Volunteer Opportunities in Odenton and Anne Arundel County

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 [email protected] or 410-897-9207. Check their Website: www.aacvc.org. A few current volunteer opportunities are listed below.

Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center (AACVC)

Volunteers are needed to help AACVC staff its booth at the June 7th FirstSunday Arts Festival. The Volunteer Center’s booth will be in the Whitmore Park exhibit area on Calvert St. The streets and parks on West and Calvert Streets in the downtown historic area will be filled with over 100 unique artists and crafters, live bands, dance, street performers, and outdoor cafes for the 13th Annual First Sunday Arts Festival. Two volunteers are needed for each two-hour shift between the hours of 10:30 AM–5:00 PM. Help with set-up between 10:30 and 11:00, greet visitors and assist with a family-friendly card project for members of the Military, help with break-down between 4:30 – 5pm. Contact Fay Mauro at 410-897-9207 or [email protected] or see website (www.aacvc.org/OpportunityCalendar) for more information and to volunteer. Park in the Whitmore Garage, enter off of Clay Street. See map athttp://www.firstsundayarts.com/festival_map.

AA County Office of Emergency Management CERT Training, July 10-12, 2015

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community. The public is invited to attend the upcoming CERT training:

· 7-9 pm, Fri., July 10, 8 am–5 pm, Sat., July 11, and 8 am–5 pm,Sun., July 12, 2015, Basic CERT Training: Anne Arundel County and City of Annapolis Citizen Corps Council and CERT announce the second BASIC CERT class of 2015. The class will be on July 10-12, 2015, at the AA County Fire Dept. Training Academy in Millersville, MD. The CERT training class focuses on personal safety and preparedness over a weekend of intense instruction and practice culminating in participation in a mock disaster drill which will test your new-found learning over such topics as Incident Command, Disaster Preparedness, Fire Safety, First Aid, Light Search and Rescue, Disaster Psychology, and Terrorism. Participants must attend the full, 20-hour course given over all three days–July 10-12. There is a cost of $35 per person for supplies. For registration and questions, contact Bruce Becker at[email protected].

Arundel High School Mock Interviews, Jun. 3-4, 2015

It is time once again for the Mock Interviews at Arundel High School on June 3(7:15-8:40 AM and 12:45-2:00 PM) and June 4, 2015 (7:15-8:40 AM and 8:45-10:05 PM). This round of interviews is for 11th grade AP English students. If you would like to sign up for a slot(s) to interview students, please sign up at the following link: www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4DACA62EA6FE3-arundel. For more information contact Sandy Vogel at 410-674-3938 or email:[email protected].

2015 Annapolis Irish Festival July 10-11, 2015

The 5th Annual Annapolis Irish Festival will be held Fri. & Sat., July 10-11, 2015 at The Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. This event has quickly established itself as a signature event for the Mid-Atlantic region and this year, you can expect to see superstars of the Irish rock scene--Gaelic Storm and Carbon Leaf along with an incredible lineup of other artists! Kids are welcome and free under 12. A little leprechaun land is sure to delight with moon bounces, balloons, crafts, entertainment and PONIES. For the grown-ups, there will be a ton of bands, 3 stages, a giant tented viewing area, and plenty of local vendors offering food and merchandise! Your VIP ticket will include unlimited beer, special seating and viewing areas at the stages, limited lines, special entrance, and air conditioned private bathrooms. Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of tasks associated with the management of this event. Visit the website at:www.annapolisirishfestival.com for more information and to sign up.

National Aquarium Chesapeake Bay Initiative Habitat Restoration Projects

The ten-acre tidal wetland bordering Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine now serves as a refuge for many species of wildlife including sea ducks, heron, muskrats, and red-winged blackbirds. Join the Conservation Department at the National Aquarium in Baltimore at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine to help clean up the bay. The National Aquarium in Baltimore is looking for community volunteers, ages 14 and older, to participate, rain or shine. Activities include debris cleanup, planting native marsh grasses, trail maintenance and more. Register online at www.aqua.orgor contact the Conservation Department at 410-576-1014 or[email protected]. Upcoming projects (Volunteers must be at least 10 years old. All volunteers under 18 years old will need to be supervised by an adult. Pre-registration is required for all conservation events):

· 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Sat., Jun. 27, 2015, BioBlitz at Masonville Cove: A BioBlitz is an all-day event where scientists, naturalists, students, teachers, families, and other volunteers work together to find, identify, and record as many living organisms as they can find. Join us at our second annual BioBlitz to explore biodiversity in our local environment and learn about actions we can take to protect wildlife through hands-on activities.

Patuxent Research Refuge and National Wildlife Visitors Center

There are opportunities for volunteers to become more personally involved in accomplishing the mission of Patuxent Research Refuge by assisting with public educational programs, helping with wildlife surveys and a variety of other tasks. To take part in most of these activities, the volunteer must complete required training, sign a volunteer agreement to be kept on file, and commit to volunteering at the refuge a minimum of 8 hours per month for six months. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age for most positions, although younger volunteers can be considered if they are volunteering with their parent/guardian. Check the website http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/for more information about volunteer opportunities and for a volunteer application form. You may also contact Diana Ogilvie, volunteer coordinator, at301-497-5565 ([email protected]) for more information. Special Events for which extra volunteers are needed.

World Trade Center Institute (WTCI)

The Institute is looking for volunteers who would be willing to share their home with an international visitor this summer. To host a visitor all you need is an extra room and to treat the visitor like a member of your own family - by providing them with not only a house, but a home. Hosts vary and can include young or retired couples, families of all types, and hosts who live alone. The visitors will be out during the day but most nights will return home to join you for dinner. All visitors are vetted by the US Department of State, and WTCI arranges for transportation for participants to attend professional meetings throughout the day.

We have two groups this summer for which we will need homestay hosts: 1.July 12 – 24, 2015: We will be hosting a group from Belarus on improving financial literacy, and 2. August 12 - September 2, 2015: We will be hosting a group of Mexican youth to learn about youth empowerment. Contact Janine Branch at [email protected] or (410) 576-0022 x 108.