Volunteer opportunities

Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007

Citizens for the Charles County Public Library is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that helps supplement the library’s budget. To accomplish this, the nonprofit solicits members from the community, holds two annual book bazaars and operates a bookstore in the La Plata library branch from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays. CCPL is seeking volunteers to help sort books at the bookstore on Saturday and to help with book bazaars. Call 301-645-3319.

Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, a nonprofit organization whose volunteers educate the public and potential owners about caring for Great Danes through various community efforts, is looking for caring, responsible individuals interested in providing foster homes for the breed of large dogs.

Great Danes do not usually thrive in a kennel environment, and the foster system provides a positive alternative until a permanent adoptive family can be found. Volunteers evaluate the habits and behaviors of the dogs and are able to offer a potential adopter detailed information about the dog, in turn helping to make a better match between the dog and his or her adoptive family.

Volunteer foster home providers must be able to give the dog or dogs the necessary attention, space, care and time. Interested volunteers may call 410-945-5454 to request an application. Go to www.magdrl.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Southern Maryland is seeking volunteers to mentor youth ages 7 to 14 in the tri-county area. Time commitment is at least six hours a month. Call 301-290-0501.

Maryland Veterans Memorial Museum is a nonprofit organization open to all Maryland veterans. The goal is to build a state-of-the art facility on the site of Glasva Elementary School.Ideally, the facility will have a statewide theme and will serve to educate the public regarding the heroic efforts of past and present Maryland veterans. The board of directors continues to seek volunteers to assist with mailing letters, cold calling and fundraising.Call Edward Holland at 301-934-3443.

Volunteer Southern Maryland is a community-based program housed at the College of Southern Maryland that helps individuals locate meaningful opportunities to volunteer and provides nonprofit agencies in the tri-county region a way to post their current volunteer programs and opportunities. The primary role of VSMD is to recruit and mobilize citizens to meet local needs through volunteer service. VSMD provides consultation, training and technical assistance to businesses and nonprofit organizations that work with volunteers to build their skills in recruiting, managing, retaining and recognizing volunteers.

To volunteer or for individuals seeking volunteer opportunities, call Anne Whisner, coordinator of service and volunteerism, at 301-934-7642. E-mail annew@csmd.edu or go to www.csmd.edu⁄vsmd.

Tri-County Animal Shelter in Hughesville is in need of volunteers 14 and older to assist caring for the many animals in its facility. Volunteers are needed to clean kennels, wash bowls and toys, do laundry, sweep, take pictures of pets available for adoption and spend time with the animals at the shelter. Call 800-903-1992 to volunteer.

Charles County Resident Advocacy Program is recruiting adults, 21 and older, to volunteer their time on a weekly or monthly basis, to visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the county. The schedule for one-on-one training is flexible. Call Kim Sines at 301-934-0133 or 301-870-3388, Ext. 5133, or e-mailsinesk@charlescounty.org.

Center for Abused Persons is in need of on-call outreach volunteers (24⁄7) to aid and support domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual assault victims at Civista Medical Center and the Charles County Courthouse. Volunteers must be 21, willing to commit to at least eight hours per week and be reliable. Training will be provided. The organization is also in need of volunteers to serve on its board of directors. For an application, call Diane at 301-645-9387. To serve on the board, call 301-645-8994.

First Book is a national nonprofit organization that provides children from economically disadvantaged environments the opportunity to own and read their first new books. First Book Charles County Board has partnered with several local literacy programs, and each month members of the board volunteer to distribute books, read to children and work on fundraising events. The group is seeking volunteers. Call V. Gray at 301-775-4089 or e-mail charlescounty_md@firstbook.org. The board meets once a month at the Ruth B. Swann Library in Indian Head.

Civista Health Auxiliary is in need of volunteers to work at Civista Medical Center with the coffee cart and in various other departments. Call the auxiliary at 301-609-4129.

Charles County Children’s Aid Society is looking for volunteers for its board of directors. Ideal members are compassionate and understanding to struggling families, able to commit two hours a month, attend bimonthly meetings and assist with various fundraisers. Interested candidates may request an application packet at 301-645-1561.

Court Appointed Special Advocate Program of Southern Maryland is recruiting volunteers for biannual training classes in Charles and St. Mary’s counties. CASA volunteers provide information to the court about abused and neglected children by assessing the child’s case and providing facts and recommendations regarding placement and services in the child’s best interest. Candidates are trained in the juvenile court process and laws, socialservices, advocacy, the dynamics of child abuse and neglect and child development. Requirements include objectivity, strong communication skills and an interest in children. No special experience or background is required, but candidates must be 21. Time commitment is about 10-15 hours a month. Charles County volunteers call Stefanie Myers at 301-609-9887 or e-mail casacc@center-for-children.org. St. Mary’s volunteers call Rose Deckelman at 301-475-6667 or e-mail casasmd@center-for-children.org. This is a program of the Center for Children Inc.

Alternatives for Youth and Families Inc. is in need of foster parents and landlords for Southern Maryland teens with mental health issues. Call Sarah Winter-Kolbe at 301-884-0312, Ext. 122.

Community Support Systems Inc. in Brandywine is in need of volunteers to assist and supervise food tables at its food pantry Wednesday and⁄or Friday mornings. Volunteers are also needed to set up displays and hand out brochures on the agency’s mission at community functions. Call 301-372-1491 or e-mail CSS1995@aol.com.

Catholic Charities is in need of a part-time handyman for its Angel’s Watch women’s shelter in Hughesville. Call 301-274-0680.

Catherine Foundation Pregnancy Care Center in Waldorf is in need of volunteer carpenters or handymen for upkeep and repairs around the center, as well as volunteer client advocates and receptionists. Call 301-870-4911.

Andrews Air Force Base Military Retiree Activities Office helps military retirees, their families and surviving spouses in the region. The office is looking for military retirees to volunteer for five hours each week. Volunteers deal with a variety of issues from the survivors benefit plan to obtaining documents for retirees from the National Records Center. Retirees from all services are needed. Training will be supplied by fellow retirees. The office is open from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. Call retired Senior Master Sgt. John Neves at 301-981-2726 or 703-971-3962 or e-mail 89aw.rao@andrews.af.mil.

Christmas in April CharlesCounty is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to rebuilding and repairing homes of elderly, disabled and below-income residents. Volunteers are needed for the group’s annual National Rebuilding Day, which is held each April at a variety of locations in the county. Throughout the year, volunteers are also sought for the group’s public relations committee, including Web page design and maintenance, the ways and means committee, the volunteers committee (recruitment and management) and the house selection committee. Interested individuals or groups should e-mail cccia@comcast.net or call 301-392-0202 or 240-375-5459.

Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum in Waldorf is looking for adults interested in becoming tour guides at the circa 1830 period home. Training will be provided. Call 301-274-9358.