Habitat Team Volunteers in Patterson Park

Audubon

Date/Time: Saturday, May 4, 8–9:30 a.m.

Location: Patterson Park Wetlands Garden. Meet at the wetland garden, uphill and northwest of the boat lake in Patterson Park. Please note, there is no driving in the park. Free street parking is available around the perimeter of the park.

Ages: All ages are welcome!

Time Commitment: One and a half hours.

Help build bird habitat in Audubon’s native plant gardens in Patterson Park! We need volunteers to ensure they remain healthy habitats for the park’s birds and butterflies and safe spaces for learning and exploring. Come to weed, mulch, and/or plant while spending the morning outdoors with friends, family, and Audubon. Water, gloves, and tools will be provided. We’re happy to sign community service hours for helpful students. Learn more here. 

Contact: Email baltimore@audubon.org. Registration is required to help us keep our group small. Each individual must register, including multiple people from the same family/group.

https://md.audubon.org/events/habitat-team-volunteers-patterson-park-1

Tree Planting Volunteers 

Gunpowder Valley Conservancy

Date/Time(s): 

• Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Please arrive 15 minutes early to sign in

Location(s): 

• Saturday, May 4, Tranquility Farms, 4101 Stansbury Mill Road, Monkton.
• Saturday, May 11, Private residence at 5 Three Sisters Court, Baldwin.
• Saturday, May 18, Loch Raven Skeet & Trap Center, 12301 Dulaney Valley Rd, Phoenix.

Ages: Youth 8 to 17 years old are allowed to attend our events as long as there is one parent/legal guardian per four children in attendance. 

Time Commitment: Three hours.

Plant native trees for cleaner air and improve Baltimore County’s water quality! More than 36,000 trees have been planted throughout the Gunpowder Watershed by enthusiastic volunteers over the past 34 years, and we need your help to plant even more! Do you like being outside in nature and don’t mind working hard? Join us, and make a difference for future generations. Remember to wear boots, pants, a long-sleeved shirt, hat, and gloves, and bring rain gear. Each volunteer will need to bring their own labeled water bottle. Water jugs for refilling water bottles and packaged snack bars will be provided. Tree planting events are held rain or shine.

Contact: Kim Thomas, kthomas@gunpowdervc.org. If you get lost on the day of the planting, contact Kim at 443.797.9341. Registration is available online:

Saturday, May 4

Saturday, May 11

Saturday, May 18

https://gunpowdervalleyconservancy.org/

PHG Cleanup and Invasive Removal: Resurrection School Plumtree Branch 

Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG)

Date/Time: Saturday, May 25, 9 a.m.–noon.

Location: Resurrection-St. Paul School, 3155 Paulskirk Drive, Ellicott City.

Ages: Our volunteer events are family-friendly, but we do recommend that children be 12 years old or older for this project because the nature of removing invasive species requires good hand-eye coordination. Volunteers younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to supervise.

Time Commitment: Three hours.

Join Patapsco Heritage Greenway to clean up the Plumtree Branch that runs between the Resurrection St. Paul School and Home Dept.

What to bring for our event:

• Layered long clothing: The weather is ever changing so be prepared for it to be sunny, cloudy, rainy, warm, cold, or a combination of any of these. Long pants and sleeves are your friends when it comes to outdoor environmental events.
• Closed-toe shoes: Wear comfortable, but protective shoes since there will be branches, thorns, and holes.
• Refillable water bottle: You will be working hard and we want everyone to stay hydrated. So make sure you have water with you and you can refill when you need it.

Contact: Registration is available online.

https:/www.patapsco.org

Wish List for Patient and Family Guest House

University of Maryland Medical System

Date/Time: Ongoing opportunity.

Location: Hackerman-Patz House at UM Rehab & Ortho, 2100 Kernan Drive, Baltimore.

Ages: Everyone can help collect needed items.

Time Commitment: Varies.

The Hackerman-Patz House provides low-cost lodging to patients and families who are going through medical treatments. Having a loved one in the hospital can be difficult for a family. This home away from home is designed specifically for families facing short-term or extended stays while their loved one receives rehabilitative or medical care. Patients respond better to treatment when their loved ones are near during the recovery process. The Hackerman-Patz House makes this possible for all families. Your family can help by collecting items for our patients and families. The following items will help enhance the service we provide to these families:

• Paper towels.
• Napkins.
• Foil, plastic wrap, or sandwich bags.
• Hot plate.
• Non-perishable food items such as granola bars, snacks, drinks, or individual cereals.
• K-cups, coffee, or tea.
• Dish soap.
• Hand soap.
• Cleaning supplies.
• Laundry detergent.
• Toiletries.
• Batteries.
• Leisure activities such as games, puzzles, or books.
• Bathroom storage.
• Luggage racks.
• Patio storage box.
• Patio umbrella.
• Any item from our wish list.

Volunteers are also needed to help with the following projects:

Cookie Committee – Volunteers are needed to make baked goods for hospital staff and/or for the guests in the Hackerman-Patz house.

Family Meal – Volunteers are needed to make a meal for guests in the Hackerman-Patz House. Families, individuals, or groups make a meal and drop it off at the house for the guests to eat for dinner after returning from the hospital. Having a home-cooked meal is such a welcome break from fast food or something quickly grabbed when they can.

Contact: Laurel Gaffney, laurel.gaffney@umm.edu. 

https://www.umms.org/sjmc/patients-visitors/for-visitors/hackerman-patz-house

UnBagged Lunch Program

Light House

Date/Time: Only volunteers who have registered through Sign-up Genius to drop off meals will be allowed on site. Please drop your lunches off at The Light House by 6 p.m. the day before you are scheduled. Items can be delivered between 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Location: 10 Hudson Street, Annapolis. Please park in our curbside drop-off area on Hudson Street. We ask that all donations of food or supplies be brought to the front desk. Please ring the doorbell, and staff will speak through the intercom and buzz the donor into the lobby.

Ages: Everyone can help.

Time Commitment: Varies.

The mission of The Light House is to rebuild lives with compassion by providing shelter and services to prevent homelessness and empower people as they transition toward employment, housing, and self-sufficiency. Your family can help residents and community clients of The Light House by preparing and delivering unbagged lunches. Please note that The Light House does not serve lunches in brown paper bags and asks that volunteers do not pack sides, water, and sandwiches together. Sandwiches should be assembled offsite and wrapped in individual sandwich bags. WHY UNBAGGED? We strive to provide every person with the dignity of choice, which means allowing individuals to choose food items for themselves or their families. Offering our community the ability to choose promotes empowerment and also limits food waste. PLEASE NOTE: All forms that require a signature must be submitted by email to the Volunteer Office for signature (volunteers@annapolislighthouse.org). Volunteer Office signature will be provided upon completion of volunteer service and completion of the Student Impact Reflection Form. Staff onsite at Light House will not sign service hour verification.

Sandwich Guidelines. Individual sandwiched bag-wrapped sandwiches should include a mix of at least two of the following sandwich types:

• Turkey and cheese, beef and cheese, ham and cheese, or bologna and cheese.
• Please use sliced lunch meat and any variety of deli-style sliced cheese.
• Please do not include any other ingredients such as condiments, lettuce, tomato, etc.
• Please do not use loaf ends.
• Condiment packets are welcome.
• No peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at this time.

Healthy Snack Items. Please select two. Snacks should be factory-wrapped and sealed.

• Carrot or celery sticks.
• Nuts, raisins, or trail mix.
• Pudding cups (non-refrigerated).
• Granola bar or graham crackers.
• Pretzels, and popcorn in healthy lunch-size snack bags.
• Peanut butter or cheese snack crackers.
• Fruit cup. Choose a fruit cocktail, mandarin oranges, pears, or applesauce that opens with twist tops. No sugar-free items, please!
• Fresh whole bananas or oranges. They do not need to be sealed or wrapped.

Please also provide individual water bottles still in the case.

Contact: volunteers@annapolislighthouse.org, 410.349.5056. You must sign up through our Sign-up Genius page to participate.

https://annapolislighthouse.org

Service Projects to Help Maryland Seniors 

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland

Date/Time: Please make an appointment for drop-off by emailing our Volunteer Services team at volunteer@mowcm.org.

Location: 515 South Haven Street, Baltimore.

Ages: Everyone can help.

Time Commitment: Varies.

Your family can help bring smiles to the faces of Maryland seniors by creating and donating any of the following service projects:

Bundles of Love: Fill a small bag with small candies, travel-size toiletries, puzzle games, soup or hot chocolate packets, or pencils and a greeting card. Please place items in a bag with handles or wrap them in cellophane to ensure nothing falls out during delivery.

Homemade Gifts: Fill individual Ziploc bags with magnets, potpourri, or knitted/crochet scarves and a friendly card or note.

Please do not include the following items: gift cards, anything with a religious theme, anything fragile or breakable, homemade food, or placemats.

Contact: volunteer@mowcm.org. You must make an appointment to drop off your items.

https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/

Meal Delivery 

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland

Date/Time: Volunteers deliver meals to clients Monday–Friday around 10:30 a.m.

Location: Various locations around Central Maryland.

Ages: Drivers must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and have their own vehicle. You are required to pass a background check before volunteering. Children are welcome and are highly encouraged to volunteer with their parents.

Time Commitment: Volunteers can deliver weekly, bi-weekly, or substitute as available. Volunteers are required to attend a virtual orientation and pass a background check.

Volunteers are needed to deliver meals to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities. While delivering, you are reducing social isolation and providing a friendly face many clients look forward to seeing. 

Contact: volunteer@mowcm.org. Click here to complete a volunteer application.

https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/

Grocery Assistance Program

Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland

Date/Time: Shopping typically occurs two to four times a month.

Location: Volunteers will be matched with clients by geographic location.

Ages: The primary volunteer must be 18 years old or older, but children are welcome and are highly encouraged to volunteer with their parents.

Time Commitment: Volunteers are asked to make a 9 to 12–month commitment, attend a virtual orientation, and pass a background check.

Your family can help a homebound client in your area keep their cupboard full. Volunteers are paired with a client who needs help grocery shopping. The volunteer gets the list from the client and shops for the items with a Meals on Wheels credit card or food stamps. Then, the volunteer delivers the groceries to the client.

Contact: volunteer@mowcm.org. Click here to complete a volunteer application.

https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/

Share Your Surplus Garden Harvest

AmpleHarvest.org

Date/Time: Ongoing.

Location: Your own garden or find a community garden near you.

Ages: All ages can participate, depending on the garden or farm.

Time Commitment: Varies.

Do you like to garden? One out of six children in America lives in a food insecure home meaning their parents don't know where their next meal will come from. No matter where you live, there are people in your community that are experiencing hunger. Food pantries can help fill in the gaps but are continuously lacking in healthy, fresh produce to offer. Luckily, you can help alleviate this issue in your own neighborhood! By planting just a little extra to donate, you can improve the health of your community as well. When you donate your surplus garden bounty, you are helping to relieve hunger and making an impact on obesity and other food-related diseases. Consider planting an extra row or even a few additional plants to donate to a local food pantry. And if you find yourself with a runaway zucchini plant or another bountiful crop that gives you more than you can eat, don't let it go to waste! Even a small donation will help increase food security in your area. 

Ampleharvest.org is pleased to partner with Bonnie Plants “Grow More Feed More” initiative and Home Depot's “Donate Your Harvest” initiative. Bonnie Plants will donate 5% of online sales to Ampleharvest.org. Click here for more information on Grow More Feed More and to order your plants online. Home Depot supports Ampleharvest.org with its Donate Your Harvest initiative. Click here for links to gardening helpful hints, plants and supplies, and locations on harvest drop-off locations in your area.

Contact: You can find one of more than 8,000 food pantries in all 50 states (and on Native American reservations too!) eager for your help by clicking here.

www.ampleharvest.org

Raise a Puppy and Be a Hero

Canine Companions

Date/Time: Ongoing opportunity.

Location: Nationwide. Remote volunteering is an option.

Ages: Please note: If you are under the age of 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian fill out the application and you can sign on as a co-applicant. 

Time Commitment: 14-18 months (flexible).

Canine Companions is a national nonprofit organization that provides expertly trained service dogs and a lifetime of follow-up services – completely free of charge – to children, adults, and veterans with disabilities so they can lead lives with greater independence. Canine Companions volunteer puppy raisers provide purpose-bred puppies a safe home, take them to puppy classes, serve up a healthy diet, provide socialization opportunities, and give lots of love. Each hour spent caring for a Canine Companions puppy is vital to their development as a future service dog. Our puppy-raising program provides a unique opportunity for families to volunteer to assist with our very important mission. As a volunteer puppy raiser, we ask that you meet the following requirements: 

• Provide a safe environment for a puppy who will be the only dog under 12 months old in your home. 
• Work closely with Canine Companions to monitor the puppy’s progress and submit monthly reports. 
• Attend an average of two Canine Companions-approved classes per month. 
• Teach the puppy manners and basic skills. 
• Responsible for the puppy’s food, veterinary expenses, and puppy classes. 
• Transport the dog to the regional training center at the projected turn-in time. 
• Feed the puppy a diet recommended by Canine Companions. 
• Utilize a kennel or crate for sleeping indoors. 
• Provide the puppy with age-appropriate socialization opportunities, such as public outings and veterinary appointments. 
• Keep the puppy on a leash at all times, unless supervised in a securely fenced area. 
• Supervise the puppy throughout the day. 

Contact: nerpuppy@canine.org. Email us or sign up by visiting Canine.org and filling out a puppy-raising application request.

Canine.org