Opportunities From: Montgomery County Volunteer Center

WHY A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue Exists:

 We founded our rescue after working in other shelters and rescues and seeing the same heartbreaking pattern: good, well-meaning people being turned away without even a conversation. We watched great potential adopters overlooked because of outdated rules and rigid expectations, while animals sat in kennels waiting for the mythical “perfect” home. Meanwhile, those turned away often ended up at breeders, and who could blame them? They were trying to do the right thing and were told they weren’t good enough.

We realized the system was failing both people and animals, and it wasn’t really about the animals’ safety. It was about the peoples’ fears.

So we started our own rescue, one built on conversation, not judgment, and rooted in the belief that adoption should be accessible, educational, and welcoming. That shift allows us to match more animals with adopters based on genuine connection, not unrealistic perfection — saving more lives, encouraging adoption over shopping, and helping people feel seen, supported, and proud to welcome a pet into their lives.

ABOUT A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue and WHAT we are doing:

 In just a few years as a 501(c)(3), we’ve rescued 122 dogs and cats from all over the country—including Puerto Rico—and placed them in loving homes that fit their needs as well as the needs of their new humans! What started as a reaction to the unnecessary gatekeeping and outdated norms in animal rescue has become a growing movement to make adoption easier, more inclusive, flexible, and rooted in empathy and education.

We’ve built a strong and expanding network of passionate volunteers, partnered with local vets and businesses, and made a real mark in the community. One of our most memorable rescues—a 7-week-old kitten trapped inside a scorching car engine—was featured in The MoCo Show as a symbol of quick action, collaboration, and heart. Read the story here: https://mocoshow.com/2025/06/30/cat-rescued-from-car-engine-in-extreme-heat/ 

We’ve been honored by the trust adopters place in us, reflected in glowing Yelp and Google reviews, and we’re only just getting started.

Our goals go beyond our own rescue: we aim to shift the animal welfare field itself—advocating for nonjudgmental conversations, educating the community about animal welfare topics such as vetting and training/animal behavior, and eliminating barriers deeply rooted in fear and/or bias, including racial prejudice in adoption and foster approvals. We believe rescue should feel accessible, supportive, and human—because when we do better for people, we do better for animals.

Volunteer Marketing Manager

We’re seeking an experienced and passionate Volunteer Marketing Manager to help share AHOTO’s story, strengthen our digital presence, and attract more adopters, volunteers, donors, and community supporters. This role is ideal for a creative, strategic marketing professional who is excited to use their expertise to make a meaningful impact in animal welfare.

WHY A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue Exists: 

We founded our rescue after working in other shelters and rescues and seeing the same heartbreaking pattern: good, well-meaning people being turned away without even a conversation. We watched great potential adopters overlooked because of outdated rules and rigid expectations, while animals sat in kennels waiting for the mythical “perfect” home. Meanwhile, those turned away often ended up at breeders — and who could blame them? They were trying to do the right thing and were told they weren’t good enough.

The Patesi Foundation is seeking a volunteer Grant Writer to help secure funding that supports menstrual health education, period products, postpartum support, and community outreach programs.

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Time Commitment

Help us secure the funding needed to expand our programs and create lasting impact in the community.

Volunteers will create physical cheerful penpal letters to brighten the day of hospitalized children, seniors, and students. These letters will be distributed to hospitals, senior centers, and youth programs to help brighten someone’s day and reduce feelings of isolation. Each letter is 1 SSL hour. Please include a separate cover letter including your name, email address, school name, and number of cards submitted.

Artwork Guidelines:

Artwork can be created using: Colored pencils, markers, watercolor, crayons, etc. All drawings must be fully colored.

Physical artworks should be created on cardstock, watercolor paper, or letter paper (cardstock or watercolor paper preferred). Fold the paper in half and only draw on one side of the paper. The other side will be used to write the letter. You can draw anything appropriate and encouraging. Please avoid violent and scary themes. Some good drawing ideas include nature landscapes, animals, flowers, sunsets, etc. 

Letter Guidelines: Write a letter (6-10 sentences) about: something you did recently, a hobby you enjoy, a favorite place or season, something that made you smile, etc. The letter must fill up both sides of the inside of the card. Please do not mention illness, politics, hospitals or write phrases like “get well soon.” Instead, focus on sharing something cheerful about your life. Each completed card counts as 1 SSL hour. Please start with a friendly greeting such as: Hi there! Hello! Please only include your first name at the end of the letter (Ex. Love, Alex). Letters should be handwritten so they feel more personal and genuine to the recipient.

Please do not include any personal information such as your full name, email address, or home address in your notes. Also, please do not include any real-life pictures or images of yourself. 

Examples: 

Submissions must meet basic quality standards. SSL hours will not be awarded if they: Are not fully colored, include AI-generated artwork, appear very low effort (quick scribbles, unfinished drawings), contain inappropriate or negative content, contain unoriginal/copied content (including templates), etc. Please create artwork that you would feel proud to give to a friend or display on your wall. Our goal is to share high-quality, cheerful artwork and messages that can truly brighten someone’s day.

SSL hours for submissions received before 8/30/2026 will be reviewed and sent out on 9/1/2026

SSL hours for submissions received on or after 9/1/2026 will be reviewed and sent out in January 2027.

Please send submissions (drop off or by mail) to 10 Case Street, 20878 Gaithersburg MD.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

SSL Hours: 1 original educational coloring page = 1 SSL hour (research + design + learning element). Complex pages may earn 2 hours — see the tiered system below.

Where: Fully virtual — from home, by hand or digitally (tablet/software).

Who it helps: Pediatric patients in care settings supported by Arts-n-STEM4Hearts, including local hospitals and children's facilities.

Turn creativity into healing and learning! Volunteers create original coloring pages that blend cheerful art with a simple STEM learning element. We compile them into themed educational booklets and deliver them — or mail them digitally/print — to kids receiving care.

NOTE: You may use AI tools only to digitize and clean up your own hand-drawn designs (for example, to make lines bolder, convert to clean vector format, or improve scan quality for better printing).
Do not use AI to generate or construct the main illustrations, scenes, characters, or overall page content.

We award hours based on the depth of the page, so effort is recognized fairly:

As you complete the project, keep a log of the hours spent working on the project (Date, Time in, Time Out, Total Hours, Activity Description). Email your log and finished page(s) as quality PDF files to support@arts-n-stem4hearts.org, including your name, the theme, the intended age range, and which tier you're claiming. We'll review each page for quality completion and confirm hours for your SSL form.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

SSL Hours: 15 completed cards = 1 SSL hour

Where: From home, on your own schedule

Who it helps: Hospital patients, veterans, first responders, and assisted-living residents served by Arts-n-STEM4Hearts.

Brighten someone's day with a handmade card! Volunteers design and create handwritten cards that we deliver to people who need a little encouragement — patients, seniors, veterans, and first responders. Every card you make goes directly to someone in our community. Make 15 cards to earn 1 SSL hour. You're welcome to make as many sets as you'd like.

What materials or supplies do I need? You can use any supplies you have at home! Cardstock, printer paper, crayons, pens, paints, markers, or design digitally and print — whatever you've got. Feel free to be creative!

Do the cards have to be a specific size? Typically we receive cards about 5 x 7 inches, folded in half. Please put all cards in one envelope or bag, and group/label them together by the type of card (for example, "Get Well" or "Thank You").

How should I sign the cards? Do not give any personal information in the cards — this is for your safety. You can keep it anonymous, or write: "[Your first name], Arts-n-STEM4Hearts Foundation Volunteer."

Can you help with what to write inside? Of course! Here are a few starters — and feel free to research other appropriate card-message ideas too.

Get well cards:

"You are amazing, and someone is thinking of you today!"

"Sending you a big smile and lots of cheer. You brighten the world!"

"Wishing you a wonderful day filled with little joys."

"You matter, and you're awesome just as you are!"

Thank you cards for first responders or military:

"Thank you for your sacrifices and hard work! You are our true hero! Be strong and have courage!"

"Thank you for your courage and strength. We are thinking of you and sending our gratitude."

As you complete the project, keep a log of the hours spent working on the project (Date, Time in, Time Out, Total Hours, Activity Description). Count your completed cards (15 cards = 1 hour), label your bundle, and email us at support@arts-n-stem4hearts.org to coordinate the card drop-off. Have your SSL form and your time log emailed for verification, and include your name and the number of cards completed in the email body.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

To support all the students (ages 18-25) requesting help, we are seeking volunteers who could commit to 2-3 hours per week for a commitment of 3 months helping students in their efforts to obtain an internship or job.

Work with students on career/internship activities including:

Training (two 1.5 hour sessions) and support will be provided to explain the successful process we use to support our students in these efforts.

Interested to learn more? Complete this short form https://form.jotform.com/81224548384157 and a staff member will contact you to set up a time to talk.

Founded by a three-time cancer survivor, Kits to Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives curated cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Our mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Please visit our website for the most updated instructions:

https://kitstoheart.org/pages/volunteers

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Kits to Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives curated cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Our mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Please visit our website for the most updated instructions:

https://kitstoheart.org/pages/volunteers

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Kits to Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives curated cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Our mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Please review the details and further guidance here: bit.ly/KTH-Volunteer

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Please visit our website for the most updated instructions:

https://kitstoheart.org/pages/volunteers

Kits to Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives curated cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Our mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Please visit our website for the most updated instructions:

https://kitstoheart.org/pages/volunteers

Kits to Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives curated cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Our mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Kits to Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives curated cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Our mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Please visit our website for the most updated instructions:

https://kitstoheart.org/pages/volunteers

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Kits to Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives curated cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Our mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Please visit our website for the most updated instructions:

https://kitstoheart.org/pages/volunteers

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Founded by a three-time cancer survivor, Kits to Heart is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives curated cancer care kits to patients and their loved ones. Our mission is to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer, one kit at a time.

Please visit our website for the most updated instructions:

https://kitstoheart.org/pages/volunteers

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours. See guidelines for agencies on how virtual opportunities may be considered for SSL.

Share your food allergy story (1 SSL hour, min 200 words)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScTMqa5INS1CgSctC1BCw5_7v9X1JgiLc80qyhGSwU-Z58taQ/viewform

Share your favorite recipe considering your allergy (1 SSL hour per recipe, min 100 words) Max 2 recipes

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZHyWRtMtmwr1eEip5cbKnW1DVhTsMm8jJJnRIxLuXoYKvNw/viewform

Please send SSL form to allergy.aware23@gmail.com with your name and email (We cant send email to mcps emails so please use personal email)

We aim to spread awareness about food allergies and aim to make this community and world a safer, more  inclusive place for people with food allergies. Your stories help us with that mission. Please feel free to add to your stories, what you would like to be changed and where are the gaps in knowledge.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Connect Your Neighbors With Local Volunteering Options – Right from Home!

When we know more, we can do more. 

Community Compass is a crowdsourced platform that connects volunteers with their community and each other. We’re building a national directory of nonprofit organizations, mutual aid and grassroots networks, service clubs, and more. Because volunteer groups come in all shapes and sizes, our Community Pages include smaller, less formal organizations alongside established nonprofits.

We’re looking for enthusiastic contributors (like you!) to help us update and enrich Community Pages and Organization Pages on Community Compass. With some research and your curiosity, you can help your neighbors quickly find nearby nonprofits, mutual aid groups, service clubs and more – making it simpler than ever for everyone to make a local impact.

Community Compass contributors have already helped us identify over 3,600 ways to volunteer in more than 380 communities in the US!

What You'll Do:

Be a Contributor: Conduct quick, simple online research to identify active service clubs, mutual aid groups, and upcoming volunteer events in your community.

Be a Fact Checker: Enhance your community's page on Ways to Connect by ensuring the information is current, accurate, and inviting for potential volunteers.

Be an Organizational Profile Builder: Create Community Compass pages for nonprofit organizations.

Be an Ambassador: Coming soon

Why Volunteer with Community Compass?

Easy and accessible: Volunteer remotely at your convenience.

Immediate community impact: Help your neighbors discover meaningful ways to contribute.

Flexible commitment: Volunteer for as little as 2 hours, or as much as you'd like.

Growth opportunities: Volunteers can explore deeper involvement through our Ambassador program.

Ready to help your community thrive? Join us today and make volunteering easier for everyone.

Love to sing? Play an instrument? Want to make a real impact in your community?

Join our student musicians in sharing music and joy with seniors! Through your performances, you can brighten someone’s day while earning Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.

Who can join?

Open to students from elementary school through high school, plus college students at a beginner or casual level

All skill levels, instruments, and musical styles are encouraged

How to sign-up?

Fill out this form to sign-up for our mailing list with your email. (No obligation to perform. Signing up here simply indicates you are interested about learning about future opportunities)

https://forms.gle/MgH6MLAmirYKFDwd8

Fill out this form to sign-up for a concert

https://forms.gle/Pr2EY4w748JsyL369

In-person volunteers will earn FOUR (4) SSL Hours for their participation

Virtual volunteers will earn ONE (1) SSL Hour for every piece performed (with a maximum of two in any given virtual concert)

We are a registered nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting student musicians with senior communities through live and virtual performances. Our mission is to use music as a way to build connection, spread positivity, and create meaningful experiences for older adults.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Volunteer Opportunity: TikTok Creator

Organization: Grace Helping Hands
Position Type: Volunteer
Location: Remote
Commitment: Flexible (4 hours/week preferred); One-year commitment required

About Us:
Grace Helping Hands is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to restoring dignity and supporting stability for women and children experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Through the distribution of hygiene and self-care kits, we serve communities across Maryland in partnership with local shelters and organizations.

Position Overview:
We are looking for creative and motivated TikTok Creator Volunteers to help share our mission, community impact, and outreach efforts through engaging short-form content. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy storytelling, content creation, and using social media to make a positive impact.

Key Responsibilities:

Qualifications:

What You’ll Gain:

How to Apply:
Please complete this form to register and volunteer with GHH. Please email your interest, relevant experience, and availability to volunteer@gracehelpinghands.org

SSL Hours for Social Media Support
Middle and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by reviewing, finalizing, and creating content for our social media platforms, including TikTok ,Instagram and Facebook.

SSL Hour Equivalency:

-          Volunteers creating videos will receive SSL hours based on the actual amount of time spent producing the video, upon review and approval by Grace Helping Hands.

-          Volunteers reviewing videos will receive 1 SSL hour for every three (3) social media content pieces reviewed and finalized (e.g., TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook posts), upon review and approval by Grace Helping Hands.

-          All submitted work must meet Grace Helping Hands content standards and receive approval before SSL hours are awarded.

Instructions for Earning SSL Hours:
Content Review and Creation Requirements:
Review content created by the social media team, including:
- Titles and descriptions.
- Introduction/context of the post.
- Message clarity and impact.
- Hashtags and keywords.
- Attached images, videos, and links (e.g., YouTube).
- Proofread for grammar, spelling, and style.
- Edit, finalize, or create engaging content specifically designed for TikTok , Instagram and Facebook.

Submission Process:
Submit the reviewed, finalized, or created content as a document to volunteer@gracehelpinghands.org for approval.
Make edits based on feedback provided by Grace Helping Hands.

Approval Process:
An adult representative from Grace Helping Hands will review the finalized content.

Additional Notes:
All social media content will be managed and approved by Grace Helping Hands.
Volunteers assisting with website updates will work on improving the site’s layout, adding relevant content, and optimizing functionality. Prior experience with web editing is helpful but not required.

To ensure consistency and impact, we ask that volunteers commit to at least 12 months of service and be able to dedicate four hours per week to this role. Responsibilities include creating and scheduling posts, engaging with our online community, and helping spread awareness about our mission to provide toiletry kits and feminine products to homeless women and children. If you're passionate about social media and want to use your skills to make a difference, we’d love to have you on board!

How to Participate:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Is there a limit on the number of hours?
Students: Limited to 3 hours per day during the school year and 6 hours per day during holidays and breaks.
Adults: Limited to 6 hours per day.

Is this approved for MCPS SSL hours?
YES, this opportunity qualifies for SSL hours.

Is this opportunity still open?
YES, it is an ongoing need.

How will I receive my SSL hours?
Verified SSL hours will be documented, and the SSL form will be sent via email after service completion and work review.

Additional Information Regarding This Opportunity:
- Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student's parent/guardian.
- The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy.
- SSL hours will be awarded based on the evidence submitted.
- Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions or concerns.
- Written approval from the student's parent/guardian is required prior to participation in the virtual platform.
- Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in virtual sessions.
- Students will engage under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor, who will be present during all virtual interactions, including breakout sessions.
- Nonprofit supervisors will initiate and host all virtual sessions. Sessions will not occur if the supervisor is unavailable.
- Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

To ensure consistency and impact, we ask that volunteers commit to 12 months of service and be able to dedicate four hours per week to this role.

Effective 01/01/2026 --

Grace Helping Hands is seeking volunteers to assist with social media content creation and posting to help promote our mission of providing essential toiletry kits to homeless women and children.

To ensure consistency and impact, we ask that volunteers commit to 12 months of service and be able to dedicate three hours per week to this role.

Effective 01/01/2026 --

Volunteer Opportunity: Encouragement Cards (Virtual)

At Grace Helping Hands, volunteers are the heart of our mission. We are a grassroots nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) dedicated to providing toiletry kits, including essential feminine hygiene products, to homeless women and children.

Help spread kindness and hope by writing encouragement cards for individuals we serve. This is a flexible, virtual volunteer opportunity that can be completed from anywhere, on your own schedule.

What You’ll Do
Volunteers will handwrite positive and uplifting messages on index cards to encourage and support individuals in our community.

Card Requirements

Suggested Themes
Messages may focus on topics such as:

Delivery Methods
You may submit completed cards using one of the following options:

Earn SSL Hours!

You can earn Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for each hour you volunteer. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community while fulfilling your service requirements.

This Student Service Learning (SSL) opportunity is approved for Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) middle and high school students.

Students can earn SSL hours by creating handwritten encouragement cards for unhoused women and children served by Grace Helping Hands.

SSL Hour Credit (MCPS Approved)

30 encouragement cards = 1 SSL hour

• Students may earn up to 3 SSL hours per day during the school year

• Students may earn up to 6 SSL hours per day during holidays and school breaks

Guidelines:

• Messages must be kind, supportive, and appropriate for all audiences

• Do not include last names, phone numbers, email addresses, or social media handles

Submission & Verification Process

1. Complete the encouragement cards

2. Take a clear photo of the completed cards

3. Email the photo to volunteer@gracehelpinghands.org

4. Drop off or mail the physical cards as instructed

SSL hours will be awarded after cards are reviewed and received. Verified SSL hours will be documented and an SSL verification form will be emailed after service completion.

MCPS SSL Requirements & Safety Notice

• Participation is at the discretion of the student’s parent or guardian

• This activity is designed to be completed safely at home

•  SSL hours are awarded based on evidence submitted and reviewed

Contact Information

For questions regarding this SSL opportunity, please contact:  volunteer@gracehelpinghands.org

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Earn SSL Hours from Home with Grace Helping Hands!

We are a grassroots nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) dedicated to providing toiletry kits, including essential feminine hygiene products, to homeless women and children in our local area.

Are you interested in making a meaningful impact while earning Student Service Learning (SSL) hours? Join Grace Helping Hands as a virtual grant-writing volunteer! Your efforts will directly support our mission of providing toiletry kits to homeless women and children.

At Grace Helping Hands, volunteers are the heart of our mission.

Grant Writing Opportunity!

We are seeking dedicated individuals to support our organization by:
- Finding and researching grant opportunities that align with our mission. -

- Completing grant applications to secure funding for our programs and initiatives.

This is a virtual volunteer opportunity, allowing you to contribute from the comfort of your home.

Effective 01/01/2026 --

Are you interested in making a meaningful impact? Join Grace Helping Hands as a virtual Grant-writer/Researcher volunteer! Your efforts will directly support our mission of providing toiletry kits to homeless women and children.

At Grace Helping Hands, volunteers are the heart of our mission.

Location: Remote
Commitment:  12 months minimum, 4–8 hours/week

Grace Helping Hands is a grassroots nonprofit committed to supporting homeless women and children by providing essential hygiene kits and feminine products. We serve communities across Montgomery County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, Baltimore City and Washington DC through partnerships with local shelters and pantries.

We are seeking a volunteer Grant Researcher and Writer to help identify funding opportunities and craft strong, mission-aligned proposals. This role is vital to expanding our impact and sustainability as we grow.

Responsibilities:

Research grants from foundations, corporations, and government sources.

Track deadlines and maintain a grant calendar.

Write and edit proposals, LOIs, and reports.

Collaborate with the Executive Director to gather data and financials.

Develop reusable content for future applications.

Qualifications:

Strong writing, research, and organizational skills.

Experience with grant writing or nonprofit development preferred not mandatory.

Willingness to learn.

Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Passion for serving women and families experiencing homelessness.

Benefits:

Contribute directly to a mission-driven cause.

Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit fundraising.

Flexible schedule and remote work.

Letters of recommendation available upon request.

How to Apply: Please complete this form to register and volunteer with GHH. 

Contact us:
For more information, please reach out to us at  volunteer@gracehelpinghands.org

This is a virtual volunteer opportunity, allowing you to contribute from the comfort of your home. To ensure consistency and impact, we ask that volunteers commit to 12 months of service to this role.

Effective 01/01/2026 --

The Website Improvement Project provides students with the opportunity to support The Little Wind Phone Project by helping improve the organization's public website. Volunteers will review assigned pages on the organization's Wix website and provide recommendations that enhance accessibility, usability, content quality, and overall visitor experience.

This project helps ensure that community members can easily access information about Wind Phones, grief support resources, volunteer opportunities, and the organization's mission.

Volunteers will:

Volunteers must submit:

Option A: Website Review Report

Option B: Website Page Update

To receive SSL credit, volunteers must:

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.

Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.

Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.

The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.

Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.

Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

The Community Resource Research Project helps The Little Wind Phone Project identify new opportunities to expand its impact. Students will conduct research to locate potential Wind Phone installation sites, community partners, grief support organizations, sponsorship opportunities, or grant funding sources.

The information gathered by volunteers directly supports the organization's outreach and growth efforts.

Volunteer will:

Volunteers must submit:

One completed research project meeting all requirements = 3 SSL Hours

To receive SSL credit, volunteers must:

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.

Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.

Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.

The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.

Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.

Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

The Graphic Design Project allows students to create visual materials that educate the public about Wind Phones, grief awareness, community healing, and volunteer opportunities. Volunteers will design professional-quality promotional and educational materials using organization-provided branding guidelines.

These materials may be used in community outreach events, social media campaigns, fundraising efforts, and educational programs.

Volunteers will:

Volunteers must submit:

Projects should:

One completed design project meeting all requirements = 2 SSL Hours (and up to 2 additional hours depending on the amount of revisions needed)

To receive SSL credit, volunteers must:

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.

Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.

Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.

The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.

Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.

Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

The Content Development Project provides students with an opportunity to contribute written materials that educate, inform, and engage the community about grief, remembrance, mental wellness, and the mission of The Little Wind Phone Project.

Volunteers will create written content based on topics assigned or approved by the organization.

Volunteers will:

Volunteers must submit:

Content should:

One completed article or content project meeting all requirements = 2 SSL Hours (and up to 2 additional hours depending on the amount of revisions needed)

To receive SSL credit, volunteers must:

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.

Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.

Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.

The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.

Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.

Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

Carpe Diem Arts, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) entity located in Silver Spring MD, is looking for the right person to join our board of directors as our Treasurer.  Carpe Diem Arts brings arts programming into the community, meeting people where they are, offering everyone access to the many benefits of the arts.

Our goal is to create opportunities for people of all ages and walks of life to participate in culturally diverse visual, literary, and performing arts. We create partnerships with community and site managers to develop impactful programs that serve their constituent populations. We also support the livelihoods of master teaching and performing artists who represent a broad range of cultures, as we lean into folk traditions from around the world. We promote the arts as a means of building community, inspiring hope and harmony, celebrating diversity and transcending differences.

The following summarizes our position of volunteer Treasurer and member of the board of directors.

Accountability 

The board Treasurer is an executive and voting member of the board of directors of Carpe Diem Arts and appointed in a manner consistent with the bylaws. He/she is accountable to the Board for the fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities outlined below

Authority 

The Treasurer, as with other board members, has no authority to direct staff or take independent action on matters outside of the duties outlined unless given such authority by the Board 

Time Commitment 

Approximately 6-8 hours per month (board meetings, meetings with the Executive Director and CFO, committee meetings, performing other duties described below) 

Term of Office  

Two-year term with the possibility of renewal for two additional terms. 

Roles and Responsibilities 

The Treasurer will offer guidance to the Executive Director and Board Chair in ensuring good fiscal planning, decision-making and oversight at a governance level.  

His/her principal duties are to: 

Committee Membership 

Qualifications 

CONTACT: Tom Armstrong, Board Chair at jtarmstrong1@gmail.com  

Please cc: info@carpediemarts.org 

THANK YOU for your interest!

CARPE DIEM ARTS, Inc.
9207 Long Branch Parkway
Silver Spring, MD 20901

www.carpediemarts.org 

Carpe Diem Arts brings arts programming into the community, meeting people where they are, offering everyone access to the many benefits of the arts.  A 501 (c)(3) entity headquartered in Silver Spring MD, Carpe Diem Arts is looking for the right person to join our board of directors as our Development Advisor to explore and participate in developing funding opportunities as well as cultivating the donor base relationships. 

Our goal is to create opportunities for people of all ages and walks of life to participate in culturally diverse visual, literary, and performing arts. We create partnerships with community and site managers to develop impactful programs that serve their constituent populations. We also support the livelihoods of master teaching and performing artists who represent a broad range of cultures, as we lean into folk traditions from around the world. We promote the arts as a means of building community, inspiring hope and harmony, celebrating diversity and transcending differences.

The following summarizes our position of volunteer Development Advisor and member of the board of directors.

Responsibilities include:

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

Carpe Diem Arts is a local and small nonprofit dedicated to connecting people of all ages in Montgomery County and environs to music, dance, and visual arts through regularly occurring events, as well as providing children with opportunities to learn and grow via the arts through summer camps, in-school music instruction, and after-school programming. 

Through shared arts experiences in the visual, literary and performing arts, individuals and groups find common ground, discover new talents and interests, and build lasting relationships. 

Our guiding values are social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and joy--- employing the arts to unite, energize and inspire us to create the change we need to see in the world. Bringing the arts to life in ways that matter and make a difference.

CONTACT: Tom Armstrong, Board Chair at jtarmstrong1@gmail.com  

Please cc: info@carpediemarts.org 

Bethesda Metro Area Village is seeking volunteers to become occasional service providers for our members - older adults in the downtown Bethesda and surrounding areas.  We have various types of volunteer opportunities available but are specifically looking for volunteers who can help answer questions about technology.

Volunteer service providers must be over 18. Some services take place in the home, like connecting a new computer or troubleshooting a cable connection. Other questions might be able to be answered over the phone.  We are looking for volunteers with an interest in basic troubleshooting for home computers, printers, networking, and smartphones.  Complicated or time consuming questions are referred to paid providers.

Candidates must be personable and patient and feel that they have a good rapport with seniors.

Volunteers fill out an application and go through a background check and a short training.  You choose which service requests you would like to accept - there is no requirement to take any minimum number of requests and you do what is convenient for you. Most requests are for weekdays but there is great flexibility in dates. 

Volunteering is a wonderful way to contribute to your community. If you would like to help seniors to age in place in their homes and increase connection with their community, we would love to have you. 

For more information, check out www.bmavillage.org/volunteer and then contact us at director@bmavillage.org or 240-630-2628. 

You will NOT GET A RESPONSE if you just click on the blue respond button here, please email directly.

International Education and Civic Engagement Organization, Inc. (IECEO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving students, immigrants, newcomers, and families in Montgomery County. This virtual volunteer opportunity allows students to support educational and community programs through online service.

Volunteers may assist with ESL tutoring, academic tutoring, college readiness activities, newcomer support, community outreach projects, educational workshops, and civic engagement initiatives.

Volunteer activities may include:

This is a virtual/remote volunteer opportunity.

Volunteer hours will be tracked through attendance records and verified by the organization. Students participating in live supervised virtual sessions will earn SSL hours on an hour-for-hour basis. This opportunity is open to middle school, high school, and college students who want to support education, community service, and immigrant families while developing leadership, communication, and service skills.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Birthday Cakes 4 Free Maryland (BC4F) is a nonprofit organization that collects and delivers birthday cakes to financially and socially disadvantaged children and seniors. We are an entirely student run organization!

Anyone can become a volunteer! There is no minimum age requirement. This is a great way to start earning SSL hours in middle school. 

Students bake cakes in their homes. Cakes must meet the container guidelines which are outlined on www.bc4f.org under Volunteer/FAQ. The decoration/flavor/design of your cake(s) is up to you but we would prefer if you could write “Happy Birthday!” on your cake(s). You can make a cake from a cake mix or your favorite recipe. Round, square or rectangle cakes are all okay as long as they are individually and securely boxed, with lids taped for transport. Round cakes must have multiple layers. Single layer 9" round cakes will not earn SSL hours. We also accept cupcakes. Twenty-four cupcakes are equivalent to one cake. Cake requirements are posted on our website.  We DO NOT accept pies or alternative baked goods. ALL decorations MUST be edible. https://www.bc4f.org/faq

How to Sign-Up to Bake Cakes

You must SIGN-UP for our Newsletter in order to receive the Google Form to sign-up to bake cakes. To subscribe, go to https://www.bc4f.org/newsletter. DO NOT USE an MCPS email address as all external emails are blocked. Once a month, you will receive information about delivery dates, delivery address, and delivery times. Currently, we accept cake donations on one Sunday a month. Our current delivery location is in Rockville near Farmland Elementary School. The Google Form is included in the monthly Newsletter so that you can sign-up with the number of cakes you would like to donate. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF CAKES DONATED IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE MORE VOLUNTEERS. The SSL form is provided at the time/date of cake delivery as long as the cake(s) meet donation requirements. SSL hours are awarded as follows:

1 cake (or 24 cupcakes) = 2 total SSL hours

2 cakes (or 48 cupcakes) = 3 total SSL hours

3 cakes (or 72 cupcakes) = 4 total SSL hours

4 cakes (or 96 cupcakes) = 5 total SSL hours

5 cakes (or 120 cupcakes) = 6 total SSL hours

6 cakes (or 144 cupcakes) = 7 total SSL hours

7 cakes (or 168 cupcakes) = 8 total SSL hours

To sign up, please visit https://www.bc4f.org/newsletter and subscribe to our newsletter.

Please Note: DO NOT SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER WITH AN MCPS EMAIL ADDRESS. You will not be able to receive the Newsletter with cake delivery information because MCPS blocks external emails.  

Check out our website https://www.bc4f.org/.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Ready to change a life from the comfort of home? 

Join ENGin as a conversation partner and be matched with a learner in Ukraine for weekly one-on-one English conversations. In just one hour a week, you can help someone build confidence, break the language barrier, and feel supported, all while discovering a new culture and making a genuine human connection.

1. We welcome all students from Kindergarten to 12th grade, as well as amateur college students.
2. All music levels and genres are welcome.

** UNMUTE In-person concerts in Montgomery County are held at the following locations, 

@ Brightview Fallsgrove Senior Living (9200 Darnestown Rd, Rockville, MD 20850).

@ Modena Reserve (10540 Metropolitan Ave., Kensington, MD 20895)

@ Sunrise Brighton Gardens of Friendship Heights (5555 Friendship Blvd., Chevy Chase, MD 20815)

** UNMUTE In-person concerts in Howard County are held at the following locations,

@ Sunrise Senior Living Columbia C (6500 Freetown Rd., Columbia, MD 21044)

@ Residencies at Vantage Point (5400 Vantage Point Rd, Columbia, MD 21044)

** UNMUTE In-person concerts in Baltimore County are held at the following location,

@ Lorien Mays Chapel (12230 Roundwood Rd, Timonium, MD 21093)

UNMUTE's Student Service Learning (SSL) hours Calculation Rules and Timeline has been adjusted to meet public school's policies and compliance requirements. 

SSL verification form Timeline:

Volunteer with UNMUTE to bring warmth and music to the senior community !!

We are currently seeking individuals 21 and older to serve as our Shopify Account Strategist Advisor  to help us transforms our online store from a simple website into a high-converting, scalable business engine. To advise on basic design and coding tasks by diagnosing our platform's inefficiencies that will lead to  building tailored growth roadmaps, and optimizing our your customer's journey to maximize profitability.

We're' currently seeking adults 21 or older with at least 2yrs of experience, to serve as managers/consultants for our social media platforms. In serving in this capacity, your primary task will be to help our organization boost our online presence by raising brand awareness on all of our social media platforms, such as (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snap Chat, X, YouTube our online publication

We would also need your input in advising  us on our  Social media monetization opportunity. by advising us on strategies on how to convert our social media activity, audience, and content into revenue streams to help us  raise capital  through ads, sponsorships, fundraising, campaigns or direct fan support for  educational and youth programming, and converting followers into paying customers

About the Department of Housing and Community Affairs

DHCA works to preserve and increase the supply of affordable housing, maintain existing housing in a safe and sanitary condition, preserve the safety and quality of residential and commercial areas, ensure fair and equitable relations between landlords and tenants, and support the success of common ownership communities – all with a focus on reducing racial inequities and climate change impacts.

About the Volunteer Position

Benefits of the volunteer position include gaining valuable work experience, building career networks, exploring career options, and gaining on the job training. The Volunteer may tailor their projects based on their personal interest.

Examples of responsibilities include but are not limited to:

The Volunteer position can be part time or full time with a flexible schedule. Our office is located at 1401 Rockville Pike, 4th floor, Rockville, MD 20852.

Application Process

Please email your resume to Jackie Hawksford at  jackie.hawksford@montgomerycountymd.gov.

The Foundation to Fight H-ABC is seeking a volunteer Scientific Advisory Board Member to provide scientific and strategic guidance to our Board of Directors as we advance research for H-ABC (TUBB4A-related leukodystrophy), an ultra-rare neurologic disease affecting children.

This role is ideal for an experienced scientist, clinician, or translational research professional who can help our patient-led nonprofit evaluate scientific opportunities, interpret research discussions, and strengthen strategic decision-making related to therapeutic development.

Responsibilities may include:

Ideal candidates may have experience in:
Neurology, genetics, rare disease research, translational medicine, biomarkers, clinical trial design, biotechnology, drug development, regulatory science, or related scientific leadership.

Time commitment: Flexible; approximately 2–4 hours per month.

Why it matters:
Your expertise can help guide strategic scientific decisions that may accelerate research and treatment opportunities for children living with a devastating ultra-rare neurologic disease.

Qualifications:

Advanced scientific, medical, biotech, or translational research experience preferred (MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent experience helpful). Candidates should be comfortable reviewing scientific materials, interpreting research discussions, and communicating complex scientific concepts in practical terms to nonprofit leadership. Experience in neurology, genetics, biomarkers, drug development, clinical research, rare disease, or scientific advisory roles is highly valued. Prior board, advisory, or strategic consulting experience is a plus.

Location: Virtual

Website:  h-abc.org

Our Volunteers Child Advocates work one-on-one with unaccompanied migrant children to connect with them and advocate for their rights. Child Advocates meet on a weekly basis for about an hour plus travel time.

We have some basic requirements to volunteering with us:

We host multiple trainings every year in both virtual and in-person formats. In 2026, trainings will take place in April, July, and September.

https://www.theyoungcenter.org/accompany-a-child/become-a-child-advocate

UMAN is in urgent need of an experienced grant writer familiar with the logic model. This can be a one- time project, or a continuing opportunity. Grant Writer will work directly with the Program Manager. This opportunity can be remote after initial introduction.

Become a committed leader with a working board and assist in the expansion of UMAN through board planning, fundraising efforts, and special events. Meetings are the third Thursday of the month over Teams or in Germantown. Great, caring, friendly board!!! We need your help! We could particularly use new members with fundraising/grant writing experience. UMAN is seeking more Board representation from the diverse community we serve. Time Details: 3rd Thursday of each month 7-8 pm via Teams or in Germantown MD, plus committee work when available. 

The Foundation to Fight H-ABC is seeking a passionate volunteer with strong community, business, philanthropic, or donor connections to help expand awareness and fundraising support for children living with H-ABC (TUBB4A-related leukodystrophy), an ultra-rare neurologic disease.

This volunteer role is ideal for someone who enjoys opening doors, making introductions, building relationships, and helping nonprofit missions grow.

Responsibilities may include:

Ideal candidates may have experience in:
Fundraising, sales, community leadership, nonprofit board service, philanthropy, corporate partnerships, business networking, or social media influence.

Time commitment: Flexible; approximately 2–5 hours per month or project-based.

Why it matters:
Your connections and advocacy can help accelerate awareness, family support, and research efforts for children living with a devastating ultra-rare disease that currently has no cure.

Location: Virtual, with optional support for community initiatives in Montgomery County, Maryland and beyond.

Website:  H-abc.org

Not approved for SSL

WHY A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue Exists:

 We founded our rescue after working in other shelters and rescues and seeing the same heartbreaking pattern: good, well-meaning people being turned away without even a conversation. We watched great potential adopters overlooked because of outdated rules and rigid expectations, while animals sat in kennels waiting for the mythical “perfect” home. Meanwhile, those turned away often ended up at breeders — and who could blame them? They were trying to do the right thing and were told they weren’t good enough.

We realized the system was failing both people and animals, and it wasn’t really about the animals’ safety — it was about the peoples’ fears.

So we started our own rescue, one built on conversation, not judgment, and rooted in the belief that adoption should be accessible, educational, and welcoming. That shift allows us to match more animals with adopters based on genuine connection, not unrealistic perfection — saving more lives, encouraging adoption over shopping, and helping people feel seen, supported, and proud to welcome a pet into their lives.

ABOUT A Home of Their Own Animal Rescue and WHAT we are doing:

In just a couple years as a 501(c)(3), we’ve rescued hundreds of dogs and cats from all over the country—including Puerto Rico—and placed them in loving homes that fit their needs as well as the needs of their new humans! What started as a reaction to the unnecessary gatekeeping and outdated norms in animal rescue has become a growing movement to make adoption easier, more inclusive, flexible, and rooted in empathy and education.

We’ve built a strong and expanding network of passionate volunteers, partnered with local vets and businesses, and made a real mark in the community. One of our most memorable rescues—a 7-week-old kitten trapped inside a scorching car engine—was featured in The MoCo Show as a symbol of quick action, collaboration, and heart. Read the story here: https://mocoshow.com/2025/06/30/cat-rescued-from-car-engine-in-extreme-heat/

We’ve been honored by the trust adopters place in us, reflected in glowing Yelp and Google reviews, and we’re only just getting started.

Our goals go beyond our own rescue: we aim to shift the animal welfare field itself—advocating for nonjudgmental conversations, educating the community about animal welfare topics such as vetting and training/animal behavior, and eliminating barriers deeply rooted in fear and/or bias, including racial prejudice in adoption and foster approvals. We believe rescue should feel accessible, supportive, and human—because when we do better for people, we do better for animals.

What a "day in the life" of an outreach manager will look like:

From your very first day as Outreach Manager, you’ll become the voice and connector of our mission—helping build bridges between our rescue, the community, and potential supporters. You’ll start by familiarizing yourself with our messaging platforms (Slack, Google Workspace), creative tools (Canva Pro), and project systems, and then hit the ground running with email and social media communications. Early days will include learning our tone, meeting our team, and understanding our goals.
As you settle in, your skills in public relations, social media engagement, and sales will come to life through managing campaigns, promoting events, responding to inquiries, and cultivating partnerships with donors and the public. You’ll juggle tasks, brainstorm creative outreach ideas, and represent AHOTO across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn—all while keeping a persuasive, mission-first voice.
Over time, you’ll become a key part of our growth by bringing energy, strategy, and heart into every connection you make. Passion for animal rescue drives everything here, and your role helps ensure that every animal’s story is not only told but heard.

 Qualifications & Experience Necessary:

-       Based in the United States

-       Available to respond to emails/messaging/inquiries within 24 hours

-       Willing to learn or current familiarity with certain tech tools/software helpful (i.e. PMS Systems, Slack, Canva Pro, Google Workspace, etc.)

-       Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

-       Experience in public relations and community outreach

-       Experience with social media engagement (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok, Twitter, LinkedIn)

-       Ability to manage projects and prioritize tasks

-       Sales experience and a persuasive attitude

-       Passion for animal welfare and rescue

-       Self-motivated and able to work independently

-       Experience in the non-profit sector is a plus

-       Knowledge of animal behavior and training is a plus

Our process/next steps:

Complete the brief form here:
https://forms.gle/r4EcYR27q8xAjeTw5

 Volunteer Perks

-       Lead a vital area of the organization and directly influence outcomes.

-       Collaborate closely with other managers and directors to shape rescue-wide systems and culture.

-       Grow leadership, operations, and project management skills in a mission-driven environment.

-       Be seen as a go-to expert and trusted leader within the rescue community.

-       Make high-impact decisions that save lives and strengthen community ties.

-       Receive support, mentoring, and recognition from both peers and the board.

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Capital Caring Health is a regional hospice, and we are seeking skilled and detail-oriented Sewers to create custom memory bears from sentimental clothing and textiles. These volunteers will be making bears from the clothing of our deceased patients. 

This role requires strong, advanced sewing skills, precision, and respect for the emotional significance of each item. The ideal candidate takes pride in craftsmanship, enjoys working independently, and understands the importance of accuracy and care when handling keepsake materials.

Key Responsibilities

Required Skills & Qualifications

A practice bear is required.  Advance sewing skills are REQUIRED.

Please submit your application by clicking here: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/b667fa15-36c0-48e6-af73-6bfcd12a1ec9/1

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Capital Caring Health is a regional hospice, and we are seeking skilled and detail-oriented Sewers to create custom memory bears from sentimental clothing and textiles. These volunteers will be making bears from the clothing of our deceased patients. 

This role requires strong, advanced sewing skills, precision, and respect for the emotional significance of each item. The ideal candidate takes pride in craftsmanship, enjoys working independently, and understands the importance of accuracy and care when handling keepsake materials.

Key Responsibilities

Required Skills & Qualifications

A practice bear is required.  Advance sewing skills are REQUIRED.

Please submit your application by clicking here: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/b667fa15-36c0-48e6-af73-6bfcd12a1ec9/1

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Capital Caring Health is a regional hospice, and we are seeking skilled and detail-oriented Sewers to create custom memory bears from sentimental clothing and textiles. These volunteers will be making bears from the clothing of our deceased patients. 

This role requires strong, advanced sewing skills, precision, and respect for the emotional significance of each item. The ideal candidate takes pride in craftsmanship, enjoys working independently, and understands the importance of accuracy and care when handling keepsake materials.

Key Responsibilities

Required Skills & Qualifications

A practice bear is required.  Advance sewing skills are REQUIRED.

Please submit your application by clicking here: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/b667fa15-36c0-48e6-af73-6bfcd12a1ec9/1

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

As a Meaningful Patient & Family Visit Volunteer, you provide emotional support, companionship, and a comforting presence to patients and their loved ones during their time in hospice care. Your role is centered on creating meaningful moments—whether through conversation, quiet companionship, or simply being present during times of need.

Responsibilities may include visiting with patients, engaging in light activities, offering a listening ear, supporting family members during visits, and helping foster a peaceful and respectful environment. Volunteers may also assist with legacy projects, such as memory sharing or letter writing, and provide gentle support during transitional moments.

This role is ideal for individuals who are compassionate, dependable, and comfortable offering support in emotionally sensitive situations. No specialized training is required—just a heart for service and a willingness to connect with others in meaningful ways. Volunteers often find deep fulfillment in knowing their presence brings comfort, dignity, and connection during life’s most tender moments.

Please submit your application by clicking here: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/b667fa15-36c0-48e6-af73-6bfcd12a1ec9/1

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Silver Spring Village sustains a robust neighbors-helping-neighbors network that supports older adults who wish to live as independently as possible and be fully engaged in their community as they age. Our service area includes zip codes 20910, 20901, 20815 east of Rock Creek Park part of 20902 (Wheaton) east and south of Wheaton Regional Park as well as Kemp Mill.

Through our Tech Coaching program, members of the Village receive one-to-one tutoring on technology devices. We are seeking Volunteers who will work with members to help them gain confidence in their use of technology. This role can be done either virtually or in person depending on what the member and coach decide. Along with the orientation/training that all volunteers receive, Tech Coaches receive a training specific to this activity.

Volunteering with Silver Spring Village is flexible, you can spend as much or as little time as your schedule permits. Village volunteers must undergo a criminal background screening and attend an orientation/training session before volunteering. For more information and to volunteer, please contact Vanessa Ripps at vanessa.ripps@silverspringvillage.org

As a Meaningful Patient & Family Visit Volunteer, you provide emotional support, companionship, and a comforting presence to patients and their loved ones during their time in hospice care. Your role is centered on creating meaningful moments—whether through conversation, quiet companionship, or simply being present during times of need.

Responsibilities may include visiting with patients, engaging in light activities, offering a listening ear, supporting family members during visits, and helping foster a peaceful and respectful environment. Volunteers may also assist with legacy projects, such as memory sharing or letter writing, and provide gentle support during transitional moments.

This role is ideal for individuals who are compassionate, dependable, and comfortable offering support in emotionally sensitive situations. No specialized training is required—just a heart for service and a willingness to connect with others in meaningful ways. Volunteers often find deep fulfillment in knowing their presence brings comfort, dignity, and connection during life’s most tender moments.

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Volunteer Roles (SSL-Compliant)

Volunteers with the Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community (EESNC) support children, youth, and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, as well as their families, through structured, supervised, and community-based activities.

All volunteer activities are conducted under the direct supervision of an EESNC staff member in public or designated program settings to ensure safety and compliance with SSL requirements.

All volunteer service is designed to be meaningful, structured, and developmentally supportive while maintaining full compliance with MCPS SSL guidelines.

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.

Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.

Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.

The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.

Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.

Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

As a Meaningful Patient & Family Visit Volunteer, you provide emotional support, companionship, and a comforting presence to patients and their loved ones during their time in hospice care. Your role is centered on creating meaningful moments—whether through conversation, quiet companionship, or simply being present during times of need.

Responsibilities may include visiting with patients, engaging in light activities, offering a listening ear, supporting family members during visits, and helping foster a peaceful and respectful environment. Volunteers may also assist with legacy projects, such as memory sharing or letter writing, and provide gentle support during transitional moments.

This role is ideal for individuals who are compassionate, dependable, and comfortable offering support in emotionally sensitive situations. No specialized training is required—just a heart for service and a willingness to connect with others in meaningful ways. Volunteers often find deep fulfillment in knowing their presence brings comfort, dignity, and connection during life’s most tender moments.

Please submit your application by clicking here: https://app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrganization/b667fa15-36c0-48e6-af73-6bfcd12a1ec9/1

Calling all heroes, wizards, and strategists! Our nonprofit is assembling its Fellowship of the Board, and we need a new party member. Your quest: help us level up our mission, slay the dragons of injustice, and unlock new achievements for our community. Whether your superpower is graphic design, marketing, or summoning epic ideas, we want you in our guild.

Perks include: epic teamwork, XP in leadership, and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve made the world just a little more awesome. Cloaks optional, enthusiasm required. Please review the responsibilities below, if you feel like you'd be a good fit, reach out!

Flying V is a performing arts organization that creates intersectional, niche-based art to provide spaces of belonging to artists and audiences. We share and interpret modern mythologies that affirm individuals’ unique identities and their relationship to the world. Our work and how we create it is rooted in care for, and accountability to, those same individuals.

Responsibilities of the Board As the highest leadership body of the organization and to satisfy its fiduciary duties, the board is responsible for

Responsibilities of Individual Board Members Each individual board member is expected to:

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Pro Bono Attorney for consultations with animal rescue and foster matters.

The Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County (AWLMC) is a 501(c)3, nonprofit, all volunteer no paid positions, NO Kill Cat Shelter!  We are in need of an experienced Grant Writer to assist us in researching and writing successful grants in support of our Cat Shelter. Your talents will directly support our mission of assisting any and all Cats and Kittens seeking their new FURR-Ever Home. Your work is vital to our organization,

Responsibilities:  (1) Work with our Grant Team in researching available grants from foundations, corporations and the Government (2) In coordination with the Grant Team develop potential clients (3) Help develop a tracking system on submitted grants (4) Work with the various AWLMC Teams for vital information necessary for a successful grant proposal

Qualifications: (1) Experience in grant writing preferred but not mandatory (2) Willing to work with a team

Location: This is a virtual volunteer opportunity with an occasional in person meeting if needed. Mostly meetings with your Grant Team will be via ZOOM to review work progress

If interested and looking to make a meaningful contribution, please forward an email via this website or to Ms. Wahl at stacey.wahlsw@gmail.com and we will call you and discuss the position.

Please note the hours indicated below are a required item for this site. When you call or email us we will talk about the actual time involved to meet your needs to include the ZOOM Meeting and virtual activities.

Our Food Bank supports Cats, Kittens and Dogs!  Are you a person looking for an opportunity to work with a non profit 501(C) 3 organization?   Are you looking for a great way to make new friends both human and feline, all sharing experiences and all for a good cause.   We are looking for a person who has time to assist our Chompers Food Bank with donations.  If this is of interest to you please visit our website, awlmc.org or all 301-740-2511.  We look forward to meeting and working with you.  Please go to our website  awlmc.org  click on the Volunteer Icon and select Volunteer Application.  Thank You

There are several really awesome YouTube sites that provide amazing videos answering science questions and talking about the wonders of the world around us. Science is Elemental, in its work to bring science to students who might not go seek it out also wants to support their teachers, seeks to join them. We are embarking on an effort to provide fun cool videos, geared toward elementary school teachers and their students, about the science that is part of our every day world, and in our daily environments. 

If you can bring a joy for learning, a sense of humor to add a joke or two, and a willingness to write your own and critique other storyboards as we prep to make videos, this is an opportunity for you. Requirements are an interest in science, and plain English, high-clarity writing. Video experience a plus but not required. 

While this is a virtual opportunity, there may be times when you can join in the actual video filming, although it is not a requirement that you do so. Even if you wish to be present to see your storyboard come to life, there is absolutely no requirement to be on camera. 

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Germantown HELP provides delivered emergency food to residents of Germantown. We are addressing the increasing need resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and are looking for more donations of food and funds to help our neighbors in need. 

Non-perishable food, including spaghetti sauce, cereal, canned tuna/meat, mac & cheese, and canned veggies, fruit, & soups.

See more on our website about how you can support us. 

Email info.gtownhelp@gmail.com to plan where and when to drop off donations. We also pick up!

Thanks for your help!

The JCA Heyman Interages® Center intergenerational programs have brought children and older adults together for more than 30 years.  Are you 50+? We are seeking volunteers for a number of opportunities including reading with children, in-classroom support, virtual tutoring in schools and with families, dialogues between the ages, book clubs, art, and music appreciation programming. More as well.  We have in person and virtual programs. 

For more information contact Indira Dingledine, Volunteer Manager at idingledine@accessjca.org Thank you!

The student representative will gain valuable insight and experience related to areas of nonprofit organizations, nonprofit boards and governance, leadership, and community involvement. The student representative will participate in quarterly board meetings as well as develop a project or program independently with guidance from FOLMC administration.

The student representative position is approved for Student Service Learning hours. The position is for a two-year term to begin in August and is open to students who will enter their junior year of high school in the fall of 2026.

Qualified applicants must be Montgomery County Residents and attending a high school located in Montgomery County. Interested students should apply online and must submit two letters of recommendation. For more information on the position and application process visit http://www.folmc.org/get-involved/student-representative/.

All applications must be received by March 31, 2026. Applicants must be entering 11th grade by fall of 2026.

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Travel Unity welcomes volunteers who want to support our work making travel more welcoming to people of all backgrounds and identities.

Volunteers contribute in different ways depending on their interests and skills, including research, outreach, storytelling, events, partnerships, and workforce development initiatives.

As an initial step, new volunteers complete a short project to demonstrate engagement. Volunteers can choose between two options:

Spotlight – Interview a travel industry professional and write a short profile about their work and career path.

Case Study – Research and document an organization’s work in the travel industry.

Those interested in volunteering should first complete the Travel Unity volunteer application:
https://bit.ly/TUvolunteerapp

After submitting the application, we will follow up with next steps.

Hello! The Washington English Center (WEC), a DC-based nonprofit organization, is looking for volunteers to co-teach, substitute teach, or tutor ESOL to adult immigrants and refugees this Spring! WEC serves several hundred adult language learners each term from over 80 different countries.Check out this video featuring students from around the world sharing their thoughts about their teachers.

Join our community of over 400 volunteers to teach online and/or in person in downtown DC! As a WEC volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with diverse cultures, attend free teacher training, and connect with others at in-person and online volunteer socials throughout the term. No prior teaching experience is required! You’ll be paired with a co-teacher and receive ongoing training and support from our staff.

ESOL group classes start April 13th and run through June 26th, 2026. Our one-on-one tutoring sessions happen on a rolling basis and have flexible start and end dates. Please note, if you are interested in co-teaching we ask that you sign up by March 27th to receive a placement or waitlist information on April 1st.

We also have the opportunity to substitute teach, which does not require a once a week 1-3 hour commitment, and provides volunteers with the flexibility to get involved at their own convenience. We are happy to work with your schedule and accept volunteers throughout the year! Volunteers must be 18 years of age and a fluent English speaker to participate. We also welcome non-native English speakers and encourage them to volunteer, in fact, we have many volunteers who are former or are current students teaching at lower levels. At WEC, we value the multilingual skills student-volunteers bring to our classrooms! 

If interested in reading more about volunteer roles, descriptions, and responsibilities, please check out our volunteer flier or watch our short 7-minute WEC Informational video that provides an overview of all our programs. To sign up, please do so on our Spring 2026 Volunteer Form. 

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Program Description

The Financial Empowerment Program (FEP) provides low-income individuals and families with the opportunity to work one-on-one or in group settings with trained volunteers, either as Financial Empowerment Educators or Financial Coaches.

Both roles focus on empowering clients to make informed financial decisions and progress toward self-identified goals.

Responsibilities:The primary role of both Educators and Coaches is to provide structure, guidance, encouragement, and access to resources, not to make decisions for clients or provide investment advice.

Financial Educators support clients in:

Financial Coaches support clients in:

Skills & Qualifications

Successful volunteers are:

While experience in budgeting, financial planning, or teaching is helpful, formal financial credentials are not required. Equal importance is placed on cultural humility, adaptability, and a client-centered approach. The most effective volunteers are resourceful, curious, and comfortable navigating new challenges.

Time Commitment

Volunteers commit to approximately a minimum of 30 hours over one year, including required training.

Dress Code

The dress code is casual at minimum, with business casual preferred. Please avoid streetwear or attire intended for sleep, exercise, swimming, or nightlife. Clothing should be clean, professional, and appropriate for a community-based service setting.

PLE Youth Program is looking for youth teachers (Grade 6-12) to help students (at least two years younger) for all subjects.

If you are interested in applying for the job, please fill out the following form:

https://forms.gle/JB5PGK8bfL8J1c4x8

We will contact you shortly

Look forward to working with you!

PLE Youth Program Team

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

Regarding how we will track and verify SSL hours:

--- Students will track their volunteer hours by making a copy of the following template. The document must be titled following the template - (ex: “John Smith_2021-2022 Time Collection”). On the first row list your full name. On the second row, please state if you are applying for the PVSA award.

--- After each class, document the date, the duration and the preparation time of the class. The default total class preparation time is the same as the duration of the class. (Ex. If your class is 40 minutes long, you enter 40 minutes for the class preparation). 

--- If your preparation time is more than the default time, PLE and all its staff reserve the right to view your lesson plans. After reviewing all materials you created in preparation and a possible interview, we determine if the preparation time logged is appropriate or if it should be adjusted based on length, amount, and quality of material. We generally do not award more than 2 hours of preparation time. You will retain copyright over your plans. 

--- Any orientation, training and meeting times will also be counted toward your volunteer time. Please enter the event name, date, and duration. Please be aware preparation time is not applicable to this circumstance (ex: New faculty online orientation, 4/21/2010, 1 hour). 

--- We will send certificates of verified volunteer hours and complete volunteer forms (SSL, NHS, etc.) upon request. 

--- All other forms of volunteering (eg. advertisement, management, newsletter writing, general curriculum development) will be tracked on an hour-for-hour basis the amount of time served when supervised. If items are completed without live supervision, they are reviewed on a case by case basis. Most curriculum development, newsletters, and proposals written will be awarded 1-2 hours, based on length and quality.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home until schools resume normal status.

We need bilingual volunteers to call back people needing help who only speak Spanish. For liability reasons, this opportunity is for volunteers aged 18 and over, and does not qualify for MCPS SSL hours.  

This is an occasional support role and does not require a serious time commitment. We have a volunteer assigned every day ("officer of the day" -  OD) to check our phone messages and call people back. Most of the messages are in English, but if there is a message in Spanish and the OD does not speak Spanish, they would send you an email or text with the time of call and phone number, and leave the message on our answering system for you. When you have the time - in the evening, or the next day - you would listen to the message and call the person back to find out what they need, and set them up for a food delivery from our food driver if they're in our area. It's understood that there are days you would not be available. 

What you need: your own phone*, a good command of both English and Spanish, and a few hours per month.

For liability reasons, this opportunity is for volunteers aged 18 and over, and cannot be used for MCPS Student Service Learning hours.

*We protect our privacy when calling clients by dialing *67 first.

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Small Things Matter's Kokua Foods Program helps address food insecurity in our community.  

We are looking for volunteers to help us make cookies and other baked treats to share with food insecure families in our community that we serve. These baked treats are a nice way to provide a fun snack to go along with the other foods that we are providing for these families.  We would love to have individuals and groups supporting this effort.

Middle school and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by making baked goods until schools return to normal status.  20 cookies (2.5"-3" in diameter) or 20 regular size cupcakes or 1 baked dessert loaf (use an 8.5" X 4.5" X 2.5" pan) = 1 hour of service  (Please note that mini cookies, cupcakes, or breads will not count and that we are no longer looking for regular bread as we are now getting donations of sandwich & loaf bread from a local bakery.)

Instructions (Please note that your work must be submitted via a Google form): 

NOTE: Items should be baked fresh the day before.  Please do not make cookies ahead of time and refrigerate or freeze them.

-Please take photo of them being made and a group photo of the baked items once you've finished. 

-Cookies and muffins should be put into Ziplock bags in batches of 4 and loaves should be wrapped tightly in either Saran Wrap or a gallon size Ziplock bag. Please label them and note if nuts are present.  

-Make a log by writing down the number items made, and have your parent initial it. 

-Submit all your work (photos, signed log, etc.) via the google form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSediZ90q8kB_AIIAK702rGYlGTPnq5z29zoFKiSbcggxaHDrg/viewform?usp=sf_link

In order to receive SSL credit, you must submit both a photo of all of the baked items and your log of the amounts of the items.  Please submit your work via the form only once.  

Once your donations and your google form is received you will get an email with the SSL hours you've earned. You will need to fill in sections 1 and 3 of you SSL form and turn in both this and the email to your school's SSL coordinator.  They will then credit your hours. 

Baked goods donations can be dropped off at the Bedford Station Apartments (1400 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, MD 20783) on the first and third Fridays of each month from 7:30am-8:30am.  To drop off please bring your baked goods in a box to the main office and leave it by the fence.  Please note: You cannot bring your donations to Bedford Station Apartments any other day or time than stated above.  It is a distribution site, not our office.  Thanks!

We are also able to accept baked goods at the TPSS Coop (201 Ethan Allen Ave, Takoma Park MD 20912) on ALL Friday mornings from 7:30-8:30am, but please let us know what dates and the amounts you are going to be donating by emailing us at thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com at least 3 days in advance.  Please note that if the weather is bad (rain/snow) you must contact us the day before so that we can give you an alternative drop off location.  Please drop off your baked goods behind the TPSS Coop building on Columbia Avenue to one of our members (not inside to a TPSS Coop employee). We will be packing produce outside.  Thanks!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please read the guidelines here:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you have questions.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Please note: due to the overwhelming interest in this project there is a limit of 50 bookmarks per school year. 

Please check out our other opportunities including coming out to pack produce for the families in need that we serve.  Thanks!

Small Things Matter's Crafting for Charity Program helps those in need with handmade items.  We are looking for volunteers to help us decorate bookmarks as part of our literacy program for underserved children.  We provide them with a choice of a brand new book and they also get to pick a handmade bookmark of their choice.  Encouraging a lifelong love of reading can help these children succeed in school and in life. We would love to have individuals and groups help us by decorating bookmarks.

Middle school and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by decorating bookmarks.

5 decorated bookmarks = 1 SSL hour of service.

Limit of 50 bookmarks.

Instructions:

NOTE: Please make 1 bookmark and send it for approval via email to thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com before making the rest. We want to ensure that each bookmark is made with care!  Only decorate the front of the bookmark blank.  We will be adding our logo to the back.  Please do not submit them via our google form.  (Please see the sample photo above of actual bookmarks made by students.)

-Purchase bookmarks from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Gionello-Blank-Cardstock-Bookmarks-Pre-Punched/dp/B0DK488PQC/.  Please note that you can also make your own bookmark blanks by purchasing cardstock and cutting them using a paper cutter to 6" x 2.5".  If you choose to make your own blanks make sure that they are cut well and look professional. Do not punch holes at the top of the bookmarks if you are making them.

-Please document your bookmark decorating by taking an action shot photo of them being made and a group shot of the finished items once you've finished decorating them!

-Decorate the bookmarks either by using markers, paints, etc.  Please do not glue any 3-D items or use stickers/washi tape. Please do not include anything religious in either written words or pictures.  Do NOT sign the bookmarks with your name, etc. Take a group shot of the finished items.

-Make a log by write down the number of bookmarks made, and have your parent date and initial it.

-Submit your photos and log  via this google form AFTER you have delivered the bookmarks and sent an email to thesmallthingsmatter saying where you delivered them to:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSediZ90q8kB_AIIAK702rGYlGTPnq5z29zoFKiSbcggxaHDrg/viewform?usp=sf_link

In order to receive SSL credit, you must submit both a photo of the bookmarks you decorated and your log of the amounts of the items.  Please submit your work via the form only once.  I will be sending out emails with your SSL form each Sunday.  Please be patient. 

DROPOFF Completed bookmarks can be dropped off on any day (Monday-Sunday) at Small Things Matter, 14516 Bauer Drive, Rockville, MD 20853 from 6am-6pm.  Please leave your items on our front porch. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

•              Do I need to sign up?  Send in 1 bookmark for approval.  This bookmark should be reflective of the type of bookmark you will be making.  If you get something approved it is expected that the remaining bookmarks will be of similar quality.

•              Is there a limit to how many I make?  50 bookmarks

•              Is this approved for MCPS SSL hours - YES.

•              How will I receive my SSL hours?  You will receive your SSL form via email once your service is complete and you have submitted your log and photos via the Google form.

•              We are helping over 2000 families in Montgomery County by providing food assistance and are very busy so and trying to limit emails about this opportunity. Thanks for understanding!!!  Please do not call me.

Please read the guidelines here: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx   Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you would like to help.

Thanks! Small Things Matter www.smallthingsmatter.org

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Gaithersburg HELP is a dedicated, all-volunteer organization that provides essential support to local communities. We are seeking a volunteer to assist our technical needs. If you live in the Gaithersburg or Montgomery Village (MD) areas and are interested in helping our communities, please contact us.

This is an on-demand opportunity involving technical tasks with systems and applications we currently use for our daily operation. It would ideally suit someone with experience or interest in the following areas:

Microsoft Excel (including formulas and VBA)

Please note: While we understand that not every candidate will have expertise in all these areas, we highly value those who have technical and programming skills and are willing to learn.

Our goal is to find a volunteer who has technical knowledge and is responsive with good communication skills. Your support in this capacity would significantly contribute to the success of our programs and have a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.

How to reach us directly:

Apply Online: https://www.gaithersburghelp.org/give-help/volunteer-application/

Call: Volunteer Coordinator at 301-216-2510 Box 6

Email: volcoord@gaithersburghelp.org

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

About Arise and Flourish, Inc.

Arise and Flourish, Inc. is a nonprofit organization registered in Maryland and Virginia, dedicated to preventing substance use and misuse among middle and high school students. For over 12 years, we have partnered with public and private school systems across Maryland and Virginia, reaching more than 49,000 students in nearly 400 schools.

Our Substance Use and Misuse Prevention Program is a powerful, classroom-based educational experience that combines personal storytelling from individuals in recovery with interactive instruction on the Cycle of Addiction. By presenting addiction as a disease and addressing the underlying causes of substance use, we work to reduce stigma, promote early intervention, and empower students to make healthier choices.

Position Summary

Arise and Flourish is seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Volunteer Grant Writer to support our mission by identifying funding opportunities and preparing compelling grant proposals. This role is ideal for someone who wants to use their writing skills to make a meaningful impact on youth substance use and misuse prevention and education.

The Volunteer Grant Writer will work closely with the President/Vice President, Program Manager, and Board Members to help secure funding that sustains and expands our school-based prevention programs.

Key Responsibilities

Qualifications

What We Provide

Why Volunteer With Us

Your work will help ensure that thousands of students continue to receive honest, impactful education about addiction - education that saves lives, reduces stigma, and promotes hope and recovery. Grant funding plays a critical role in sustaining and expanding this mission.

How to Apply

Interested volunteers may contact us at info@ariseandflourish.org with a brief introduction and relevant experience.

Gaithersburg HELP is a dedicated, all-volunteer organization that provides essential support to local communities. Many of our clients are Spanish-speaking, and we need bilingual volunteers to help them access the services they need. If you’re fluent in English and Spanish and want to help, we’d love to have you on our team!

As a volunteer, you will:

Your fluency in English and Spanish can truly make a difference in someone's life.

PLEASE NOTE: While this is a remote volunteer opportunity, we prefer candidates who live in our service area, Gaithersburg and Montgomery Village, Maryland.

You can reach us directly:

Call: Volunteer Coordinator at 301-216-2510 Box 6

Email: volcoord@gaithersburghelp.org

Apply Online: https://www.gaithersburghelp.org/give-help/volunteer-application/

Please complete and submit the volunteer form below, including the ACTUAL signatures of BOTH the student and parents (if under the age of 18 parent signature is also required). Completion of this form, including the ACTUAL required signatures, is required by all volunteers to participate in this SSL opportunity.

Please do not use your MCPS email to respond with us as we cannot not reply to you via this type of email address.

This is an amazing opportunity to gain volunteer experience helping Arise and Flourish, a non-profit organization based in Montgomery County, Maryland that speaks to students about substance use and misuse.  During the last twelve years, Arise and Flourish has paved the way through public and private schools on educating our youth of the dangers associated with addiction. Our program delivers a robust and real-life look into the cycle of addiction and provides an understanding, knowledge and insight on how to exercise prevention. Arise and Flourish’s family of dedicated volunteers have delivered our program to nearly 400 schools and have reached over 49,000 students with our impactful message of prevention and hope. In addition to our visits to schools, we are also asking for the student’s assistance to continue the education of addiction and prevention through SSL hours. 

What students will do:

Student will first need to complete the volunteer form/parent/guardian permission slip and submit via to e-mail info@ariseandflourish.org. Please note that MCPS has not vetted the YouTube videos created by our organization and parents/guardians are responsible for previewing the videos and then providing parent permission for their students to view the videos.

Once approved, students will watch two video presentations provided by our organization. 

Students can obtain SSL hours in two ways:

How to earn community service hours (SSL):

Students have the ability to earn 1 SSL hour for the quality completion of this project and can earn up to 4 SSL hours in total (cumulative - not per year) for each speaker video watched and paper written (up to 4 speaker videos along with the one video for the cycle of addiction).

When your paper or art project is complete, e-mail info@ariseandflourish.org your 2-page paper or an electronic copy of your art project and paragraph to collect your signed SSL sheet for this project. Students will need to cc their parents as well on the email submission. Please allow 3-5 business days to receive your signed SSL form.

Privacy:

Please, do not share any pictures or likeness of the students as well as personal information such as home address, email or phone number etc. in your paper or artwork. Also, please do not include any real-life pictures or images of yourself. We ask that students include their first name, grade and school only on each submission.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home until schools resume normal status.

Volunteer Registration Form (Parent/Guardian Permission Slip)

 Please complete this form as accurately as possible. Completion of this form is required by all volunteers.

* This form is not completed without both YOURS and YOUR PARENTS or GUARDIAN SIGNATURE. 

VOLUNTEER LEGAL NAME: _____________________________________________

VOLUNTEER SIGNATURE: ______________________________________________

SCHOOL NAME: _____________________________________________________

VOLUNTEER EMAIL ADDRESS: __________________________________________

AGE: _________ DATE OF REGISTRATION: ________________________________

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME: ____________________________________________

PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE (If Volunteer is under 18 years): ___________________________________________________________________

DATE: ________ EMAIL: _______________________________________________

ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________

PHONE: ____________________________________________________________ 

Contact Us at Arise and Flourish Email: info@ariseandflourish.org

Website: http://www.ariseandflourish.org/

Privacy:

Student volunteer participation is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This volunteer activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Looking for experienced character designer, visual storytellers, graphic designer creating children's expressive and relatable characters in books.

Urdu background will be appreciated.

Urgently needing volunteer for making presentations for a curriculum.

The Reading Express opens the door for imagination and endless possibilities.  Make a video of a children's book.  Show the book, page by page, as you read it for a child.  Please check with the Chief Intern for pre-approval of the book.  These videos, upon approval, will be placed on a playlist that will be sent through QR codes on Tacy Foundation business card gifts to Children's National Hospital patients, Fisher Houses nationwide, and to Red Cross stations where children and their families are impacted by challenges of fires, floods, and other hardships.  

Please join us by reading stories on a YouTube video.  Choose stories that are not copyrighted on or by writing and illustrating one of your own picture books.

Enroll first in the Foundation on the website: www.tacyfoundation.org.  

SSL Hours for this project are determined by MCPS-SSL Department and Tacy Foundation.

1 hour of SSL Credit per video of a children's book.

For Chapter books, MCPS and Tacy Foundation will pre-approve the credit hours based on the length and time making the video.

Thank you for helping others through your efforts to reach out and touch their lives!

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

We are seeking knitters to create charming hearts to be included in our starter kits. This is a wonderful way to contribute to our mission right from your home!

Project Details:

Questions? Please email us at instruction@knitwell.org.

Once your hearts are complete, please follow the steps below to ensure they reach us safely and can be included in the kits:

Shipping Instructions

Your contribution is deeply appreciated and brings warmth to those receiving our starter kits!

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Small Things Matter helps food insecurity families in our community.  

Join our 2024 Backpacks and school supplies drive!

We are looking for volunteers to help us purchase backpacks and school supplies to help children in elementary school prepare for the upcoming school year.  We will also help support these students by including an inspirational message to get their school year off to a good start.  We would love to have everyone's support for this effort.

Each backpack + school supplies + inspirational note for the student) = 2 community service hours

We will award 2 hours of community service for each backpack which can be used towards:

Instructions:

Choose to pack either for a grade K-3rd or 4th & 5th

for grades K-3:

1) 1 brand new 17"-20" backpack
2) 1 box of crayons
3) 1 box of pencils (12 or more)
4) 2 composition notebook
5) 2 gluesticks
6) 1 scissors
7) 1 headphones (not earbuds) (Five Below)
8) 1 inspirational note preferably on an index card (use nonlined side) for the student*

*place the note in the front pouch of the backpack

for grades 4th & 5th:
1) 1 brand new 17"-20" backpack 
2) 1 box of colored pencils
3) 1 box of pencils (12 or more)
4) 2 composition notebooks
5) 2 gluesticks
6) 1 pack of wide-ruled folder paper
7) 1 3-ring binder (2" wide please)
8) 1 inspirational note preferably on an index card (use nonlined side) for the student*

Please submit both a photo of all of the backpacks and your log of the amounts of the items via the google form below. To make the log write your name, the number of kits, and sign it.

Drop off your donations at

Please place all of your items in a garbage bag labelled with the number of backpack kits and the grades.  Please put all of the same types of backpacks together so that all grade K-3 are together and grades 4-5 are together.  There will be hundreds of backpacks donated and sorting them for us will help us greatly. Contact me at thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

Once you submit your donations and your google form please email me and I will send you a letter of your donation.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please read the guidelines here:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you would like to help a child in need.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

Small Things Matter's helps those in need by providing them with food, literacy, and general support.

We are looking for volunteers to help us put together cleaning care kits to share with the those in need in our community. 

Cleaning and disinfecting one's home is always a good practice and this is even more important in homes where a family member has coronavirus.  In some of the apartments we serve half of the residents there have at least 1 member of their household who has COVID-19.  We would love to have individuals and groups helping us put together these cleaning kits.

We would love to have individuals and groups supporting this effort.

We will award 1 hour of community service for each kit which can be used towards:

1 cleaning care kit = 1 community service hour

All items can be purchased inexpensively from the Dollar Store/Dollar Tree.

Each kit must contain 4 of 6 items listed below (each item in the kit must be different/ no duplicates):

PLUS 2 sponges or a roll of paper towels

AND a kind note

All items must be placed in double bagged plastic bags and placed inside a paper box so that boxes can be stacked on top of one another.

Instructions: 

-Please document your work by taking an action shot photo of them being assembled and a group shot of the finished package once you've finished 

-Purchase the cleaning supplies and make a nice handmade note

-Place the items in a clean plastic bag (please double bag) making sure that all the items are standing upright to avoid spilling.

-Make a log by writing down the number of kits made, along with your name and date and have your parent initial it

-Submit the log and your photos, etc via the link below

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSefU6lhr176FWyDzQl0AAWgbxTEs8Eqa37vOzAoJwmyUw9D8w/viewform?usp=sf_link

Once your donations and your google form is received you will get an email with a letter detailing the number of community service hours you've earned. 

DROPOFF

Cleaning kits can be dropped off at 14516 Bauer Drive, Rockville, MD 20853 

Please contact me at thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com prior to dropping off. Thanks!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) with any questions.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

We are looking for volunteers to create greeting cards (or write notes in store-bought cars) for people who need support or an uplifting message. Anyone can do it from home! We work regularly with hospitals, assisted living facilities, military organizations and others. This is a great opportunity for school, church or work groups.

Go to abrightspot.org for all the details.

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours. See guidelines for agencies on how opportunities may be considered for SSL

Wondering how to help newcomers resettling in our area? KindWorks offers the following opportunities:

Get involved with our Home Setups, KindWelcomeMeals, or other KindExtras (link for more info)

lend your HR experience or expertise by helping with crafting better resumes, honing interviewing skills or be part of our growing network of people who can share expertise and/or their contacts (email Mhrangiz.Azami@DoKindWorks.org to help)

Help teach conversational English classes, both in person and online (email Mhrangiz.Azami@DoKindWorks.org to help)

PLEASE RESPOND DIRECTLY THROUGH THE LINKS ABOVE AND NOT VIA THE BLUE RESPOND BUTTON!

For more information about KindWorks and its current opportunities, go here. 

Virtual Event Volunteer As a virtual event volunteer, you will collaborate with our team

to plan and support a virtual event designed to meet a community need. Examples of events may include an art night, game night, or other creative programming that fosters connection and engagement.

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.

Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.

Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.

The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.

Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.

Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

Reach’s Senior Reach Program is currently seeking English and bilingual “Friendly Caller” volunteers, including Mandarin/English speakers, to make weekly phone calls to one or more senior clients. Provide a caring voice, check on their well-being, and to confirm they received and are pleased with their scheduled home care services. Skills required include patience in speaking with senior citizens and the ability to complete and email reports to the director. Volunteers and senior clients choose the standard weekly day and time that phone calls will occur. 

We are also seeking "Friendly Visitor" volunteers who will visit senior clients monthly or bimonthly for conversation, activities, or other social interaction. A criminal background check is required.   

LOP volunteers serve as teacher's assistants to help English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers with large classes. We offer in-person and virtual classes. Assist individual students and student groups by leading activities, reviewing assignments, and more. Training is provided. Must be 18+ years old. Requires a background check. This is a virtual opportunity that may become an in-person opportunity during the fall semester.

We ask volunteers to serve most or all of a full session. Long sessions are Spring (March - June) and Fall (September - December). Shorter sessions with less need in Winter (January - February) and Summer (July - August). Classes are mostly two evenings each week for two hours per class period. Volunteer the same class period each week or for both class periods. 

Our Officers of the Day are the first to make contact with people calling for help. They work from home, using their phones. They call our voicemail system, retrieve the messages, and call people back.  (Most of our ODs protect their privacy by using *67 for these calls.) If the person requesting food assistance is in our service area, they get the information needed and pass it on to the Food Driver on duty. Financial assistace calls are passed on to the financial assistance officer (when we have the funds).  If the person is outside of our area or is requesting something we are not able to do, they refer people to other groups that might be able to help.

ODs are scheduled for the day, but they do not have to be available the whole day - they can check messages and call people back when they have the time. Messages that an OD is unable to get to are left on the voicemail system and handled by the following day's OD. Some ODs take one day a month, while others take several, depending on their availability.

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours

KindSoup

This is a great opportunity for individuals, families, and groups to join us virtually from the comfort of their kitchens.

We come together on Mondays from 5pm to 6pm via Zoom. We focus on delicious, healthy, and hearty soup and stew recipes to share with our families and community members. Soup is then donated to local food assistance providers to store in freezers. By doing so, we help to fill the critical need for food security in our community.

Sign on to our KindSoup Zoom space (Mondays at 5:00 pm ET), and our guest chef will lead us in cooking a yummy soup or stew together.

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

We are a small nonprofit seeking to expand our Board of Directors with people who share our commitment to assist low-income scholarship applicants.  We provide college education/workforce development training scholarship funds for individuals who reside in subsidized rental housing in Montgomery County, Maryland.  They are graduating high school seniors and other adults of all ages. See more information about The Bernie Scholarship Awards Program on our website at  www.berniescholarships.org.

We seek new enthusiastic Board members who have fundraising skills to help us grow our program to increase the number of award recipients and the award amount.  Would you like to connect with Montgomery County BUSINESSES and/or BANKS to encourage supporting our Montgomery County community?  You could increase our visibility!

Might you like to help with GRANTS?  Maybe you would enjoy researching foundations and grant applications that share our commitment to help determined low-income individuals attend college or workforce development trainings to gain skills and achieve higher level employment! 

With a short time commitment to monthly meetings, you could make a tremendous difference in the lives of graduating high school seniors and other adults (single parents, adult children, etc.) who are determined to gain higher academic goals and achieve self-sufficiency for themselves, their children and future generations.  Join our passionate group of Board members dedicated to supporting our mission!

MUM serves individuals and families in crisis in the Silver Spring, Wheaton, Kensington, Takoma Park, Rockville and Aspen Hill communities, specifically residents within the following zipcodes of Montgomery County (20853, 20895, 20896, 20901, 20902, 20906, 20910, and 20912). MUM provides food assistance as well as financial assistance for eviction prevention, utility shut-off prevention/restoration and prescription medications.

MUM needs volunteers to help with various tasks such as data entry/analysis, administrative support, food drives, fundraising, IT support, communications, social media and other tasks.  Timing and time commitment is flexible and some work can be done remotely. 

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

We are looking for high schoolers to join our team of dedicated tutors! Tutors can work with students in subjects of their choice. See 'What Volunteers Do' on our profile or visit our website at https://www.steppingstonetutoring.org/ for more details.

Please read the following requirements:

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Love marketing and making a difference? Join us to showcase our amazing programs and help connect our community to the heart of early childhood education! Assist with social media, newsletters, event promotion, and creative campaigns that highlight the joy and growth of our students.

Use your skills to engage families, celebrate our teachers, and spread the word about everything happening at Friendship Children’s Center. Make an impact, build your portfolio, and support children while doing work that matters!

Bring your creativity and energy—help us shine!

Calling All Grant Gurus!

Help Friendship Children’s Center grow by finding and securing funding to support our programs for young children! As a volunteer, you’ll research grant opportunities, draft compelling proposals, and support applications that make a real difference in our students’ lives.

Gain valuable experience in nonprofit development, writing, and research, all while helping expand resources for our program and school community.

Use your skills to make an impact—join our grant team today!

We are looking for a volunteer to help with post-adoption follow-up calls. These calls ensure our adopted cats and dogs are adjusting well in their new homes and give families a chance to ask questions or share updates.

When: Flexible (calls can be made from home) 

Where: Remote opportunity  

This is a wonderful way to stay connected with our mission and help make sure every animal thrives in their forever home.

We are seeking a talented and detail-oriented volunteer to help write grants for our animal foster foundation. Your work will help secure funding to support foster care, medical care, and adoption programs for cats, dogs, and other animals in need.

When: Flexible, project-based

Where: Remote   

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

This is a rewarding opportunity for anyone with strong writing skills who wants to make a real impact in helping animals find loving homes.

Join us for a virtual KindSoup making session where YOU get to lead the way! This is your chance to show off your cooking skills, connect with others, and make a difference - all from your own kitchen. 

Note: Students are required to join at least one session before leading one on their own. Join a scheduled KindSoup session for a refresher.

Plan and prepare for the session in advance 

Submit remote evidence via email showing you’ve:

Lead Live KindSoup Making Session

During the session, you will:

Students may earn SSL hours at the following rate:

Note: An adult KindWorks representative will supervise and host the Zoom session for the entire time.

Please note the following guidelines for student service through live virtual platforms:

A student’s parent/guardian must provide the nonprofit with written approval of the student’s participation in the virtual platform prior to the student serving/volunteering.

Students must use personal/private accounts (not MCPS student accounts) to engage in the virtual platform.

Students will only engage with others under the direct supervision of a nonprofit supervisor. The nonprofit supervisor will be directly present in the virtual space (including any breakout sessions) at all times.

The nonprofit supervisor will initiate and host all virtual sessions. If the nonprofit supervisor is not available to initiate and host the virtual session, the session will not occur.

Virtual sessions will not be recorded.

Students should not share or upload any videos, pictures, or images of themselves, unless the nonprofit organization has obtained a signed form/waiver from the student’s parent/guardian authorizing permission/release.

Students’ email addresses/home addresses or any personally identifying information will remain protected and not shared.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.

Small Things Matter's Kokua Foods Program helps address food insecurity in our community.  

We are looking for volunteers to help us make sandwiches (peanut butter and jelly, ham, turkey, etc) to share with the families we serve in our community in Takoma Park and Silver Spring.  The pandemic brought about by COVID-19 have made these families even more vulnerable than before and they need some additional food support.  A sandwich is a small way that we can bridge the distance between us and them and help them with their food insecurity.  We would love to have individuals and groups supporting this effort.

Middle school and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by making sandwiches until schools return to normal status.  10 sandwiches= 1 hour of service

Note:  Sandwiches should be made the day before.  Please do not make them in advance because they won't be at their best. The sandwiches should be made so that they are ready to eat.  Please add mayonnaise and mustard to the sandwiches with meat in them.  Cheese is welcome too.  There is a high demand for TURKEY sandwiches.  :)

Please note that if you are making more than 20 sandwiches that you should be making different types of sandwiches so that they are not all PB&J.

If you plan to make more than 60 sandwiches you must reach out to me to get my approval.  Please let me know how many sandwiches you are making and how many of each type.  

Instructions (Please note that your work must be submitted via a Google form):

-Please document your sandwich making by taking an action shot photo of them being made and a group shot of the bagged sandwiches once you've finished making them

-Make a log by writing down the date(s), the number of sandwiches made, and have your parent initial it and take a photo of it

-Make sandwiches and wrap each on individually using either wax paper or sandwich bags (no foil please)

-Use the bread bag to package them and label the outside of the bag with the type of sandwiches made.  

-Submit your photos, etc via the google form. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSediZ90q8kB_AIIAK702rGYlGTPnq5z29zoFKiSbcggxaHDrg/viewform?usp=sf_link

In order to receive SSL credit, you must submit both a photo of all of the sandwiches you made and your log of the amounts of the items initialed by your parent.  Please submit your work via the form only once.  

Once your donations and your google form is received you will get an email with the SSL hours you've earned. You will need to fill in sections 1 and 3 of you SSL form and turn in both this and the email to your school's SSL coordinator.  They will then credit your hours. 

DROPOFF

Sandwich donations can be dropped off at the Bedford Station Apartments (1400 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, MD 20783) on the first and third Fridays of each month from 7:30am-8:30am.  To drop off please bring your sandwiches in a box to the main office and leave it by the fence.  Please note: You cannot bring your donations to Bedford Station Apartments any other day or time than stated above.  It is a distribution site, not our office.  Thanks!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please read the guidelines here:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

Small Things Matter's Kokua Foods Program helps address food insecurity in our community.  

We are looking for volunteers to help us make frozen casseroles to share with food insecure families and individuals in our community.  The pandemic brought about by COVID-19 have made food insecure families even more vulnerable than before and they need some additional food support.  A casserole is a nice way to provide a hot meal for these families.  We would love to have individuals and groups supporting this effort.

Middle school and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by making casseroles until schools return to normal status.  1 casserole= 1 hour of service

Instructions (Please note that your work must be submitted via a Google form):

Favorite casseroles include: tuna casseroles, chili, mac and cheese, baked ziti, and chicken noodle, but all casseroles are loved!

-Please taking a photo of the casserole(s) being made and a photo of the completed casseroles

-Please use a disposable aluminum pans 9 x 13 for your dish.

-Please cook your casserole prior to freezing it.

-Please label each casserole with the name and the ingredients (for example: Chicken and Cheese Casserole: chicken,pasta, olive oil, onion, mushrooms, bread crumbs, butter, cheese). 

-Please wrap them well with aluminum foil. Please do not use the plastic cover that comes with some pans.

-Please write down the date, the number of casseroles made, and have your parent initial it and take a photo of it.

-Submit all your work (photos, signed log, etc.) via the google form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSediZ90q8kB_AIIAK702rGYlGTPnq5z29zoFKiSbcggxaHDrg/viewform?usp=sf_link

In order to receive SSL credit, you must submit both a photo of all of the baked items and your log of the amounts of the items.  Please submit your work via the form only once.  I will be sending out emails with your SSL form each weekend.  Please be patient.  

DROPOFF:

Casserole donations can be dropped off at the Bedford Station Apartments (1400 University Blvd E, Hyattsville, MD 20783) on the first and third Fridays of each month from 7:30am-8:30am.  To drop off please bring your casseroles in a box to the main office and leave it by the fence.  Please note: You cannot bring your donations to Bedford Station Apartments any other day or time than stated above.  It is a distribution site, not our office.  Thanks!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

Please read the guidelines here:

https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx

Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you have any questions.

Thanks!

Small Things Matter

www.smallthingsmatter.org

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home. 

We’re looking for caring and committed individuals to join our team! As a volunteer or board member, you’ll play an essential role in helping us fight hunger and support families in need. Whether you’re packing and distributing food, assisting with community events, or shaping our social media presence, your time and effort will directly impact the lives of our neighbors.