Recently, our country has been facing its fair share of problems. From the fires in L.A. to the snowstorms in New Orleans and, most recently, the plane crash in D.C., it’s easy to feel helpless watching the people we care about, or even people we hear about in the news, have their lives completely changed. Although there aren’t many ways to give directly to those affected by all that has been going on, giving back to our community here in Maryland still has the power to make a helpless situation a little more hopeful.
Note that depending on the organization, there is an age restriction and that those under 18 need parental consent to volunteer.
Statewide volunteering:
All across Maryland, there are communities in need, and there are a multitude of organizations that offer volunteer work to help. All the organizations mentioned below are found on Maryland’s government website, along with more organizations: click here to learn more.
American Red Cross:
One of the biggest organizations in the country, the American Red Cross, offers a plethora of ways to give back to the community. From disaster response to fundraising, you can help.
The disaster response team is one way to work hands-on with people affected by disasters. According to The American Red Cross, “You can be part of a team that helps and responds to over 60,000 emergencies every year. From offering a caring and compassionate ear, to meeting the disaster-caused needs of individuals and households, such as lodging and clothing, and connecting them with long term recovery services, our volunteers ensure that families don’t have to face tough times alone.”
United Way of Central Maryland:
United Way of Central Maryland is one of Maryland’s three United Way organizations (the other two being Fredrick County and Washington County). The United Way organizations work to promote equity, create opportunities, and improve lives by increasing access to education, economic advancement, health, and housing. You can volunteer hands-on in two major ways: Food drives and Read Across America.
United Way of Central Maryland sponsors food drives throughout Baltimore County, where you can volunteer in the areas in need. Volunteers, according to their website, “help pack food and produce bags and place donations in cars as clients drive through the distribution.”
Another way the United Way of Central Maryland gives back is through Read Across America. Read Across America is a year-round program with the goal of motivating teens and children to read. As a volunteer, you can read aloud to kids and help manage book giveaways, reaching the goals of both Read Across America and United Way of Central Maryland.
Habitat for Humanity:
Habitat for Humanity is a volunteer organization that spans the nation, building affordable and safe housing for people. At Habitat for Humanity, volunteers build houses for those who need them, help revive struggling neighborhoods, help rebuild communities that have been struck by disaster, and so much more.
By building these homes, you are not only creating affordable and safe environments but fostering better lives for those living there. According to Habitat for Humanity’s website, “When a home fosters — instead of hinders — health and safety, families can flourish. Owning an affordable home also allows homeowners to lift up their entire family by saving for their futures and investing in educational opportunities — bolstering job opportunities and long-term career growth.”
Maryland Food Bank:
Through its three branches and 1,100 distribution points, Maryland Food Bank is bringing the hunger rate in Maryland down. Although Maryland is one of the wealthiest states in the country, one-third of the six million residents are likely to face hunger this year. Through the help of volunteers, Maryland Food Bank is decreasing the number of people who go hungry.
Countywide volunteering:
In Montgomery County, there are closer and more local opportunities to volunteer, similar to those statewide, but there are some that are specific to our county. All volunteer opportunities can be found on Montgomery County Volunteer Center website; click here to find more countywide volunteer opportunities.
Tacy Foundation:
The Tacy Foundation works to create a more comforting and enjoyable environment for seniors and hospital patients through the musical talents of volunteers. As a volunteer, you play or sing live at hospitals, including Shady Grove Hospital, or you can do music recording projects to give to those who may need inspiration or hope.
Montgomery Parks:
Parks throughout Montgomery County offer different types of volunteer opportunities throughout the parks. From Stream and Park Cleanups to trail volunteers and even weed warriors, you can help keep the parks throughout our county clean. According to their Montgomery County Volunteer Center posting, student volunteers, “help us build trails, remove litter from parks and streams, get rid of non-native invasive plants. They can also assist as camp counselors; ice skating assistants; nature center animal care aides and with archaeological digs. Student volunteers help parks in millions of ways!”
Two park cleanups are happening on Feb. 28, one at Glenmont Local Park and the other at Mill Creek Stream Valley Park.
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue:
Lucky Dog Animal Rescue works to give dogs and other animals a second chance and finds them forever homes. You can volunteer at their adoptions to help give all pets the best chance to find a home. According to their website, through their relationships with volunteers, veterinarians, trainers and boarding facilities, they are “able to rescue hundreds of animals every year, provide them with loving temporary care, and find them well-matched, carefully screened forever homes.”
The next upcoming adoption is on Mar. 16 at the PetSmart at Falls Church in Arlington.
Schoolwide Volunteering:
Throughout our school, clubs and organizations have done a lot to give back to the community. These are just a few examples of clubs that work to give back to communities.
Red Cross Club:
Wootton’s Red Cross Club hosts and promotes blood drives throughout the county, including in our school. You can donate blood or join and help organize blood drives. “It’s like voting. When you vote, and I know the students here haven’t voted yet in a major election, but when you vote you come out of the voting booth realizing you took part in something that is bigger than you, and that’s what giving blood is like; you’re involved in something really huge, and it’s cool in that way,” Red Cross Club Sponsor Jeffery Benya said.
Key Club:
Wootton’s Key Club promotes leadership through their volunteer work. Key Club works to make a difference in our community, from canned food drives to bake sales. “We host fundraising events, donate to charities or hospitals and partner with clubs. we’re either giving care packages or making crafts.” Key Club President and senior Saanvi Gadila said.
Homeless Helpers:
Homeless Helpers works to help the homeless through food drives, and all the members have passion for volunteering. “My favorite part about homeless helpers is creating a community surrounded by people who want to help others,” freshman Jyoti Koenig said.
All in all, Maryland offers a wide variety of volunteering opportunities, and from learning all about them, I can assure you that participating in one of them will make a helpless situation a lot more hopeful.
