Volunteers Needed: Girl Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, Maryland Food Bank, MD Welcome Center and More

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.VolunteerAnneArundel.org. A few current volunteer opportunities are listed below.

Clay Street Computer Learning Center

The Center is a free storefront computer lab providing a safe and educational haven for the children of Clay Street. An after school program offering a nurturing environment for the students to do their homework, school projects, learn age-appropriate educational software and, with guidance, explore the world through the internet. Volunteers, 15 and older, are needed Mon. through Fri., 10 am – 6 pm, to offer students friendly assistance and guidance with their homework and other educational computer projects. Call 410-280-6467or email: KRAMRAC@AOL.COM.

Friends of Back Creek Nature Park

This nonprofit organization assists the City of Annapolis Recreation and Parks Department with the preservation, Juvenile Service restoration, and enhancement of the park. Volunteers of all ages are welcome from supervised youngsters to adults, including Master Gardeners. There are a myriad of other opportunities for participating in and supporting the BCNP mission, including board and general members, volunteers, project leaders, donors, partners, sponsors, etc.  Projects can be carved out for volunteers who want to come by at their convenience and take responsibility for a particular sub-task or project. For more information call 410-263-7959, or check the Recreation and Parks Dept. web site at www.annapolis.gov.

Girl Scouts of Central Maryland

Serving all of Central Maryland, the Girl Scouts help girls develop courage, confidence, character and leadership skills that they will use throughout their lives. Girl Scout volunteering offers many flexible options, for both individuals and groups, whether you want to work directly with the girls throughout the year or lend expertise for a specific short-term project or event, even if your schedule allows you to only give a few hours. Training is provided and is tailored to each position. Volunteers should be 18 and older. For more information, contact Katie Pedersen at 410-358-9711 X219 orkpedersen@gscm.org or visit the website www.gscm.org. Special volunteer needs:

·                  Volunteer Harvest for the Hungry Campaign Managers: GSCM is seeking volunteer campaign managers for this year round program. Responsibilities of the manager include recruiting additional campaign volunteers, promoting the program, and tracking, recording and reporting campaign data. Interested candidates should contact staff liaison, Sherry Dowdell at 410-852-8901 or sdowdell@gscm.org.

·                  Learning Team Leaders: A variety of adult trainers for various outdoor camping, first-aid, and other leadership activities are needed. Contact Valerie Brooks at 410-358-9711 for more information.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, Columbia, Dundalk, Halethorpe, and Pasadena ReStores

At the ReStores, volunteers are needed for sales, stocking and receiving merchandise, picking up donated merchandise, planning pick-up routes, phone work, and more. Restore now has four locations: 1. 8101 Ft. Smallwood Road, Pasadena;   2. 505 Kane St., Baltimore; 3. 3741 Commerce Dr., #311, Halethorpe; and 4. Columbia ReStore,8909 McGaw Ct, Columbia MD. Volunteers age 16 and up are needed who can help weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Volunteer opportunities are available Monday through Saturday, 9 am–6 pm, at all four store locations. You can also volunteer at the Columbia ReStore on Sundays, 12 pm–5 pm. To volunteer, email volunteerrestore@habitatchesapeake.org with the dates, times and location for your desired volunteer experience, or call 443-240-8105 Monday through Saturday, 9 am–5 pm to schedule your volunteer days. See website athttp://www.chesapeakerestore.org for more information.

The James E. Lewis Museum of Art

The James E. Lewis Museum of Art on the campus of Morgan State University in the Murphy Fine Arts Center is currently seeking Volunteers for Docent and Volunteer training opportunities. Specifically, help is needed at the front desk, with organizing and maintaining collections, digitization of records, administrative or educational tasks, and outreach volunteers. Training will be provided. For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Tina Stevenson at tina.stevenson@morgan.edu or 443-885-3895. Website:www.jelmamuseum.org/.

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 unless otherwise noted below, contact Lindsay Hollister at 410-741-9330, or send e-mail tovolunteers@jugbay.org. Check the website at: http://www.jugbay.org.

The Maryland Food Bank

The Maryland Food Bank is looking for volunteers at its location in Halethorpe (So. Baltimore) on Mon. through Fri. for 3 hour shifts from 9:00am – 4:00pm to help sort and box food.  Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age or older (age 18 to work on the conveyor) and closed toed shoes must be worn. We offer volunteer opportunities in our warehouse and Community Kitchen and from time to time, office volunteers are needed. See website:https://www.mdfoodbank.org/volunteer/ for a volunteer registration application and more information or contact Jim Rowlett, Volunteer Manager,jrowlett@mdfoodbank.org or 410.737.8282 ext 270.

·        July 11-13, 2014, Baltimore Orioles Food Drive: For the 28th year, the Baltimore Orioles will host a Food & Funds Drive at Oriole Park at Camden Yards from July 11 – 13. WJZ-13 is the media sponsor for this event. During the 3-game series against the New York Yankees, the Orioles wives, the WJZ broadcast team and volunteers from the Maryland Food Bank will be collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations from fans at all stadiums gates. See the website for more information at www.mdfoodbank.org.

MD Office of Tourism Development Welcome Center Program

Volunteer at one of Maryland’s Welcome Centers by joining the award winning Ambassador program.  The volunteer staff welcomes visitors and local residents coming to the Welcome Centers for Maryland information. They also offer assistance with directions and transportation options, hotel accommodations, assist visitors with itineraries, greet motor coaches and work with tourism industry and private sector representatives within Maryland.   Each volunteer works at least one 4-hour shift every week at the Welcome Center desk: Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. All Centers are closed on all State holidays.  The Maryland Welcome Centers are located in Howard County on I-95.  Training is provided and volunteer activities are planned throughout the year. Contact Margie Long at 301-490-1333 or mlong@visitmaryland.org to obtain an application. Or, visitwww.visitmaryland.org - click on “Getting Here” then “Welcome Centers”, and then “Volunteer Opportunities” at the bottom of the page.