VOLUNTEER NEWS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Montgomery Serves Awards
County Recognizes Top Volunteers
Montgomery Serves Awards honorees
Congratulations to the volunteers and community leaders who were recognized for their outstanding service to our county at the 2019 Montgomery Serves Awards ceremony, held last week. The Montgomery County Volunteer Center and County Executive Marc Elrich presented the county's highest honors for service and volunteerism to Karen Bashir and Jacquette Frazier (Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award for lifetime volunteer service), Amy Yontef-McGrath (Volunteer of the Year), Dhruv Pai (Youth Volunteer of the Year), KindWorks (Volunteer Group of the Year), Hugo Salon (Business Volunteer of the Year), and Charlotte Coffield, Ike Leggett, and David Rodich (Roscoe R. Nix Distinguished Community Leadership Awards). Visit our website to learn more about the honorees and find photos and videos from the event (coming soon!).
SPOTLIGHT ORGANIZATION
Mid-County United Ministries
Providing a Safety Net for Those in Need
MUM logo
Imagine if you couldn't work because of illness or if you struggled to feed your children due to an unexpected expense. Where could you turn?

For individuals and families in central Montgomery County, the answer is MUM. Formally known as Mid-County United Ministries, this growing nonprofit organization based in Wheaton helps those living in five zip codes (20902, 20906, 20853, 20895, and 20896) with food and/or financial aid to cover prescription medications or to prevent eviction or utility disconnection if they encounter circumstances that throw them off course financially.

Much of this critical assistance is made possible by volunteers, who are particularly vital to MUM's work providing food for those in need. Each month, MUM distributes over 6,000 pounds of food to more than 300 households, an effort that requires many volunteer hands year-round. Food pantry assistants help clients select groceries and keep the shelves organized at MUM's food pantry located at the Westfield Wheaton South Building, which is open several days a week. Mobile food distributors handle similar tasks for the MUM mobile food pantry that visits three neighborhoods on Sunday afternoons. Both types of food distribution volunteers can be as young as 14. Spanish speakers are particularly welcome.

In a related effort, once a year--and coming up this weekend--MUM volunteers help the organization receive, organize, and store thousands of pounds of food collected by local post offices as part of the national Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

Also coming up soon, MUM needs adult volunteers to sell tickets and pour beverages at the Beer Garden/wine tasting area at the Taste of Wheaton on Sunday, June 2. In exchange for staffing this popular activity, MUM receives the funds collected, and turns those around to provide assistance to those in need.

To learn more about any of these volunteer opportunities or MUM's work, email Larry White or visit mumhelp.org.
FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Opportunities, Inside and Out
Whether you enjoy this spring weather or need to avoid the heavy pollen season, we have volunteer opportunities for you! Here are just a few of the hundreds of volunteer positions listed on the Volunteer Center website. Check our online volunteer calendar for more date-specific opportunities or use the search box at the top of this email or the top of our home page to search for more ways to serve.
Opportunities marked with the graduation cap icon meet the MCPS guidelines for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours--but  they're not just for students ! Other opportunities may be eligible for SSL hours; visit the MCPS SSL website to learn more.
HIGHLIGHTS IN MAY & JUNE
STEM SUMMIT VOLUNTEERS: Friday, May 10, 5-7 pm, Gaithersburg. Help set up exhibits and activities for a middle school STEM event sponsored by Kid Museum. Minimum age: 12. Sign up online, email Maureen Lexner, or call 301-897-5437.
COSTUME CREATORS: Thursday, May 16, 5-7 pm, DC. Decorate and make hats, tutus, and other costume accessories for Only Make Believe's interactive theater performances held at local children's hospitals and care facilities. No sewing skills required. Minimum age: 16, or as young as 10 if accompanied by an adult. Volunteers are welcome to bring used CDs, ribbons, and fabric remnants to craft with. Email Chris Wilson or call 202-299-0855.
THRIFT SHOP ORGANIZERS: Friday, May 17, 1:30-4 pm, Rockville. Join So What Else to sort through and organize clothing, books, and home goods for the Interfaith Works free community thrift shop. Minimum age: 16. Email Talia Ramey or call 240-386-9890.
FESTIVAL ASSISTANTS: Saturday, May 18, shifts available 2-9 pm, Takoma Park. Help the City of Takoma Park with its annual Celebrate Takoma Festival, which commemorates the city's diverse people and cultures. Volunteers will assist with various tasks, including festival setup/breakdown, arts and crafts activities, and information booths. Minimum age: 16. Email Alexis Blackwell or call 301-891-7100.
SPORTS EVENT VOLUNTEERS: Sunday, June 2, shifts available 10 am-3 pm, Potomac. Team up with an estimated 500 children and young adults with disabilities, their volunteer coaches and family members, and other event assistants to play kickball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, and more at this annual Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN) Greater DC event. No experience necessary; orientation provided at 10 am. Sign up online, email Beth Wenger, or call 301-770-3200.
BIKE CAMP "SPOTTERS": Monday, June 24-Friday, June 28, 90-minute shifts available beginning at 8:30 am, 10:05 am, 11:40 am, 2 pm, and 3:35 pm, Takoma Park. Help a disabled individual learn to ride a conventional bicycle through the iCan Bike Camp coordinated by the City of Takoma Park. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old (or younger if accompanied by a parent) and commit to serving during the same time period all five days of camp. Sign up online, email Lucy Neher, or call 301-891-7100.
ONGOING & FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
YOUTH MENTORS: Serve as a positive role model for a child living in foster care or other out-of-home care in Montgomery County. YMCA Youth & Family Services mentors generally spend about four to eight hours per month building a relationship with one boy or girl, offering him or her friendship, encouragement, and learning opportunities. Training and continuing education provided. Minimum age: 21. Email Ottoniel Perez or call 301-576-9074.
SUMMER CONCERT VOLUNTEERS: Help the Montgomery Village Foundation present "Summers at South Valley Park," a series of live music performances in Montgomery Village set for eight Saturdays between May and September. Volunteers will assist with activities such as setup, crowd management, and performer assistance. Email Kendall Thomas or call 301-948-0110.
MEDIA PRODUCTION VOLUNTEERS: Create, record, and edit professional media projects for Montgomery Community Media. Required training provided. Minimum age: 12. Email Marsha Kerman or call 301-424-1730.
SWIM PROGRAM ASSISTANTS: Encourage and support adults with disabilities and help them access and enjoy the year-round swimming program at indoor pools in Germantown, Olney, and Silver Spring. Swimming ability is not as important as personal skills. Sponsored by Montgomery County Therapeutic Recreation. Minimum age: 16. Email Marco D'Ottavi or call 240-777-6890.
Summertime Is Volunteer-Time
What are your plans for the long days in the warm months ahead? If they include volunteering (and we hope they do!), be sure to check out the Volunteer Center website to find a wide variety of opportunities available to serve throughout the community this summer. Search for the keyword "summer" to find dozens of volunteer positions at camps, schools, parks, recreation centers, and more. To narrow the list, filter for opportunities by interest area, distance from a particular zip code, SSL status, and outdoor locations, among other search filters. You can also find single-day service opportunities by viewing the volunteer calendar for June, July, and August.
NEWS & RESOURCES
Nominations Open for State Volunteer Awards
The Maryland Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism is now accepting nominations for this year's Governor's Service Awards and Youth Service Awards. These awards programs recognize individuals and groups for their volunteer efforts and work to change Maryland for the better. Award categories include board member, nonprofit volunteer program, lifetime achievement, and emerging leader.

Submit nominations online by Friday, June 7. Questions? Email Lola Abdulai.
24-Hour Giving Campaign Benefits Local Nonprofits
Do More 24--the DC area's annual 24-hour online fundraising campaign that unites nonprofits and people to meet pressing needs across our community--is coming up Wednesday and Thursday, May 22-23. To be part of this day of giving organized by the United Way of the National Capital Area, visit the event website to find and learn more about participating organizations sorted by their missions, location, name, or keyword. Then, return between 12 noon on May 22 and 12 noon on May 23 to donate to those you'd like to support.
Watch the Ways to Make a Difference
Make a Difference, a monthly County Cable Montgomery program, highlights the contributions of stellar county volunteers and organizations that work to better our community. This month's program focuses on Stepping Stones Shelter in Rockville, which provides food, clothing, shelter, support services, and educational programming for families with children experiencing homelessness.
Subscribe to Our Partner Newsletters
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center is part of the Office of Community Partnerships, which works to strengthen the relationship between the Montgomery County government and the residents it serves, with special emphasis on underserved and emerging communities. Subscribe to the monthly OCP newsletter to keep up with these activities. 

Follow these links to subscribe to our other partner agencies' electronic publications:
Montgomery County Volunteer Center
240-777-2600
Copyright © 2019. All Rights Reserved.