Volunteering

Opportunities abound for those who want to help

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Road to Recovery is a transportation program that utilizes volunteers to transport patients to and from lifesaving cancer treatment appointments. Training is provided for new participants to become certified volunteer drivers. Call Diana DeHoff at 888-603-4304.

Reach to Recovery is a program designed to provide information and support to anyone facing breast cancer through one-on-one contact with an American Cancer Society volunteer survivor. Call Diana DeHoff at 888-603-4304.

Look Good … Feel Better is another free non-medical program offered to help breast cancer patients. Trained volunteer cosmetologists teach women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using cosmetics and skin products donated by the cosmetic industry. Call 800-ACS-2345 for the Look Good … Feel Better in St. Mary's County.

Breast cancer survivors who would like to be trained to help newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, may call Diana DeHoff at 888-603-4304. In addition, volunteers are always needed to help staff with the many health and wellness events that the American Cancer Society is invited to participate in each year. Ideal volunteers like to talk to people one-on-one, enjoy learning more about cancer prevention, early diagnosis and patient services and are available during the weekday and/or on weekends. Call Diana DeHoff at 888-603-4304.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maryland needs volunteer mentors, board members, event teams and sponsors. Call 301-290-0501.

Birthright needs volunteers to help distribute material goods to families in need with children. Families can receive diapers, baby foods, formula and clothing from newborn to high school and more. Free pregnancy tests are always available. Birthright also needs volunteers to help sort the inventory and put clothing away. Call Dawn Szot at 301-481-1000.

The Board of Commissioners for St. Mary's County needs help from citizens who are interested in volunteering their time in public service to the community by serving on various boards, committees and commissions. Interested citizens can pick up an application in the St. Mary's County Public Information Office, located on the first floor of the Potomac Building (formerly known as the governmental center) in Leonardtown or call 301-475-4200, ext. 1341. Applications and meeting dates and times can be found at www.stmarysmd.com/voluntr/. All applications must include a resume.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland need volunteers for its after-school programming to assist staff in program implementation with members, ages 6 to 14. Hours are Mondays through Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. Call 410-257-0007 or e-mail ssheppard@bgcsm.net.

Christmas in April-St. Mary's County will hold its 19th annual Rebuilding Day on Saturday, April 25. Volunteers are still needed for this event. Of the 23 homes scheduled to be repaired, 14 need roofing repairs or roof replacement, and 10 are in need of wheelchair ramps and hand railings. Many homes need new windows and doors. Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact mary.chasen@christmasinaprilsmc.org or call (301) 863-2905.

The Point Lookout State Park Complex includes four Maryland state parks - St. Mary's River State Park, St. Clement's Island State Park (with the assistance of St. Clement's Island Museum), Greenwell State Park (with the assistance of Greenwell Foundation) and Point Lookout State Park. The Point Lookout complex has many volunteer opportunities for individuals, groups, families, school learning service, business groups, Boy and Girl Scout service projects and spring break alternative projects for college students. Volunteers are also needed to assist the Friends of Point Lookout's groups with projects done at the last remaining Earthen Fort Lincoln and Point Lookout's Lighthouse.

Examples of volunteer opportunities include trail maintenance; animal care; landscaping; conducting historical research; wildlife management; leading canoe trips and hikes; general maintenance; photography; special event helpers and acting as camp host. To set up a volunteer opportunity at Point Lookout State Park call Ranger Robert Jones at 301-872-5688.

EF Foundation for Foreign Study, a group that brings more than 3,000 exchange students to the United States for cultural exchanges, needs volunteer host families for international high school students; volunteers to develop positive relationships with local high schools and volunteer mentors for students from across the globe. Benefits include stipends, travel and merchandise. Contact Jennifer Cohen at 800-447-4273 or jennifer.cohen@ef.com.

Girl Scouts need volunteers to work as assistant leaders/advisors, day camp staff members, spring/summer camp staff members, helping adults, high adventure specialists and program consultants. Volunteers are also needed to serve as a camp-qualified adult, spring/summer camp staff members, first aider, local press representative, troop cookie managers, troop leader/assistant leaders or troop travel consultants. Volunteers who would prefer working only with adults are also needed as recognition committee members, registrars, spring/summer camp staff members, service unit money managers, SHARE leaders and trainers. Contact Lori Davis at 800-834-1702 or ldavis@gscnc.org.

Golden Retriever Rescue of Southern Maryland is a nonprofit group dedicated to finding permanent, loving homes for golden retrievers in need. All goldens in the rescue are neutered or spayed, medical needs are addressed, provided with flea, tick and heartworm prevention and come with a tag, collar, leash and a bag of premium dog food. The all-volunteer organization provides services through temporary in-home placement of dogs in volunteers' homes. The rescue serves St.Mary's, Charles and Calvert counties. Applications, home visits and a $250 donation is required to adopt. Dogs are expected to be full family members and are not to be adopted by individuals who plan to use them as hunters, guard dogs or kept outdoors. In addition to caring for golden retrievers in need, members of the rescue and their golden retrievers participate in "golden get-togethers" that include beach blasts, picnics, hikes, training sessions, holiday parties and more. Volunteers are needed to provide temporary homes for dogs awaiting adoption, do fundraising, home visits and staff information tables.

Visit www.goldenretrieverrescueofsouthernmaryland.org or call 301-994-0132.

The Greenwell Foundation needs volunteers for programs and special projects including gardening, office work, trail and park maintenance, summer camp, barn chores, mowing, special events and fundraising. Foundation programs take place at Greenwell State Park in Hollywood. Call 301-373-9775, e-mail info@greenwellfoundation.org or visit www.greenwellfoundation.org.

Greyt Expectations Greyhound Rescue Inc. is a nonprofit greyhound rescue adoption organization specializing in finding homes for retired racing greyhounds. The group tries to make forever-home matches for these dogs. Volunteers are needed to adopt, foster, help out or donate. Potential volunteers are invited to meet with the group before they decide to volunteer or adopt to make an informed decision. Contact George and Joan Nussberger at 301-373-4820 or Ted and Cindy Skierkiewicz at 240-538-2932 or email info@greytexpectations.org or visit www.greytexpectations.org.

Historic St. Mary's City, the first capitol of Maryland and a living history museum, welcomes volunteers who can help host events, sail a tall ship, work in the gardens and more. Contact Muffin Padukiewicz at 240-895-4991 or e-mail mmpadukiewicz@smcm.edu.

Hospice of St. Mary's relies heavily on volunteers — both direct patient care volunteers, administrative volunteers (in-office help) and special events volunteers. Patient care volunteers need to attend the hospice training, which is offered twice a year. For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator, Jeannie Evans, at 301-475-6478 or at eugenia_evans@smhwecare.com.

The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal, family and service organization committed to charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism. The organization believes in the protection of human life, from conception to natural death, and to the preservation and defense of the family. Catholic men, 18 and older, are eligible for membership. Volunteer activities include support to church, community, families, youth and to the order. Area councils participate in various fundraisers to raise money for the mentally handicapped, as well as other charitable organizations. Examples include soup kitchens, shelters, volunteer fire departments and rescue squads, the Center for Life Enrichment, Special Olympics and Adopt-a-Highway. The Knights of Columbus have eight councils in St. Mary's County. Contact Jerry Hicks at 301-373-5342 to get in touch with a local council. Visit www.kofc.org.

Leah's House, a shelter for women and children, is seeking volunteers. Volunteers are needed to help directly with clients and in the shelter's administrative offices. To obtain a volunteer application, call 301-994-9580 or visit leahshousemd.org.

The Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary needs new members. Members participate in various fundraisers during the year. The proceeds of these events benefit the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad. Funds are used for new equipment and supplies to ensure the ambulances are equipped with the most up to date lifesaving devices to support our community. Prospective volunteers are encouraged to join the auxiliary at its monthly meeting, held on the third Thursday of each month, or call Magdaline at 301-475-5624.

Organizers of the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association Yard Fair, planned for Labor Day, Sept. 7, need volunteers to request donations from individuals and businesses. These donations can be new or saleable items, which will be used for the sale or for the raffle. Volunteers are also needed to pick up items and bring them to various locations. Organizers are also looking for entertainment, such as bands or a DJ. Any type of family entertainment will be considered for the sale day. Yard Fair volunteers are needed for the early morning setup and during the day to sell items and run events. Call 301-884-8195.

Patuxent Habitat for Humanity needs volunteers with computer skills, fundraising experience and building skills. Volunteers are also needed for ReStore, Habitat's discount home center. Contact Laurie Walker at laurie@patuxenthabitat.org or 301-863-6227. Visit www.patuxenthabitat.org.

The St. Mary's Animal Welfare League (SMAWL) is a nonprofit membership organization working to help homeless, abused, and neglected animals. Immediate goals include aggressive campaigns to find homes for homeless cats and dogs and to curb pet overpopulation through spay/neuter programs. Future goals include the building of a no-kill shelter in St. Mary's County. Services provided include pet adoptions, discount spay/neuter vouchers, monthly low-cost rabies clinics and humane education. SMAWL is an all-volunteer organization and welcomes new members and volunteers. SMAWL offers a variety of volunteer opportunities, including fostering animals waiting for adoption. To contact SMAWL, call 301-373-5659 or visit www.smawl.org. Volunteer applications are available at the Web site or can be completed at one of the group's adoption days, held the first and third Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Petco in California.

St. Mary's County Historical Society, headquartered in Tudor Hall in Leonardtown, offers opportunities for volunteerism in its research center/library, archives and other areas. The society also runs the Old Jail and Museum in Leonardtown, which is need of docents who could work one day a week and/or on special occasions. Contact Susan Wolfe, executive director, at 301- 475-2467 or by e-mail at smchsdirector@md.metrocast.net. Visit www.stmaryshistory.org.

The St. Mary's County Museum Division is seeking volunteers to assist at the St. Clement's Island Museum in Colton's Point and the Piney Point Lighthouse, Museum and Historic Park in Piney Point. Adult and student volunteers are needed to assist staff with daily operations, special events and programs. Volunteer positions include but, are not limited to tour guides, artifact and archival collections assistants, front desk greeters, gift shop clerks, traveling exhibit assistants and children's programs assistants. Volunteers may choose to work a variety of positions but are asked to contribute at least four hours per month. The museum will provide any necessary training. The St. Clement's Island Museum offers special training to those interested in working with artifact and archival collections. Community service and service learning students are welcome. Contact St. Clement's Island Museum Site Supervisor Chris Barbour at 301-769-4723 or Piney Point Lighthouse Site Supervisor April Havens at 301-994-1471.

St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary participates in activities that generate funds used to improve or expand hospital facilities and services in support of the community. Auxiliary members raise funds via bingo games and vending machines; a Christmas bazaar at the hospital; cookbook sales; newborn photos, a golf tournament and the operation of the hospital's gift shop.

Call Kay Owens at 301-373-3626.

Historic Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood needs volunteers to help with special events; the Museum Shop; historical interpretation; working with the garden guild to maintain and improve the historic gardens and running educational programs. Contact Debbie Reetz at 301-373-2280, e-mail volunteer@sotterley.org or visit www.sotterley.org.

The Southern Maryland Child Care Resource Center in Charlotte Hall has a resource store supplied with story props, finger play props, flannel boards, games and other educational activities that providers as well as teachers can use with the children that they work with. Volunteers are needed to help create these items. The volunteer would have to cut, laminate, sort and glue items.

Contact Tina Diaduk, accreditation coordinator, at 301-290-0040, ext.13, or at tdiaduk@smccrc.org.

Special Olympics is a volunteer-driven organization. Volunteers can coach athletes, help with fundraising, coordinate events, work in the food area at local events, give office support, volunteer on days of events/tournaments, serve on committees, serve as a coach or assistant coach, play on teams (softball, golf, basketball, etc) as partners playing with the athletes, swim one-on-one at training with an athlete, ski as a coach or partner on a mountain, play golf as a partner with an athlete and more.

Contact Mary Lu Bucci, county director of Special Olympics St. Mary's County, at 25926 Whiskey Creek Road, Hollywood, MD 20636; call 301-373-3469 or e-mail somdsmc@md.metrocast.net.

Three Oaks Center operates two shelters, one for men and the other for women and women with children. Three Oaks has volunteer opportunities for weekend monitors in four-hour shifts, from 8 a.m. to noon and from noon to 4 p.m., in each of these shelters. House monitors are responsible for maintaining a safe and orderly group living environment and for assisting residents with meals and assigned program activities. An orientation for house monitors is required. Contact Three Oaks Center at 301-863-9535.

TRICO Corporation is a private, nonprofit, charitable corporation founded locally in 1987 to serve the mental health needs of all, regardless of ability to pay. Volunteer opportunities are available. For more information call 301-862-4961. Visit www.tricocorp.org.

Tri-County Youth Services Bureau needs community volunteer speakers for its youth development groups, including Youth Leadership Development, Best Foot Forward for girls, and Step on Up for boys. Volunteers must be 21 or older. Speakers focus on career development, etiquette, social skills, relationships and leadership development. Groups are held at various locations in Lexington Park.  Contact Sheila Martel, Youth Development Specialist at 301-866-5332 or smartel@tcysb.org.

Walden/Sierra is seeking volunteers to assist with administrative duties and fundraising events. Call 301-997-1300, ext. 804.

The Enterprise maintains a listing of volunteer opportunities in the community. The listing or portions of it will be published on a space-available basis in the newspaper. Groups or organizations interested in volunteer assistance that are not listed above may write a description of their group and the kind of volunteer work that is available, including contact information, and submit it to Susan Craton, community editor, at scraton@somdnews.com.