedication Luncheon: Those interested in literacy programs are invited to attend the event being held at Arundel House of Hope’s Community Recovery Center, 514 Crain Hwy., Glenn Burnie, 21061. Please R.S.V.P. to Elaine Hill, Literacy Program Manager, at 410-863-4888, ext. 113 or ehill@arundelhoh.org.

Dogwood Acres Caring Canines Program

Caring Canines is a pet therapy program created by Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat to provide certified pet therapy teams who offer unconditional love and a peaceful presence to those in need in our community. Caring Canine’s mission is to partner with local organizations to provide volunteer pet therapy teams who enrich lives by promoting physical and emotional health, and to help comfort and bring happiness to those in need. For more information contactcaringcanines@dogwoodacres.com or (443) 203-1209; see website atwww.dogwoodacres.com.

· 9:00 am–5:30 pm, Sat., Sept. 13, 2014, One Day Pet Therapy Workshop:The Pet Partner Workshop, being held at Hampton Inn and Suites in Annapolis, is offered in a classroom setting to assist in educating those interested in Animal Assisted Interactions. The class will cover a handler’s most important job, teach animal essential skills, discuss environmental awareness, and dissect the parts of an actual visit to prepare students for working with clients. The workshop will also demonstrate the skills necessary for passing a Pet Partner evaluation. Manuals, Class Materials & Lunch provided. Registration is required – emailmimibrandt@aol.com .

· Sun. & Mon., Sept.14 & 15, 2014, Pet Partner Evaluations: Bring the canine half of your team to Hampton Inn & Suites Annapolis for your 30-minute Pet Partner evaluation. Evaluation slots fill up quickly; two days are set aside for evaluations as only 13 can be performed in one day. Contactmimibrandt@aol.com to register and make an appointment.

Eastport United Methodist Church Homework and Reading Program

Adult volunteer tutors and readers are being sought for the Church’s Program which serves neighborhood Latino children after school. For more information contact Joyce Conley at joyceconley2010@gmail.com .

First Sunday Arts Festival

The streets and parks on West and Calvert Streets in the downtown historic area will be filled with over 100 unique artists and crafters, live bands, dance, street performers, and international outdoor cafes for the 12th Annual First Sunday Arts Festival. The dates for 2014 are the first Sunday in the months May through October: September 7, and October 5, each from 12:00 noon-5:00 pm. There is also a First Sunday Holiday Arts Sale on November 2 at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts at 801 Chase Street. Admission is free to all First Sunday events. Volunteers are needed to help on four different shifts each Sunday between the hours of 8:00 AM–5:00 PM with set-up, assist the coordinator, and assist exhibitors/musicians/performers. Contact Julie Scott at: juscott10@gmail.com or410-263-4012 for more information and to volunteer. See web site at:www.firstsundayarts.com/ .

Maryland Seafood Festival, Sept. 6-7, 2014

The 47th Annual Maryland Seafood Festival is seeking volunteers, age 18 and up, for its annual event which will take place at Sandy Point State Park on Sept. 6-7, 2014. Volunteers are needed man the festival front gate, as VIP host/hostess, help with parking and a variety of other miscellaneous festival positions. Volunteer help will also be needed to help with setup on Fri., Sept. 5, and for break down on Mon., Sept. 8. Volunteers receive admission to the Festival and free parking. Festival hours are Sat., Sept. 6 from 10:00am– 9:00pm and Sun., Sept. 7 from 10:00am –7:00pm. To volunteer and for more information, visit the website at www.mdseafoodfestival.com (Click on “Participate”) or contact volunteer@mdseafoodfestival.com .

YMCA Camp Letts

This Edgewater camp needs volunteers for ongoing upkeep of buildings grounds, trail clearing and general office support at the Retreat Center and Camp office. Lead by our volunteer Advisory Board, YMCA Camp Letts also offers a large slate of volunteer driven special events dedicated to raising scholarship funds to help send kids to camp. Whether it’s the annual Turkey Chase, Women’s Wellness Weekend (This year on 9/20-21/14), the Golf Tournament, or Rockin’ on the Rhode, each event is its own brand of camp fun and they all offer wonderful opportunities to make friends while making a difference. For more information, and contact Chessa Ormond at 410-919-1411 or chessacampletts@yahoo.com See website: www.campletts.org/ .