Focus on 5 Nonprofits Who Welcome Volunteers

Nonprofits that make a difference in our area are hard to narrow down to just five, but here are Patch’s picks for this week. If you choose just one to get involved with, you’ll feel great and be doing your community a world of good.

1. FRIENDS OF KINDER FARM PARK

This is a group of volunteers who enjoy the outdoor life. , tucked into Severna Park off Jumper’s Hole Road, with a Millersville address, isn’t just athletic fields. This park, operated by the Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks Department, is constantly teeming with activity. Playgrounds, walking, biking and jogging trails, an active 4H Club, working barns, silos, pavilions and events throughout the year, all need folks like you to help keep them up and running.

The park is lucky to have , a group of volunteers who help with funding, hosting events and activities that highlight a typical working farm set in Maryland during the 1930s.  Always looking for neighbors to get involved in a group whose motto is “preserve, protect, promote,” you can join them and get more info by going to their website: www.kinderfarmpark.org.

2. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

of the Chesapeake (HFHC) is a nonprofit which provides simple, decent, affordable houses for deserving families who currently live in substandard conditions in Anne Arundel County and the Baltimore area. Volunteers are needed to help with construction. Many support volunteer opportunities also exist in providing lunches and serving long-term on committees involved.

For volunteers interested in learning additional construction skills that are willing to commit to regular volunteer days, you may consider becoming a “Red Hat” (volunteers who serve as construction leaders on build sites). HFCH will provide specialized training to equip you to supervise volunteer teams. For more information call 410-366-1250 Ext. 111, e-mail mherzberg@habitatchesapeake.org. Coming up? Groups of eight to 12 women are needed on each of these dates to help get the Women Build House on Clay Street in Annapolis finished and ready to go. If you are interested or have questions, please call or e-mail Matt Herzberg,volunteer coordinator at 410-366-1250 Ext. 111 or e-mail mherzberg@habitatchesapeake.org.

3. MEALS ON WHEELS (MOW) (throughout Anne Arundel County)

Individuals and groups can assist the homebound for . Volunteer as little as an hour a month to make a world of difference. Drivers are needed to deliver meals Monday through Friday (holidays included) between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  Volunteers also needed to accompany drivers, pack meals, or make birthday or other greeting cards to be delivered with the meals.

Many opportunities are flexible, and training is provided. Locations include Woods Presbyterian Church in Severna Park.

Cape St. Claire/St. Margaret, Crofton, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Odenton and Old Mill communities are in urgent need. Call Terry Lehr at 1-866-558-0827, 410-431-5257, or e-mail lehr@mowcm.org. See www.mealsonwheelsmd.org

Young Volunteers are encouraged to help MOW. Young people in AA County, over age 14, can serve Monday through Friday. Packers are needed from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. to prepare and package meals for clients at any of the three kitchen sites, while visitor volunteers, 18 years and up, can help to deliver the meals to the clients with an experienced volunteer from 10:30 am until 1:30 pm. Younger volunteers, if they have a MOW volunteer as a parent or grandparent, can visit and deliver meals with their relative. Call MOW at 410-431-5257 for more information or to volunteer.

4. SEVERNA PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

The volunteer opportunities at our wonderful abound. Eager to give back? Pick from many opportunities that include working with youth, tutoring in Math or English at the After-School-Middle-School Program, serving on the board or a standing committee, helping with maintenance work, gardening or coordinating reservations and working with events. Volunteers are always needed to supervise open gym time for basketball or volleyball. Call Chris Marsala at 410-647-5843 Ext. 201 or e-mail cmarsala@severnaparkcommunitycenter.com. Better yet, visit the center and see what all the fuss is all about. So much energy abounds!

5. DRIVING MISS DARBY FOUNDATION, INC.

This selfless nonprofit organization was founded by Millersville mom Darby Steadman and her friends. Its mission is to support breast cancer research and patients enrolled in clinical trials. The goal of the foundation is to reduce the burdens that trial patients face during their treatment commitment by defraying the costs associated with travel, lodging and medical expenses. Their focus is on three areas:

• Awareness: Educate the public on clinical trials and their contribution to medical treatment.
• Accrual: Support recruitment and retention of patients in clinical trial research for breast cancer.
• Assistance: Provide financial support and outreach to patients participating in clinical trials for breast cancer.

Coming soon is a great way to get involved: The 3rd Annual Driving Miss Darby Golf Tournament and Benefit, March 19 and 20, 2011.  For more information on the foundation and the tournament, go to www.drivingmissdarby.org.