So What Else (SWE) ... can we do to help? was founded in 2009 with a focus on youth development, providing out-of-school time summer camps and after-school programs. The organization helps build strong, inclusive, and resilient communities through direct programming and in partnership with allied organizations. In response to the devastating effect of the pandemic on the communities that it serves, SWE added food security as a key program and along with community partners, dedicated staff, and long-term volunteer supporters, implemented emergency food relief programs in Montgomery County and surrounding counties and DC and Baltimore.

Need is greatest for volunteers who would like to make a long-term consistent commitment to serving. Volunteers who can help load/unload produce, sort through food donations, stock service sites, deliver food to remote locations and homebound clients, or help with setting up and taking down service sites are in need to keep up with the increase of food insecurity in the county. They seek teachers, mentors, classroom assistants, and volunteers that can help with logistics, sourcing supplies, and creating, developing, and/or implementing new curriculum content. There are also several events, including a gala and golf tournament. There are two categories of volunteers: workers that are on the ground and able to do physically demanding work and Skills-Based Volunteers (SBVs) that can help with administrative, clerical, and training/mentoring roles. The majority of SWE volunteers are onsite. Current volunteer opportunities at So What Else are on the MCVC website.

The Montgomery County Volunteer Center says a fond farewell to Amy Harbison, who is retiring this month after three years as Senior Fellow/Program Manager. Amy has been responsible for a wide range of duties, including producing the latest annual report, editing the volunteer newsletter and Hotlink, and creating and delivering onsite and virtual training on volunteer management. "Montgomery County has an extraordinary network of nonprofits and dedicated volunteers that serve them," Harbison says. "I've been proud to be a part of the work that connects and supports them,"

No need to travel to experience something exciting this summer. Create an adventure close to home by volunteering for a project new to 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.

SENECA VALLEY PONY CLUB HORSE TRIALS VOLUNTEERS: On September 3-4 at Bittersweet Field in Poolesville, Maryland. Volunteers are needed in all areas for those with horse experience and without horse experience. Hundreds of horses and riders will compete in the USEA-recognized events. Sign up for the event here under the Event days tab. Contact volunteer coordinator Leslie Case at lesliecase@aol.com for more information.

TRAIN OLDER ADULTS ON USING THEIR MOBILE DEVICES: Montgomery Community Media seeks student volunteers to help train older adults in using their mobile devices for media production. Tutorials for older adults will be held between August 17-26. To apply, send a brief letter about why you want to volunteer for this opportunity, including the software you are familiar with to ece@mymcmedia.org.

BE A ROCKVILLE WEED WARRIOR AT REDGATE PARK: Join Rockville Weed Warrior Leaders for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday. Space is limited and online registration is required. Read the position description for details.The group will meet in the parking lot at RedGate Park at 14500 Avery Road. For questions, please contact Weed Warrior Leader Chuck Wollery at 240-997-2209 or chuck@igc.org.  

FOOD PACKERS NEEDED: The Upcounty Hub is located at 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown. Volunteers must be 18 or older. Sign up for August shifts here.

BECOME FLYING SQUIRREL FEEDERS: Load feeders at Brookside Nature Center with sunflower seeds on evenings when programming is not taking place. This project is best done in pairs; please consider volunteering with a friend or family member. Volunteers under 14 may volunteer with a parent or guardian. Volunteers typically work one half-hour shift per week. Visit this link to learn more and sign up.

ANIMAL CARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: The Humane Society Animal Rescue Team has ongoing opportunities at their animal care and rehabilitation center in Washington County, Maryland -- about an hour and a half from DC. Volunteers must be 18 years and older. Read details here. Contact Kiersten Anderson to learn more about the requirements and process.

ASSIST WITH ARTSTREAM -- THEATRE FOR AN INCLUSIVE WORLD: Help is needed with mentoring in drama and social skills classes, onstage mentoring, backstage production assistants and virtual office help. Volunteers must be interested in the arts or working with individuals with disabilities. Training is provided, no experience necessary.

CROCHET/KNIT HATS: Kits to Hearts gives cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Help keep patients warm with thoughtfully made crochet and kit hats, especially important during trips to the hospital and to shield them from colder weather.

More details are found here.

BE A VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER READING PARTNER: Reading Partners needs volunteers to provide students in under-resourced elementary schools with the proven, individualized reading support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade. No teaching experience is required and anyone over the age of 18 can volunteer. Virtual training will be provided and reading takes place over Zoom. To sign up or learn more visit here.

Summertime is a great time for student volunteers to serve and earn SSL hours! SSL remains a state graduation requirement, as students are required to earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school. There are many SSL opportunities in the Montgomery County Volunteer Center database, and several are listed in the newsletter. Many agencies have also begun posting volunteer opportunities for the summer months. We encourage student volunteers to check them out!

MCPS will continue to allow nonprofit organizations to host virtual/remote SSL opportunities for students, -- in addition to traditional in-person experiences -- beyond this school year. The MCPS SSL guidelines for virtual/remote service will remain in place moving forward. Nonprofit-hosted virtual/remote SSL opportunities may be found here. 

Please reach out to the SSL office directly if you have any questions about the MCPS SSL guidelines for virtual/remote service.