News and Announcements
Summer of Service
Looking for information on Summer of Service 2010? Simple instructions and a list of opportunities can be found right here.
Howard County Seeks Nominations for Volunteer of the Year
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman and members of the County Council have announced that nomination forms are now available for the 2010 “Volunteer of the Year” Awards program. Sponsored by Howard County Government and the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County, this program recognizes individuals (youth and adults), groups or businesses that have demonstrated commitment and dedication to our community. The deadline for nominations is Friday, August 27.
“I encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ by nominating someone they know that makes a difference in our community,” said County Executive Ulman. “They might be a coach or scout leader, volunteer at a homeless shelter or nursing home; through their efforts, they are making Howard County a better place to live.”
To qualify, nominees must be either residents of Howard County or do their volunteer work in Howard County. In addition, their volunteer efforts should have a significant impact on an individual or the community; for individual nominations, the nominated service must be performed outside the scope of the nominee’s paid employment.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our community and through their efforts our quality of life remains strong. This nomination process allows us to recognize those dedicated individuals and groups,” said County Council Chairperson Courtney Watson.
This year’s nomination forms may be filled out and submitted online by visiting the County’s homepage at www.howardcountymd.gov and clicking on the Volunteer of the Year nomination form link under “What’s New.” Computers must be equipped with Adobe Acrobat Reader 9 in order to submit the nomination form online. Completed nomination forms may also be printed out and mailed to: Howard County Government, Office of Public Information, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043, or faxed to 410-313-3299.
All nominations will be recognized at a ceremony and reception hosted by County Executive Ken Ulman and the County Council on Tuesday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive in Ellicott City. The event is free and open to the public.
(Information taken directly from county press release.)
Volunteer Opportunities for Teens – Summer 2010 update
Access the Summer 2010 update of our most popular publication and learn about local non-profit agencies offering exciting opportunities for youth volunteers! Click here to view the guide in pdf format, or scroll through the pages below to discover descriptions of great summer volunteer opportunities for local Howard County youth including contact information, links to agency websites, minimum age requirements and project overviews. Enjoy!
Are you volunteering in Howard County?
Here’s a short video we wanted to share featuring photos from past Volunteer Center events. Enjoy!
Do you have a video or picture of you or your family, friends or social group volunteering together that you’d like to share? Please feel free to post them on our Facebook fan page.
Blizzard 2010
Our updated volunteer blog post shares information and resources for tracking and responding to the recent and impending snowstorms.
Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards
Nominate an outstanding volunteer for the Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards! There are a variety of categories, including youth, adult, senior, group, business, faith-based, national service and lifetime achievement. Even better, winners are honored during National Volunteer Week, April 18 – 24, 2010.
Deadline is March 1st, 2010. More information at http://gosv.state.md.us/.
How Can Volunteer Maryland Strengthen Your Nonprofit?
In our latest volunteer blog post, Katelyn Ryan explains how Volunteer Maryland can help your nonprofit or governmental agency thrive and how you can learn more about becoming a Volunteer Maryland partner. Information session are being held in January and February, so don’t miss out!
Volunteer Opportunities to Mentor, Tutor and Educate
This annual publication, updated and released each January (in celebration of National Mentoring Month), spotlights volunteer opportunities for people who want to serve as mentors, tutors or educators for nonprofit agencies in and around Howard County, MD. Visit our Publications page to view the 2010 version.
Helping Haiti
Information is available via our Volunteer Blog about effective ways to give in times of disaster. The post includes links to agencies responding to the magnitude 7 earthquake that hit Haiti on January 12th as well as guidelines to make the most of your donation.
Season of Giving 2009
A chill is in the air and the seasons are changing, which can only mean that the holidays are fast approaching! We at the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County invite you to join in and celebrate the Season of Giving with three heartwarming projects!
The Angel Tree, sponsored through the Salvation Army, will be set up in Columbia Association Headquarters. Angels hanging on the tree provide gift ideas and information about a local child or adult. Take an angel, stop by the Volunteer Center to sign-up and receive additional information about your recipient, and do what you can to fulfill their gift wishes. Bring the unwrapped gift/gifts to the Volunteer Center and we will deliver them to the Salvation Army. Please note, angel Tree gifts must be returned no later than Tuesday, December 15th (no exceptions).
A Basket of Hope, placed in the Volunteer Center, will collect gift cards to WalMart, Target, Giant, Safeway, Michael’s Crafts, Joanne Fabrics, Sears and other retailers to benefit local agencies requesting such in our latest Holiday Guide.
We have a few organizations in our guide that request new items for animals, such as rawhides, dog and cat treats, washable dog and cat toys, blankets and towels, and gift cards to PetSmart and PetCo. Come and see our decorated Doghouse of Joy in which you can donate any of the items requested.
Please open your hearts and support the Season of Giving by donating to one or more of these worthwhile projects this holiday season. You can learn more about donation and volunteer needs at local agencies through our Holiday Guide to Giving, available on our website, www.volunteerhoward.org. Contact us with any questions – we can be reached at 410.715.3176 or info@volunteerhoward.org.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyous season,
The Staff of The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County
Holiday Guide to Giving 2009
The Holiday Guide to Giving is an annual publication featuring the holiday donation and volunteer needs of local nonprofit and governmental agencies. Available in late-October, this guide can help individuals, groups, and businesses make more informed decisions about collecting donations or volunteering during November and December. Click here for the pdf version of the current guide or view it below:
Community Quarterback Award
Know a Ravens fan who would like to be honored for their volunteer efforts? Click to nominate a volunteer for on-field recognition by the Ravens at the November 22nd home game. The non-profits associated with selected volunteers wil l also receive grants. The nomination deadline is Friday, October 23, 2009.
Volunteer Opportunities for Teens – September 2009 update
Access the September 2009 update of our most popular publication and learn about local non-profit agencies with opportunities for young volunteers! Click here for the guide in pdf format, or here to view it in Issuu. The guide also contains an overview of getting started as a youth volunteer, various ways to discover alternate projects and develop your own opportunities, frequently asked questions, and a phone/contact script.
Camp Make a Difference 2009
We’d like to thank our amazing campers and local agencies for making 2009′s Camp Make a Difference one of the most successful years yet! Campers opened the week by learning about volunteering, then went to four different agencies addressing social issues including poverty, animal welfare, the environment, and aging.
The week also included presentations by MaryMargaret O’Neill and Evan Frank of Kids Are Heroes. These inspiring young people shared stories about their volunteer experiences in order to spread the message that you’re never too young to make a difference.
But don’t take it from us – listen to what campers said in their own words in this excellent video from HoCoMoJo:
Participating agencies included: Grassroots, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Howard County Conservancy, and the Howard County Office on Aging.
