Community Corner

Volunteer Opportunities, Including Watershed Cleanup

The Volunteer Center of Anne Arundel County has numerous openings throughout the county for teen and adult volunteers.

The Volunteer Center For Anne Arundel County has many nonprofit groups looking for volunteers.

Many opportunities include activities for young people to contribute their time for community service hours.

If you do not see an opportunity below that fits your needs, contact the Volunteer Center at info@volunteerannearundel.org or 410-897-9207. Visit www.VolunteerAnneArundel.org for more information.

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According to the news announcement, here are a few current volunteer opportunities for you to consider:

  • Severn River Association Project Clean Stream
    The Severn River Association needs at least 100 people, ages 16 and up, from 9 a.m. to noon on March 31 (rain or shine) to clean up old dump sites on Clements Creek and Luce Creek off the Severn River.
    These sites are not child-friendly, as the largest quantities of trash are on steep slopes. All cleanup supplies will be provided, but if you have favorite, comfortable work gloves feel free to bring them. Wear sturdy shoes, important for this site’s terrain.
    Volunteers for Clements Creek, will meet at Ram’s Head Roadhouse Tavern, 1773 Generals Highway, about two miles north of the Annapolis Mall on Route 178; those for Luce Creek, meet at 1920 N. Lawrence Rd., which is just off Bestgate Road. Lawrence is the first street west of the traffic light at Old Bestgate and Bestgate, and leads to the Unitarian Church, which is also sponsoring this project.
    This effort is part of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s annual effort, Project Clean Stream. For more information, contact jhwright14@verizon.net.
  • Help Save the Bay Day
    Volunteers are needed to help to control stormwater runoff by learning how to build a rain garden, weed and plant garden areas, clean up underbrush, trash and other debris from Lake Waterford Park from 9 a.m. to noon on April 21.
    Volunteers will meet at the pavilion near the parking lot at 830 Pasadena Rd., Pasadena.
    Volunteer waivers must be signed, either there or in advance. The waiver form can be emailed and must be co-signed by a parent for volunteers under age 18. Watershed Stewards will be on site to discuss problems facing the Magothy River Watershed and to assign tasks.
    Participants should wear work clothes and closed-toe shoes. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water, work gloves, and if available: gardening tools (marked with your name) including rakes, trowels, hoes, etc. (some tools will be provided).
    For information, contact Sarah Litts at sarahlitts@volunteerannearundel.org or Fay Mauro at fay@volunteerannearundel.org or 410-897-9207.
  • Maryland Environmental Trust
    The Maryland Environmental Trust, which preserves open space by working with owners of farm, forest or historic properties, needs office volunteers, age 20 and up, at its Crownsville office to help with administrative support by managing stewardship materials for use by staff and monitoring volunteers.
    Tasks may include scanning of slides and easement exhibits, organizing easement information, data entry, preparing and mailing correspondence, and maintaining contact with easement landowners. Hours are flexible and training is provided; basic computer skills are required.
    A field monitoring volunteer also is needed to visit properties to check compliance with easement restrictions to ensure that protected farms and forests remain undeveloped. Visits are made to significant natural areas, farms and forest land, waterfronts, historic viewsheds and scenic landscapes.
    Volunteers participate in a one-day training session and agree to complete five or more visits. Volunteers should be over 20 years of age, physically able to walk over potentially rugged terrain and have their own transportation.
    All volunteers will enjoy meaningful work with a personable, dedicated, and appreciative staff. Contact Michelle Johnson at 410-514-7908 or mjohnson@dnr.state.md.us, or visit www.dnr.state.md.us/met.
  • Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) “Walk Like MADD” 2012 Walk, May 12
    Volunteers, 14 years of age and up, are needed the day before, day of, and the days after, the Walk for a variety of positions. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. May 12 at Federal Hill Park, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on the day of the event.
    See the website for more information and to sign up online. Also, contact Caroline Cash at caroline.cash@madd.org or call 410-964-5757.
  • Naval Support Activity Annapolis Exercise, March 19–21
    The Naval Support Activity Annapolis (NSAA) at the United States Naval Academy is seeking volunteers, age 18 and up, for role playing in a series of nationwide Naval installation emergency exercises.
    Volunteers will report to NSAA in Annapolis and be assigned to play roles for the duration of the exercise. Volunteers will be needed from noon to 2:30 p.m. on March 19, 8:30–11 a.m. on March 20; and 8:30–11 a.m. on March 21.
    For more information and to sign up, contact NSAA, Lt. Robert Wiley, Security Officer at 443-924-0431 or 410-293-3473 or robert.b.wiley1@navy.mil.
  • Maryland Therapeutic Riding
    Located in Crownsville, Maryland Therapeutic Riding (MTR) is a Premier Accredited Therapeutic Riding Center that offers therapeutic horseback riding lessons for children and adults with special needs. Volunteers, ages 14 and up, assist with riding lessons and are needed throughout the week to assist with horse care, barn and facility maintenance.
    All volunteers are required to attend a training session prior to beginning their volunteer service.
    If you would like to attend an upcoming training session, please call Volunteer Coordinator Katie Spohn at 410-923-1187 or email volunteer@mtrinc.org.
    Visit www.horsesthatheal.org for volunteer training schedules and downloadable volunteer application. Volunteer Orientation Training Sessions: 2–5 p.m., March 3, May 12, and July 21.
    New volunteer orientations may be subject to change. Contact Katie Spohn to sign up.
    Gardening Plots: MTR has eight small garden spots on the horse farm that they’d like to have garden clubs or other groups adopt. Each garden can have a sign acknowledging their club.
    Volunteers are asked to design, plant, and care for the garden throughout the year. Contact Marilyn Baker at baker@mtrinc.org at 410-923-6800 for more information.
  • Providence Center
    The Providence Center is a nonprofit that provides employment, vocational training, recreational, retirement, medical day care, and transportation services to developmentally disabled adults.
    Volunteer with Providence Center and help make a difference in the lives of  those served by the center. Volunteers are a tremendous asset to our programs. You may have gardening skills to help in our greenhouses, an artistic flair to assist in our Art Institute, an entrepreneurial spirit that can help a participant start his own business, or just the desire to be a friend to someone, spending time over lunch, working on the computer or reading.
    Volunteers must be at least 16 and must go through a background check. We are happy to work with eligible students fulfilling community service requirements, but ask that they volunteer a minimum of 40 hours.
    For more information, please contact Erin Bishop at ebishop@providencecenter.com or at 410-766-2212, ext. 105.

Editor's Note/Feb. 29: AACO Schools Signature Program was removed from this announcement due to incorrect dates on the press release.

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