The Good News Magazine

Volunteer Opportunities

If your organization would like to be included in the Volunteer Opportunities column, send a 50-word description of the position(s) with a contact name, phone number and/or email address to by March 5 for the April 2012 issue.

Talbot County

Character Counts Mid-Shore
Want to make a positive difference in the lives of our youth in Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties? Believe that children need to learn about the Six Pillars of Character - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship? Have 15 to 30 minutes a week to spare? If so, Character Counts Mid-Shore needs you! Call 410-819-0386 for more information.

Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra
The MSO performs four times a year at the Church of God in Easton on a Thursday evening. Volunteers are needed for MSO Ambassadors to post concert announcements, assist with fundraising events, sell and collect tickets, distribute programs, greet/seat patrons. For more information, contact Anne Marie Rogerson at 301-325-5795 or at rogersoa@verizon.net.

Memorial Hospital Auxiliary
The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary offers various opportunities for volunteers. Volunteers staff The Bazaar at 121 Federal Street resale shop and Maggie’s gift shop at Memorial Hospital. Retired nurses are needed for free blood pressure screening offered weekly at the Diagnostic and Imaging Center in Easton. Auxiliary members support patient care activities at Memorial Hospital and outpatient centers and oversee fundraising activities. For more information, call 410-822-1000, ext. 5839.

Avalon Foundation
Join in on the fun at the Avalon Foundation! There is currently a need for ushers in the Theatre, volunteers for the Banner Auction, Plein Air-Easton!, the 4th of July Celebration, and in MCTV- Ch-15, Easton’s public access TV station. For more information, contact Suzy Moore at 410-822-0345.

Phillips Wharf Environmental Center
Phillips Wharf Environmental Center seeks volunteers to fulfill the roles of docents, exhibit experts, aquarists and drivers. Located in the last crab shanty on Tilghman, PWEC is located at 21604 Chicken Point Road. Volunteers assist both in daily operation of the center and that of its Fishmobile, a mobile educational aquarium for children and adults. Volunteers should have an appreciation for plant and animal life native to the Bay and be willing to get their hands wet. Those interested may contact Volunteer Maryland Coordinator Kathy Stevens at 410-886-9200 or email phillipswharfec@gmail.com.

Habitat Choptank ReStore
The Habitat Choptank ReStore, a discount home improvement store that benefits Habitat for Humanity, is seeking volunteers in the following areas: Warehouse, Cashier, Customer Service, Office/Administration, Donation Processing, Merchandising, and Truck Driver. Four-hour shifts are available Tuesday through Saturday. Contact 410-820-6186 to schedule an orientation. Good customer skills a must!

Historical Society of Talbot County
HSTC seeks new volunteers to help preserve, communicate, and celebrate the rich heritage of Talbot County by educating its residents and visitors. Volunteer jobs range from short to long term projects in the following areas: retail, office support, research/archives, special event planning, buildings and grounds, and docent/tour guides. HSTC also sponsors a vintage Base Ball team called the Fair Plays that welcomes new players. There is a monthly new volunteer orientation at 10 a.m. on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 25 South Washington Street, Easton. To learn more visit hstc.org or call 410-822-0773.

University of Maryland Extension, Talbot County 4-H
The University of Maryland Extension, Talbot County 4-H is seeking volunteers who are passionate about seeing youth in this area develop to their fullest potential. Through individual projects, 4-H gives kids the chance to explore new interests, strengthen basic life skills, and become adept at decision making, problem solving and public speaking. Club activities foster friendships, a sense of belonging and community involvement. One may enjoy teaching in an area of personal expertise or prefer behind the scenes support such as helping to prepare for activities and events, or assisting club leaders. No experience is necessary. Contact: thutson@umd.edu or pmurphy3@umd.edu or call 410-822-1244 for more information.

Pickering Creek Audubon Center
Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are welcome at Pickering Creek Audubon Center to participate in stewardship days, scheduled on a monthly basis. These events are appropriate for individuals, families or community groups and generally involve habitat enhancement, trail maintenance, and citizen science activities. To learn more about this and other volunteer opportunities, visit the volunteer pages at www.pickeringcreek.org or contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 410-822-4903 x26 or at spitts@audubon.org.

Habitat for Humanity Choptank
Volunteer. Advocate. Get Involved. You can make a difference in Dorchester and Talbot Counties by volunteering with Habitat Choptank in construction, mentoring partner families, helping in the office, or serving on a committee. For more information, contact Pat Ingram at 410-476-3204 or pingram@habitatchoptank.org.

St. Michaels Community Center
The SMCC welcomes volunteers interested in serving their community in a variety of fun and rewarding ways. The Thrift Shop can use friendly folks to sort inventory and work at the front counter. The Community Center wants volunteer instructors or assistants for classes, programs and community events. Call 410-745-6073 to start helping now!

TomCat Solutions
TomCat Solutions welcomes volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of free-roaming, abandoned and homeless cats. They need help collecting data, trapping cats (training provided), transporting cats to spay/neuter clinics, feeding and returning them to their caretakers – and finding barns for those that can’t be returned. Call 410-822-1496 or email info@TomCatSolutionsOnline.org.

Dorchester County

Character Counts Mid-Shore
Want to make a positive difference in the lives of our youth in Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties? Believe that children need to learn about the Six Pillars of Character - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship? Have 15 to 30 minutes a week to spare? If so, Character Counts Mid-Shore needs you! Call 410-819-0386 for more information.

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
Blackwater NWR seeks volunteers to assist with various activities on the Refuge. Volunteers are needed to help with staffing the Visitor Center, leading interpretive bus tours or trail walks, special events, gardening, trail and facility maintenance, and more. For more information, contact Michele Whitbeck at 410-901-6124 or Michele_whitbeck@fws.gov.

Horn Point Laboratory
The Horn Point Laboratory (HPL) seeks volunteers to assist in various opportunities at its facilities outside of Cambridge. Volunteers are needed for nature trail maintenance, gardening, and other outside handiwork. Help with youth activities at the Environmental Education Center. Help scientists with data-entry / database assistance, document scanning/management, literature searches, fieldwork, and laboratory assistance. Contact Linda Starling, Coordinator of Volunteers, at starling@hpl.umces.edu.

Cambridge Main Street
Cambridge Main Street is all about making the community a more vibrant, fun place to live and a more successful place to do business. Cambridge Main Street has just one employee, so much of the work it does depends on the efforts of volunteers. There are countless ways one can contribute. For more information, email office@cambridgemainstreet.com or call 443-477-0843.

Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary
The Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary needs volunteers to support the many services it provides in Cambridge. Positions are available at the Robin Hood Shop at 416 High Street and at the Hospitality Shop, Information Desk and patient care areas in the hospital, including free blood pressure screening weekly. The Auxiliary raises funds that provide programs and services to the patients of Dorchester General Hospital. For more information, call 410-228-1963.

Habitat for Humanity Choptank
Learn about how you can make a difference in Dorchester and Talbot counties by volunteering with Habitat Choptank in construction and other program areas. For more information or to register for a volunteer orientation session, call 410-476-3204 or email pingram@habitatchoptank.org.

Dorchester County Historical Society
A helping hand is always welcome at the society. Volunteers help with the many operational chores on campus, such as gardening, housekeeping, artifact research and documents. There are also many committees in which to become involved, including fundraising and teas. For more information, call 410-228-7953.

Richardson Maritime Museum
The Richardson Maritime Museum, in Cambridge, has an ongoing need for docents, exhibit design/construction, researchers, artifacts restoration, librarian and general building maintenance. The museum is dedicated to keeping alive the heritage of the Wooden Boat Builders and the Watermen of the Eastern Shore. Join in on the fun for a few hours a week to assist in this endeavor. For more information, contact gtaylor@richardsonmuseum.org or call 410-221-1871.

Kent County

Garfield Center for the Arts at the Prince Theatre
The historic theatre welcomes volunteers as ushers, bartenders and in many other capacities. No experience is necessary and training is provided. For more information, call 410-810-2060.

Queen Anne’s County

Chesapeake Cats and Dogs
CCAD is looking for volunteers to keep its Adoption Center open on weekends for your choice of a 2- or 4-hour shift. A few evening shifts are available (1 to 2 hours) for feeding, light cleaning and socializing with the cats. Dog Fosters are always needed to provide temporary homes for our dogs until they are adopted. Cat cuddlers, as well as help with fundraising events are always encouraged! For more information, visit www.ccadcatanddogrescue.org or call 410-643-9955.

Kent Island Federation of Arts (KIFA)
KIFA has two immediate needs, including a Gallery Docent to sit for three hours a month on either the 1st or 4th Fridays from 1 to 4 p.m. and secondly, help planning Kent Island Day celebration on May 21. Thirdly, KIFA needs volunteers to work on its major fundraiser, the June Garden Tour, which is large in scale and demands many committee members’ help. For more information, call Tom at 410-643-7424 or email info@kifa.us.

CommUNITY Mentoring Partnership
The CommUNITY Mentoring Partnership in Queen Anne’s County is designed to connect caring mentors with at-risk youth in grades 6 through 10. Each mentor makes a weekly commitment to spend at least an hour of interaction with their mentee and ultimately meet him or her both in and out of school. Mentoring activities could include things such as discussing current events, taking a nature walk, helping with organizational skills, playing sports or board games, cooking or reading books about a shared interest. The goal is to build a dependable, supportive and positive relationship with the mentee. It is hoped that these valuable mentoring moments will increase the academic performance and self-esteem of these young students. With this increase in confidence, it is expected that their lifetime goals and ambitions will increase as well. Additional mentors are still needed to fulfill the need in local schools. Training and ongoing support are available both at the school and through the mentor coordinator. Contact the mentor coordinator Jacki Carter at 410-758-6677 or jcarter@qac.org with any questions.

Queen Anne’s County Parks and Recreation
For anyone looking for volunteer and community service projects, the Queen Anne's County Parks and Recreation is always in need of extra hands. For more information on possible projects, call Gary Rzepecki at 410-758-0835 ext. 2522 or email grzepecki@qac.org to find out where to lend a helping hand!

Wye Grist Mill and Museum
The Wye Grist Mill is owned and operated by Friends of Wye Mill, Inc., a local non-profit organization. The mill is open mid-April through mid-November and grinds flour on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Call for volunteer activities at 410-827-3850.

Chesapeake Volunteer Center
Chesapeake Volunteer Center can help find the best volunteer opportunity to meet your needs, interests, schedule, location and any other preferences. The Volunteer Center is a "matchmaker" between potential volunteers and organizations. By using the database, groups, families and individuals have access to organizations looking for volunteers within Talbot, Caroline, Kent, Dorchester and Queen Anne’s counties – all in one convenient location. Register as a volunteer at www.chesapeake.edu/volunteer. For more information, call Marci Leach at Chesapeake College by calling 410-827-5833.

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center
CBEC accepts volunteers in all programs, including visitor center hosting, oyster seeding, trail maintenance, birds of prey maintenance, Bluebird monitoring, Wood Duck monitoring, teaching educational programs and more. For more information, call 410-827-6694.

Caroline County

Rebuilding Together Caroline County
Rebuilding Together Caroline County has an ongoing need for volunteers to improve the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. Volunteers are needed for repairs; hauling materials; selling useable building materials and working appliances; accepting donations; photographing jobs in progress or guiding applicants through the application process. . Visit www.rebuildingtogethercaroline.org for more information.

Character Counts Mid-Shore
Want to make a positive difference in the lives of our youth in Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties? Believe that children need to learn about the Six Pillars of Character - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship? Have 15 to 30 minutes a week to spare? If so, Character Counts Mid-Shore needs you! Call 410-819-0386 for more information.

Caroline County Humane Society
There are many ways a volunteer can help at the shelter, including fundraising, education, office work, animal transport, dog walker, cat cuddler, grooming, handy work, and more. For more information, call 410-820-1600.