Volunteer Opportunities in Odenton and Nearby

Many Volunteer positions are available through the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center. If you do not see an opportunity below that fits your needs, contact the Volunteer Center at ask.aacvc@outlook.com or 410-897-9207. Check our Website:www.aacvc.org. A few current volunteer opportunities are listed below.

Annapolis Film Festival, March 26-29, 2015 — A large number of volunteers are needed in a variety of positions to help with The Annapolis Film Festival which is returning to Annapolis Thursday evening, March 26 to Sunday, March 29, 2015. All of the excitement of Hollywood on the Chesapeake comes back for a third year with more than 70 narrative and documentary films, Q&A sessions with the filmmakers and other visiting industry guests, special panels and showcases, and great parties. Opening Night at St. John’s Key Auditorium kicks off the Festival. With Loews Annapolis Hotel as Festival Central and O’Callaghan’s Hotel as the main venue for Panels and Workshops, the Festival screening venues include Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, St. John’s College – Key Auditorium, Asbury United Methodist Church on West Street, St. Anne’s Parish Hall and Annapolis Elementary School. Volunteer information is provided and registration is accomplished on the website at annapolisfilmfestival.com. Any volunteer who works 6-hrs.will receive a special pass which allows them into any screening via the “stand-by” line. Volunteers who work 12-hrs. or more for the film festival will receive a special pass, as well as one ticket to any 2-hr. block of programming, guaranteeing you a spot in the most popular shows that often sell-out (excluding the Opening Night screening). Contact volunteer@annapolisfilmfestival.net for further information.

Anne Arundel County Archeology Laboratory — The County’s Archaeology Lab facility, located at Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater, Maryland accepts volunteers and interns to help process artifacts, including washing, labeling, analyzing, conserving, and cataloging artifacts. The laboratory will offer special extended hours for the rest of the winter and will be open to volunteers each Wednesday until 8pm. Join us to dig into the County’s history. No experience needed. RSVPs are required to pzgoll33@aacounty.org by the Tuesday before due to limited space. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Anne Arundel County Literacy Council — You can change a life through literacy. Volunteer tutors are needed for combating adult and out-of-school youth illiteracy; after completing training, you make your own schedule and locations with your assigned student or you can tutor at local detention centers. For information contact the office at 410-269-4419 or programdirector@aaclc.org. Hours are flexible and most work can be done at home. See website: www.icanread.org.

• 9:00 AM– 4:00 PM, Sat., Feb. 28 AND Sat., March 7, 2015, Tutor Training: The tutor training sessions will be held at Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church in Severna Park and will include both Basic Literacy and ESL instruction. We have a class size limit of 35. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in attending this training, email director@aaclc.org, or call 301-523-6750 as soon as possible to reserve a seat.

The Arc Central Chesapeake Region — The Arc advocates for and supports County citizens with developmental disabilities. Volunteers are needed to serve on the board of directors, help with fund raising, assist in the office, and to help with special events. Volunteers, 16 years and older, are also needed as gardening assistants at the Arc’s sensory garden in Annapolis, including plant care, patio maintenance, planting trees/shrubs, etc. and to help with leaf and yard maintenance at 30 homes the Arc manages throughout the County. The Arc is also accepting for recycle, old, unused cell phones at its Annapolis and Arnold offices. Also, do you know any talented artists? Entries for the 2015 Artists Without Limits Exhibit are being accepted until February 20th. Artwork is accepted from individuals with disabilities in Anne Arundel County; each individual can enter up to three pieces. Contact Angie DeMorland at (410) 268-8085 or (410) 269-1883, or e-mail: ADemoreland@thearcccr.org. Website: www.thearcccr.org. Special event for which additional volunteers may be needed:

• 6:00-8:30 p.m., Tues., Mar. 24, 2015, 2015 Annual Awards Ceremony & Banquet: For the past 17 years, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region has proudly honored those in the disability community who have made a difference and personified our Core Values at our Annual Awards Ceremony and Banquet at the Doubletree Annapolis Hotel. We need your help to make this year’s ceremony the best yet! Have you noticed someone in the community who has made a difference in the lives of those with developmental disabilities? What about a staff member of The Arc? Please review the 2015 award categories and nominate someone now. Nominations are due by Wed., March 4, 2015. For more information contact Angie DeMorland at (410) 268-8085 or (410) 269-1883, or e-mail: ADemoreland@thearcccr.org.

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland — Individuals and groups can assist the homebound. Volunteer as little as an hour a month to make a world of difference. Drivers are needed to deliver mealsMonday through Friday between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm., especially in southern AA County. Volunteers are also needed to accompany drivers, schedule routes or make birthday or other greeting cards to be delivered with the meals. Many additional new volunteer opportunities are now available to help clients such as those related to home assessments, pet food donations, providing companionship, grocery shopping assistance, and phone pal contacts. In addition, kitchen site managers are needed at Annapolis, Arnold, Glen Burnie locations. Training, including weekly orientations for new volunteers, is provided and schedules are flexible. Contact Terry Lehr at 410-431-5257 or Lehr@mowcm.org. Also, see www.mealsonwheelsmd.org for more information.

METAvivor Research & Support, Inc. — This nonprofit organization, run largely by patients with metastatic/Stage IV breast cancer, supports others and builds awareness about this disease, and raises money to fund research grants specifically for metastatic breast cancer. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available to support the organization and its mission. Assistance is needed with fundraising, website design and maintenance, and advertising in the media. Volunteer board members, advisors, an auditor are also needed. For more information and to volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator at 410-491-5760 or info@metavivor.org. See Website at:www.metavivor.org. Special fundraising event for which extra volunteers are needed:

• Sun., April 12, 2015, Kick-Off Party for Sea to Sea for MBC: METAvivor is hitting the road to meet with the sponsors, supporters, volunteers and researchers we have funded to date. We will begin with a kickoff event on April 12, 2015 in Annapolis, MD. Over the following weeks we will take our caravan across the country with a grand finale event on May 26 in Duarte, CA. For more information see the website at: www.metavivor.org. Contactc2cvolunteer@metavivor.org if you want to get involved in our cross-country campaign.
• 8:00 a.m., Sat., May 16, 2015 METAvivor Adventure Race: This event, consisting of kayaking around a 2-mile course, a 15 mi. bike segment, and a 3 mile run, will take place at the Hillsmere Community Beach, 534 Hillsmere Drive Annapolis, MD 21403. Volunteers are needed for a variety of duties to help with the event. For more information about the event go to www.active.com and search: metavivor. For information about volunteering, contact lynnron1@comcast.net.

-- Opportunities and descriptions courtesy of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center. Photo via Meels on Wheels of Central Maryland website.