Residents of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County will join millions of Americans to volunteer on Make A Difference Day, Saturday, October 27, 2012. Sponsored by USA WEEKEND Magazine in partnership with the HandsOn Network and Newman’s Own, the annual Make a Difference Day is the nation’s largest day of community service.
The Volunteer Center For Anne Arundel County is recruiting and referring volunteers for many volunteer activities scheduled for October 13th through October 31st this year. These activities and projects are listed in our 2012 Make a Difference Day Volunteer Guide. If you cannot participate on Saturday, Oct. 27th, another listed project might fit your time availability.
A few of the activities taking place in our area this year include:
Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit organization which seeks to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through advancement of research, to enhance care and support for individuals, their families and caregivers, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
8:00 – Noon, Sat., Oct. 20, 2012, Walk to End Alzheimer’s: Friendly, outgoing volunteers, age 15 and up, are needed for a variety of positions before, during and after the walk which is being held at Severn School in Severna Park, MD. Help is needed to greet participants & guide parking, for set-up & take-down, to help with food, beverage, and T-shirt distribution, photograph the event, and more. Students/groups are welcome. For information and to sign up contact Volunteer Coordinator, Sally Drumm, at sally.drumm@alz.org or 410-561-9099.
City of Annapolis, Department of Recreation and Parks
The City’s Fall GreenScape project for 2012 falls on Sat., Oct. 27, 2012, The city provides volunteers with bulbs for fall planting of orange tulips and white daffodils with white and orange centers, for projects and parks throughout the city. For more information about volunteer opportunities and projects contact Marisa Wittlinger at mdwittlinger@annapolis.gov
Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region
8:00 am – Noon, Saturday, October 27 – The Arc will be hosting “Make a Difference Day” at our 931 Spa Road office from 8:00 a.m. till Noon. We will have 200 tulip and daffodil bulbs to plant plus we will be putting our gardens to rest for the winter. The Arc of the Central Chesapeake Region’s mission is to promote respect, create opportunities and advocate for equal rights for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. If you would like to volunteer please email Angie DeMoreland at (410) 268-8085 or (410) 269-1883, or e-mail: ademoreland@thearcccr.org
FLEX Project with Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails
Sat., Oct. 27, 2012, 09:00 am – 12:00 pm – Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails is looking for a small group of volunteers to work as part of a FLEX team and help get Jonas Green Park ready for Fall! Activities include weeding, pruning, mulching, and dead heading rose bushes. Wear closed toed shoes and bring gloves. For more information and to register please visit the Volunteer Center website at: http://www.volunteerannearundel.org/OpportunityCalendar.
Happy Helpers for the Homeless
This nonprofit organization provides food, toiletries, and clothing to the hungry and homeless. Volunteers, as young as 6, are needed Saturdays (11:30am-2:30pm) and Sundays (1:00-4:00pm) to assist in distributing items and bag lunches in downtown Baltimore and Glen Burnie.
7:30–10:30 am, Sat., Oct. 27, 2012: This is the 18th year that we are holding this event. We will take a group of those whom we serve out for a day of rarely-offered services. The day will get started with a leisurely breakfast at the Golden Corral Restaurant in Glen Burnie. From there, haircuts, job search assistance, toiletry gift bags, clothing, and lunch will be provided. Contact Bobbi Coffman at 443-433-2416 for more information about volunteering on all projects and events.
H.O.P.E., Inc. (For All)
H. O.P.E., Inc. is an all volunteer non-profit Christian ministry serving families in need in the north AA County, Baltimore City areas and also the Appalachian region by collecting and distributing donated school supplies, household goods and furniture, and clothing. .
10 am – 2 pm, Sat., Oct. 27, 2012: H.O.P.E. (For All) will hold its 3rd annual “Take a Bite Out of the Cold.” The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Glen Burnie Ice Rink located at the intersection of B & A Blvd. and Crain Hwy in the heart of Glen Burnie. We will be collecting winter coats, comforters, blankets, winter hats, gloves, and scarves. We ask that all items be clean. You can drive by and drop off or stop and visit. This event is sponsored by H.O.P.E. and The Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce. Call 410-859-1297 or 410-766-0372 or E-mail lzerhusen@verizon.net for further info.
Light House Shelter
This emergency shelter facility provides shelter for single men and women and families and runs a transitional housing program in Annapolis.
10 am – 6 pm Open Daily, Oct. 13-31, 2012, Pumpkin Patch: Stop by at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church on Spa Rd. in Annapolis to buy pumpkins to help the homeless citizens of Anne Arundel County at the Light House Homeless Shelter. Bring the kids for special fall fun with seasonal crafts and activities, baked goods and thousands of wonderful pumpkins! Please bring canned goods to stock the pantry at the Light House. Call 410-268-4251 for more information. See web site at www.annapolispumpkinpatch.org.
For more information about these projects and others, contact the Volunteer Center at 410-897-9207 or info@volunteerannearundel.org. A FREE 2012 Make a Difference Day Volunteer Guide with contact and other information about the 20+ organizations with Make a Difference Day projects can be downloaded for from our website: www.VolunteerAnneArundel.org/Resources