Rockville Farmers Market Hosts Annual Salute to Nonprofits

From the City of Rockville:

Are you a community-minded Rockville resident looking for a place to lend a helping hand? Then the city and county needs you!

Local agencies and organizations serving a variety of areas will be at the Rockville Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 23 to help would-be volunteers find a place to help, whether they're students needing to earn service learning hours or just kindhearted adults. The 11th annual Salute to Nonprofits event can be found in the jury parking lot at Route 28 and Monroe St.

In past years, the Salute to Nonprofits has featured a wide scope of agencies that work with children and families, the elderly, food banks, libraries, community clinics, animal shelters, local music, arts and science and robotics. This year's organizations taking part include The Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, Community Ministries of Rockville, Helping Hands Center, Jewish Council for the Aging (informational materials only), Korean Community Service Center, Mobile Medical Care, Inc., National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montgomery County (NAMI MC), Rainbow Place Shelter, Rockville HELP, Rockville Little Theatre, Stepping Stones Shelter and Upcounty Community Resources.

In addition to learning about community organizations, visitors to the Salute to Nonprofits can explore opportunities to volunteer for the City of Rockville. Within the Recreation and Parks Department, volunteers are needed to tutor elementary-aged children, mentor younger students, help at the annual Holiday Drive (collecting, sorting and distributing food at Thanksgiving and gifts in December), assist staff running after-school programs at community centers, help in recreation classes, work at the nature center and senior center and assist with youth sports programs.

Looking for a way to help the earth while volunteering? Check out opportunities in the Department of Public Works' Environmental Management Division, which coordinates stream clean-ups, invasive plant removals and other activities.

The Salute to Nonprofits is presented by the City of Rockville, the Rockville Human Services Advisory Commission and the Rockville Caregivers Coalition.

Further information on volunteering as well as what services are available in Rockville is available online.

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