Opportunities From: Montgomery County Volunteer Center

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.

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.

CHARM is looking for a volunteer Treasurer to join our Board of Directors!

If you’re detail-oriented, organized, and passionate about animal rescue, this is a wonderful way to make a meaningful impact behind the scenes of a 100% volunteer-run, Maryland-based, animal rescue. CHARM Rescue is on track to find forever homes for more than 500 dogs and cats in 2025.

Our Treasurer helps keep CHARM’s mission running smoothly by:
     * Maintaining accurate bookkeeping and verifying receipts
     * Preparing budgets and reconciling financial statements
     * Managing grant funds, deposits, and issuing checks
     * Supporting the team with clear, transparent financial reporting

Experience with nonprofit finances or QuickBooks is a plus, but dedication, integrity, and a love for animals are the most important qualities for this position.

If you love numbers and rescue stories, we’d love to hear from you!

Interested? Email us at info@awshc.org to learn more!

We are seeking student volunteers to help at our monthly community adoption event, held the second Saturday of each month.

Under the direct supervision of Freckles Foundation team members, volunteers will:

Assist with set up and break down of chairs, tables, and foundation resources. Lifting is required. 

Help handle puppies, dogs, cats, and kittens during the event. A typical comfort around animals is needed. 

Learn about the foundation’s mission and goals so the volunteer can engage with community members to share information about our programs. This will require some advance "homework" from the volunteer.

Students in middle school will need to be accompanied by an adult the first time they volunteer.

This is a great opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience, earn volunteer hours, and make a difference in the lives of animals in need.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours in a public space under direct supervision of the nonprofit organization. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

We are looking for a volunteer to help take photos of our adoptable animals! High-quality photos make a huge difference in helping cats and dogs find their forever homes.

When: “flexible schedule”

Where:  Maryland and Northern Virginia

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Photographing adoptable cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens

Capturing their personalities to help them shine online

Sharing edited images (basic editing is a plus, but not required)

This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who enjoys photography and loves animals.

We are looking for reliable volunteers to help transport foster animals to and from adoption events, vet appointments, and foster homes.

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.

We are seeking a creative and reliable volunteer to help write our animal rescue newsletter. This newsletter keeps our supporters, adopters, and volunteers informed about foster animals, adoption events, and volunteer opportunities.

When: Flexible, recurring or project-based

Where: Remote

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

This is a perfect role for someone who loves writing, enjoys storytelling, and wants to make a direct impact in helping animals find loving homes.

Volunteer with Humane World for Animals' (formerly called HSUS) Animal Rescue Team to help animals who are victims of illegal animal cruelty and disasters.

When the Animal Rescue Team responds - whether to a hoarding situation or dogfighting operation, hurricane or puppy mill - animal rescue volunteers at the Maryland care and rehabilitation center* assist in the on-going care of dogs, cats and other animals who have been rescued from harm.

Animal rescue volunteers come from all walks of life, generously giving their time to apply their skills and experience in response to animals in need. From animal handling and cage cleaning to administrative tasks, the work of animal rescue volunteers is at the heart of Humane World for Animals' mission to end animal suffering and cruelty.

There are 2 volunteer options:

Care Center ARV – Provide daily care and enrichment to the special populations housed at our Maryland care and rehabilitation center. Required trainings include Fear Free Shelters and a course on trauma-informed sheltering.

National ARVs: Deploy to our Maryland care and rehabilitation center or other locations as needed to provide daily care and enrichment and/or to support a Point of Distribution for emergency supplies. Specific trainings on safety, emergency management, the Incident Command System and other critical aspects of care are required.

Volunteers have an initial commitment period of one year and are requested to participate in at least one deployment per year. To help remove barriers to volunteering, approved travel expenses are paid or reimbursed by Humane World for Animals.

All volunteers must:

There is an immediate and ongoing need for volunteers. 

* Note - the location of our center in Northern Maryland is confidential, as animals in our custody who are involved in legal proceedings may be held there. It will be disclosed to volunteers prior to deployment.

Are you a Cat Lover at Heart?  Are you in need of a Cat Fix?  Are you looking for a great way to make new friends both human and feline, all sharing experiences and all for a good cause.  Then becoming a volunteer with the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County (AWLMC) just may be the answer for you!  AWLMC is a non-profit, 501© 3 No-Kill Cat Shelter located in the heart of Olde Town Gaithersburg (12 Park Avenue).  Our two-story house has 5 rather large rooms, with 2 to 3 friendly and social cats in each room, plus our House Cat who has the freedom of the house.  Our volunteer opportunities include Cat Crew, Cat Enrichment, Spay/Neuter Program, Cat and Kitten Fostering and CHOMPERS our Cat/Dog Food Bank Program.  To learn more, please visit our website, awlmc.org or all 301-740-2511.  Or send us a message via this web site!  We look forward to hearing from You and exploring your desires.  On our website  awlmc.org  click on the Volunteer Icon and select Volunteer Application.  Thank You

Environmental Educator Assistants provide high-quality programming and interpretive experiences for our participants and guests. They both assist naturalists during various programs (school programs, scout programs, public programs, birthday parties, etc.) as well as design and facilitate independent interpretive stations. This position includes public speaking, program set-up/tear-down, animal handling, writing interpretive station outlines, and using biofacts (skulls, pelts, feathers, etc.).

Environmental Educator Assistants will demonstrate flexibility, good communication skills, comfort in working with all ages and abilities, and a passion for connecting with others. Volunteers will collaborate with nature center staff to develop and implement environmental education-themed activities for the general public and for special events at CCNC. Volunteers would be supervised by the Volunteer Coordinator as well as staff naturalists as they perform the work on-site.

Environmental Educator Assistants will be assigned specific programs to assist with and/or have a set schedule to facilitate interpretive stations. Schedule and the amount of time worked per week will be based on both your availability and the Nature Center’s needs. Work is done both indoors and outdoors throughout the year, occasionally in inclement (though safe) weather. The position requires some light lifting, walking on uneven terrain, prolonged standing, and bending. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. Due to the amount of training this position entails, we require at least a six-month time commitment to be considered for the position.

Fingerprinting and background check are required as you will be working closely with children.

Volunteer Application Process:

This opportunity is available for student volunteers to earn SSL hours. Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian and must be completed outside of school hours. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit organization directly with any questions and/or concerns. The nonprofit is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. For SSL hours to be added to a student’s record, students must submit MCPS Form 560-51, Student Service Learning Activity Verification Form, to the school SSL coordinator by the due dates on the form (no later than the last Friday in May), which can be found at bit.ly/SSLReflection. Students will need to complete sections 1 and 3 of MCPS Form 560-51 in full. In lieu of section 2 of MCPS Form 560-51, students should attach the “SSL Hour Form” completed and provided to the student by the City of Rockville supervisor.

Dear Friends,

Every day, dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens find themselves in need of a safe, loving place to stay until they find their forever homes. At Freckles Foundation, we rely on compassionate volunteers like you to open your hearts and homes as foster families.

Fostering is one of the most rewarding ways to save lives—it gives animals the chance to feel loved, heal, and learn what it’s like to be part of a family. Whether you can foster for a few days, a few weeks, or longer, your impact is immeasurable.

You provide:

Food/water/litter

A safe, caring environment

Love, patience, and a little extra space in your heart

We provide:

All veterinary care

Ongoing support and guidance

Crates, collars/leashes, carriers

Commitment to finding a great home for your foster

Receipt of your charitable contribution for tax return (upon request)

Every animal you foster brings us one step closer to finding them a forever home. Without fosters, we simply cannot save as many lives as we do.

Not approved for MCPS SSL hours.

Come out and help care for our animals.  Our Saturday workdays involve cleaning barns, putting down fresh bedding, scrubbing water buckets and troughs, keeping pastures maintained, and performing regular animal husbandry tasks such as deworming, regular exams, giving shots, hoof trims, and more. 

Requirements prior to volunteering:

(1) Please fill out our volunteer application form here: https://www.stargazingfarm.org/volunteer

(2) Attend an orientation (held every first Saturday of the month from 12:30-1:15). After filling out the application form you'll receive a link to sign up for orientation.

(3) Fill out our liability waiver form.  This form will be sent to you after you've filled out the application form. 

Thank you for your interest! 

This position is for adults.

We have quite a number of elderly and special needs animals at our sanctuary, and are looking for someone who is specifically interested in and capable of assisting with their care several times a week on an ongoing basis.  Responsibilities include: 

- Giving oral medication as instructed

- Administering shots (IM and SubQ) as instructed

- Bandaging 

- Lifting and/or moving large animals (primarily sheep and goats)

- Keeping detailed observation notes

Additional duties could include: 

- transport of animals to local veterinarians

- light cleaning of their housing areas and replenishing waters

Please fill out our volunteer application on our web site:  Volunteer Application – Star Gazing Farm Animal Sanctuary

Must have a current tetanus shot; be capable of lifting at least 60 pounds; have own vehicle and good driving record; some experience with large animals highly preferred. 

Looking for education-minded adults who love to work with young folks in helping them learn about animals and responsibility. Retired people especially welcome!

Our Saturday workdays run from 9-1 and involve cleaning barns, putting down fresh bedding, scrubbing water troughs and buckets, checking on animals, doing pasture maintenance, painting fences, and more.  Young people will learn the skills of proper tool usage (and putting them away!), how to interact safely and appropriately with large animals, how to work with many different kinds of people in a team, and more. This is a very welcoming and warm environment.

Do you live in Montgomery County and have a dog who is at least 1 year old (and has lived with you for at least six months) that loves interacting with people and wishes to make an impact in their community? People Animals Love (PAL) needs additional volunteer teams to serve our partners across Maryland. Places we visit include Adventist HealthCare, Montgomery Hospice, JSSA Hospice, retirement/assisted living facilities, libraries, schools, correctional facilities, and hospitals. Visits take place during the weekday, in the evenings, and on weekends.  Right now we especially need volunteers during the weekday. Prospective volunteers can express their interest in joining PAL through this link on our website! Thank you for helping us meet our communities' needs!

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

Heart pillows are ideal for those who received surgical procedures near the underarm, and can act as a protective barrier between sensitive areas and the car seatbelt. Volunteers may choose to make sewn or crocheted heart-shaped pillows to show patients that we care!

NOTE: We do NOT accept no-sew pillows.

We welcome unisex colors and patterns (NO holiday or religious patterns, as noted in our project guidelines) and recommend a size of 9 x 9 inches, using cotton fabric for sewn pillows. For the safety of our recipients, please use new and unused materials.Please do not superglue pillows. Pillows must be sewn following the tutorials below, without stuffing coming out. Please feel free to Google to find other patterns.

For volunteers seeking service hours: Photos prior to submissions are HIGHLY recommended to ensure quality work. Please email volunteer@kitstoheart.org with your photos.

Materials

Kits to Heart earns from qualifying Amazon purchases, which supports our mission at no extra cost to you.

Recommended Tutorials

How to Submit

Please follow these steps to ensure your work is received!

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.

Join Us in Making a Difference - Become a Volunteer
A Home of Their Own (AHOTO) was founded by individuals with decades of experience in animal rescue. We are committed to saving as many dogs and cats as possible and placing them in loving forever homes. After adoption, we continue to offer education, training, outreach, and support to build a strong community of happy adopters and their pets.

We are always in need of compassionate, dedicated volunteers. Whether you have a few hours a week or are looking for a more active role, there are many ways to get involved!

Volunteer opportunities include:

Fostering dogs and/or cats in your home

Transporting animals to and from shelters, veterinary appointments, or adoption shows

Helping at adoption shows with setup, support, and dog handling

Dog walking for dogs in boarding - give them a break with walks or fun field trips

Administrative help such as data entry or bookkeeping

Social media and outreach to support branding, content creation, and community engagement

Fundraising through virtual campaigns or in-person events

No matter your skill set or schedule, your time can truly make a difference.

Ready to get started?
Sign up at ahomeoftheirownrescue.org/volunteer

A Home of Their Own is committed to saving as many dogs and cats as we can while finding them the best possible forever homes. Once an animal is adopted, we will offer education, training, outreach and support to create a community of happy adopters and their pets.

A Home of Their Own is looking for an individual to assist with dog adoption show set up the 3rd Saturday of each month from 1:00PM to 3:00PM at Unleashed, 3134 Olney Sandy Spring Rd., Olney.

Task include:

All supplies and training will be provided. If you are looking for an opportunity to assist the animal community here is your chance. If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit ahomeoftheirownrescue.org/volunteer and sign up today!

Open Your Home, Open Your Heart - Become a Dog Foster
A Home of Their Own is committed to rescuing as many dogs and cats as possible and finding them the best forever homes. After adoption, we continue to support our community with education, training, and outreach to ensure long-lasting, happy matches.

Are you a compassionate, patient individual or family looking to make a meaningful difference? Fostering with AHOTO may be the perfect opportunity for you.

Fostering gives dogs the chance to decompress, grow, and thrive outside of a shelter - while helping us save more lives.

As a dog foster, you will:

Provide a safe, loving, and stable home environment

Feed and care for the dog(s) in your care

Help us learn more about their personality, preferences, and needs

Bring your foster dog to at least two adoption shows per month to increase their chances of finding a forever home

Why foster?

Discover the unique personality of your foster dog

Help prepare them for life in a forever home

Make space for shelters and rescues to save more animals in need

Be a critical part of a dog’s rescue journey

If you’re ready to help a dog find their second chance, sign up at ahomeoftheirownrescue.org/foster.

Join Our Transport Team - Help Move Dogs Toward a Better Life
A Home of Their Own is committed to rescuing as many dogs and cats as possible and finding them the best forever homes. After adoption, we continue to support our community through education, training, and outreach to ensure lasting, loving bonds.

We're currently seeking reliable transport volunteers to help move dogs safely and efficiently between locations. Transport is a crucial part of our rescue operations - it helps dogs get to vet appointments, fosters, and safe housing.

Volunteer transport duties may include:

Driving dogs from foster homes or boarding facilities to veterinary appointments and back

Picking up dogs from a designated location (typically 30-60 minutes away) and transporting them to a kennel or foster home

Shuttling dogs between kennels and foster homes as needed

Requirements:

A valid driver’s license, personal vehicle, and auto insurance

Ability to safely handle dogs (experience preferred but not required)

Willingness to communicate with our team and follow transport protocols

If you have a reliable car and a heart for rescue, we’d love your help.
Sign up at ahomeoftheirownrescue.org/volunteer

Help Dogs Find Their Perfect Match
A Home of Their Own is dedicated to rescuing as many dogs and cats as possible and placing them in loving forever homes. After adoption, we continue to support our community with education, training, and outreach to ensure lasting, happy bonds between pets and their people.

We’re currently looking for volunteers to serve as Dog Applicant Meet & Greet Liaisons - a vital part of the adoption process!

As a Meet & Greet Liaison, you will:

Introduce adoptable dogs to potential adopters

Share information about each dog’s personality, background, and needs

Provide feedback on the meet and greet to our Dog Manager

Help create lasting connections between dogs and their future families

This role is a great fit if you:

Are friendly, reliable, and comfortable speaking with people

Want to make a hands-on difference in a dog’s journey to their forever home

Can commit to occasional in-person meetups (locations vary)

Ready to help dogs find the love they deserve?
Sign up today at ahomeoftheirownrescue.org/volunteer

We’re seeking positive, eager individuals to join our dynamic team at weekly adoption events in Olney and Silver Spring.

Responsibilities may include:

Assisting with event setup and take-down

Refilling water bowls for our furry friends

Greeting visitors, answering questions, and guiding the public

Transporting dogs to and from the venue

Handling and engaging with dogs during the show

What we're looking for:

A friendly, upbeat attitude and a willingness to learn

Previous experience with dogs is a plus, but passion and enthusiasm matter most!

All training and supplies (treats, water bowls, adoption resources, etc.) will be provided.

Ready to make a difference? Visit ahomeoftheirownrescue.org/volunteer to sign up and learn more about how you can support our adoption shows. Your time and care help us rehome more pets and create brighter futures.

Considering fostering but unsure about a long-term commitment? Our two-week foster program offers a rewarding opportunity to help a dog transition from shelter life to a forever home. By providing a temporary, loving environment, you help us assess the dog's personality and needs, making it easier to match them with the right adopter. This also frees up space in shelters, allowing us to assist more animals in need.

What We Provide

Crate and necessary gear

Ongoing support and guidance

What We Ask of You

A safe, nurturing home for two weeks

Basic care and companionship

Observations on the dog's behavior to aid in adoption placement

Join us in making a tangible difference in a dog's life. Your temporary home can be the first step to their forever home.

Ready to Foster?

Sign up today at ahomeoftheirownrescue.org/foster and become a part of our compassionate community.

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.

A post shared by Kits to Heart (@kitstoheart)

Help craft soft, colorful amigurumi creatures for patients undergoing cancer treatments. These thoughtful gifts not only brighten the patients' days but also serve as a symbol of care and encouragement during a challenging time. Please feel free to add keychains to the mini crochet creatures!

In terms of sizing, the mini crochet animals should be about the size of the palm of your hand, while the larger crochet animals may be the size of the hand itself. Due to the size limitations of our care kits, we will not be able to accept crochet animals larger than the size of an average adult hand. Thanks for your understanding and support!

Amigurumi Tutorials and Patterns:

Recommended Materials

How to Submit

Please follow these steps to ensure your work is received!

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. 

Post the rescued pets photos and/or text about the pets on social media platforms like facebook, youtube, and  Petfinder.

A Home of Their Own is committed to saving as many dogs and cats as we can while finding them the best possible forever homes. Once an animal is adopted, we will offer education, training, outreach and support to create a community of happy adopters and their pets.

A Home of Their Own is looking for an individual to assist with dog adoption show set up the 5th Saturday of each month (only on certain months) from 1:00PM to 3:00PM at Petsmart, 12020 Cherry Hill Rd., Calverton/Silver Spring

Task include:

All supplies and training will be provided. If you are looking for an opportunity to assist the animal community here is your chance. If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit ahomeoftheirownrescue.org/volunteer and sign up today!

A Home of Their Own is committed to saving as many dogs and cats as we can while finding them the best possible forever homes. Once an animal is adopted, we will offer education, training, outreach and support to create a community of happy adopters and their pets.

A Home of Their Own is looking for an individual to assist with dog adoption show set up the 4th Saturday of each month from 1:00PM to 3:00PM at Petsmart, 12020 Cherry Hill Rd., Calverton/Silver Spring

Task include:

All supplies and training will be provided. If you are looking for an opportunity to assist the animal community here is your chance. If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit ahomeoftheirownrescue.org/volunteer and sign up today!

We will start soon holding pop-up adoption events.

We will offer age appropriate community service to different age groups on different days.  The best way to see what is going on is to visit our Volunteer page: Volunteer HERE

To see our upcoming events check here.  These events will include student activities with and without having animals in attendance.  Here is our official Event Page Click Look at all upcoming events NOT ALL SSL

There is also an online registration form that is required to attend.  Everyone must complete the application to attend and receive and invitation to participate and receive a 560 form.  560 forms will be printed at the time of service for participants who registered.  

You can go directly to the register online by clicking here Register for HALS MCPS SSL

WE HAVE NOTHING SCHEDULED AT THIS TIME. If you register now we will email you when there are volunteer opportunities to see if you can attend.  

Thank you to the students that want to serve our community by helping out displaced, and homeless animals.

Hal

Executive Director

Hal@HomeAtLastSanctuary.org

Are you a person looking for an opportunity to work with a not for profit 501(C) 3 organization?  Then perhaps the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County (AWLMC) may be just the thing.  Are you looking for a great way to make new friends both human and feline, all sharing experiences and all for a good cause.  Then maybe we are a great fit.  We are looking for a person who is experience with Excel  to enter data into our Chompers Food Bank Data Bank.  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

We are seeking dedicated individuals or families to provide loving homes for our rescued animals until a permanent adopter is found. We save from euthanasia. The average fostering period is 4-6 weeks, though this can vary. All of our animals are up to date on their vaccinations and have been spayed or neutered. By fostering, you’ll be giving these animals the chance to thrive in a safe and loving environment while they await their forever home. If you're passionate about making a difference in an animal's life, we'd love to have you on board!

Pep's Pals Rescue provides food and all supplies.

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

We are seeking a dedicated and organized Coordinator to help schedule veterinary appointments for our rescued animals, ensuring they receive necessary shots and medical care. This role will also involve coordinating transport services to pick up animals from shelters and arranging their transport to designated locations for drop-offs with fosters and adopters. The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for animal welfare. If you’re looking to make a meaningful impact and help animals in need, we would love to hear from you!

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

No experience needed. Do check-ins with Foster and Adopters of animals rescued. A simple phone call to ask how they are doing with their new pet and how the pet is doing.

The Button Farm seeks volunteers for a variety of activities. Opportunities include gardening, animal care, general site maintenance and support for open house events. On pre-scheduled Volunteer Days tasks are assigned day-of and upon your arrival. Activities are good for individuals, families, and small groups. Volunteer opportunities will be weather permitting. Volunteers will receive a notice of upcoming volunteer days via email.

The Button Farm Living History Center is set on 40-pristine acres inside Seneca Creek State Park, and is Maryland's only living history center depicting 19th century slave plantation life and the inspirational story of the Underground Railroad. Our site features a Civil War-era Barn, Historic Outbuildings, Livestock Pens, Museum Garden, and Slave Cemetery.

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. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

**The email addresses [number]@MCPSMD.net cannot receive replies from our email. Please use an alternative email to register.**

The Agricultural History Farm Park is a scenic 455-acre park featuring rolling hills, open fields, an apple orchard, and a variety of farm animals which offers a unique perspective on the county's rich farming heritage. The Magruder-Bussard farmstead is located within Farm Park and past farming practices are interpreted for the public in a historic farmhouse, barn, assorted farm buildings, and portions of the general property. In addition to the farmstead, the Park includes a 39-acre parcel on the western edge of the farm that was once home to a kinship-based African American community called Newmantown. The Farm Park has many visitors, and volunteers who have a love of history will assist staff in helping visitors connect to the history of the Farm Park through special events and programs.

This opportunity is for individuals who would assist the Farm Park with its special events and programs, as needed, held throughout the year including the Harvest Festival and Montgomery County's Heritage Days. Individuals would help with set-up and clean-up; and assist staff with various duties and tasks at special events and/or programs.

This is perfect for someone who doesn't want to volunteer on a regular basis, but can pitch in when needed!

Training will be provided. SSL approved.

Click on this link to learn more and to apply on the Park's website, and then Duties and Requirements to learn more, and then Apply to be considered for this opportunity.

Click on this link to learn more about the Agricultural History Farm: http://www.montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/agricultural-history-farm-park/

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian  and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is looking for volunteers who LOVE CATS to go to various Petsmart locations and care for our cats that live there while waiting to be adopted!  Our cats are currently housed in 3 locations:  Largo Petsmart (10464 Campus Way S, Largo, MD 20774), Oxon Hill Petsmart (6005 Oxon Hill Road Oxon Hill, MD 20745) and Alexandria Petsmart (3351 Richmond Hwy Alexandria, VA 22305)

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

Whelping/Puppy Watcher Volunteers support WCC’s Breeding Program by assisting with daily tasks to maintain a clean and safe Puppy Enrichment Center (PEC). Volunteers also assist with necessary care for mom and her puppies to ensure optimal development. Whelping shifts are 4 hours long and the volunteers work with the pups 0-3 weeks.  Puppy Watching shifts are 3 hours long and the puppies are 3-8 weeks old.  All volunteers will be trained to be both whelping and puppy watcher volunteers. Volunteers must attend a 1.5 hour training via zoom and shadow a current volunteer or staff member two times prior to volunteering solo. We are especially in need of volunteers to care for our moms and puppies for evening shifts (4-8pm and 7-10pm)! 

LOCATION:

Warrior Canine Connection’s Healing Quarters,  Boyds, MD.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

QUALIFICATIONS:

To initiate the process of becoming a volunteer with Warrior Canine Connection, please submit a volunteer application featured on our website here. 

Lucky Dog Animal Rescue is looking for volunteers that would like to be Cat Adoption Coordinators!  We are a foster-based rescue in the VA, MD, DC area that pulls kittens and cats from high kill shelters across the rural south and places them in foster care to get adopted!  We need volunteers willing to train to become Dog and Cat Adoption Coordinators and help us get these wonderful animals adopted! 

Interested in learning more - reach out to volunteering@luckydoganimalrescue.org and we will send you info on our next AC information session/training!

About the Adoption Coordinator (AC) role:

What is it?

Adoption Coordinators are the main advocates for our dogs and cats!  They not only work to match our animals with potential adopters, but they also serve as a critical resource to our foster parents. ACs choose the animals they want to be responsible for, ensure they are properly posted online, and discuss them with interest adopters. ACs review ALL applications that come in for those animals -- and if they are not previously pre-approved, ensure that we complete a vet check and landlord check (if applicable), conduct a phone screen, and, when needed, find a home visit volunteer.

Adoption Coordinators are one of our most important groups of volunteers.  Typically, ACs dedicate anywhere from 5-15 hours a week to Lucky Dog. Having regular access to email is super important!

Adoption Coordinators are also required to attend at least 2 adoption events per month and 1 transport per month. This is a great opportunity to meet your dogs and cats and chat with their fosters!

Training Needed?

All Adoption Coordinators go through a virtual AC training and shadow at one of our Sunday adoption events. Once they have completed that, they will go through a mentoring phase before they work on their own.

**PLEASE DON'T APPLY TO THIS OPPORTUNITY - SEE LINK BELOW TO GO TO PARK'S WEBSITE**

*MCPS STUDENTS - PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR SCHOOL EMAIL - EMAILS to STUDENTS FROM OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE NOT ALLOWED AND WE CANNOT RESPOND TO YOU*

This listing is for information purposes only.

Montgomery Parks has many Student Service Learning (SSL) approved volunteer opportunities! Students can earn SSL hours volunteering in a variety of ways, depending on the time the year and what's available.  Some of the opportunities MAY include staffing and/or taking photos at our special events; helping out at nature centers as animal caretakers, camp counselors and naturalist aides; helping our Archeology Crew; assisting office administration; removing invasive plants and vines; helping out at park & stream cleanups; gardening; and much more!

Please search for and sign up for these or other SSL approved volunteer opportunities on our website at www.ParksVolunteers.org. SSL coordinators can contact the Parks Volunteer office at 301-495-2504 if there are any questions.

FYI - SSL hours will only be awarded by Park staff if they were notified and have given approval for the volunteer work ahead of time. For most of our SSL opportunities, volunteers must be at least 14 and older to volunteer on their own, but we do have some family volunteer opportunities that are eligible for SSL hours (Parent AND Child must fill out separate applications). Go to our website at www.ParksVolunteers.org, Search and Apply for Volunteer Opportunities, then click on Children and Families to see a list.

Recorded Visual Content Creator: 

Are you creative? Do you enjoy creating short videos to provide entertainment and lifelong learning opportunities? Do you love helping others? This could be a great opportunity for you!

Create recorded content for older adults to enjoy. Many of these older adults are aging in place or isolated. Content must be family-friendly and will be available for older adult clients to view. 

Videos will provide opportunities for learning, enjoyment, and entertainment and could genuinely make people’s day and improve mood and overall quality of life. 

Please find more information and guidelines on how to create this content below.

Contact and send your completed (unlisted) YouTube videos to: Gabe at  gpinkney@jssa.org.

REQUIREMENTS:

For more information contact:

We Need Your Help! A Call for Creative, Recorded Video Content for our Clients

One wonderful way that volunteers can get involved in supporting our senior clients is by providing recorded video content to add to our video library. Many of our clients are aging in place and it helps stimulate them to utilize media platforms for entertainment, enrichment, and lifelong learning. One of our goals is to continue to expand our library of recorded content for our clients. Please review this entire document carefully for requirements and how the process works. I have included some tips and tutorials under the resources section. We appreciate your time and consideration of doing this!

Required Guidelines, Policies and Filming Suggestions-Please Review

-Speak clearly, enunciate, and speak a bit slower than you normally do. Providing some pauses in between topics or portions of your presentation can help the viewer digest the information.

-Please do not share your last name or any additional personal information about yourself or anyone else during your videos. For example, if you are narrating or leading a video you could say, “Hi, my name is (your first name) and today I will show you around (name of location).”

-Please do not just speak to the camera. Options to enhance your video include showing the camera objects, sharing your screen to display text and visuals, showing the camera scenic views/displays, etc.

-Please make sure your sound levels are good and you have good lighting. Filming outdoors if audio levels are ok can help with the quality of the lighting.

-These videos are better if done generically, so that people can view them anytime. No need to mention the date you are filming, events that are upcoming, or any possible limiting factors like that. Keep things generic, broad and open-ended, and focus on the task at hand of entertaining and informing the viewer.

Please note: we cannot guarantee that every video submission will be used.

Video Recording and Submission Process:

HELPFUL RESOURCES TO EXPLORE

5-minute iMovie video editing tutorial (video)

Uploading video to YouTube Tutorial 1 (please make sure your video is set as “unlisted”)

Uploading video to YouTube Tutorial 2

How to add automatic subtitles and closed captions to your YouTube Video

More on adding subtitles and captions to your YouTube video

Adding closed captioning into your YouTube Video

Video Categories, Topics and Ideas:

Here are some options for types of videos you can create.

PET TALKS: Kids can create and share short documentaries about their pets. Education is provided as information about the animal (breed, diet, exercise). For seniors this would engage their memory process to think about pets they had growing up (or have now), while providing educational and soothing material. (please make sure video is approximately 5 minutes long).

WALKING TOURS: Could be done by people of all ages, including high school and college students. Create walking tours featuring a town, local history, an art gallery, museum, and/or some type of attraction. Information about the history of the location or unique insight about what is being shown is key. If at a museum, selections from the display placards could be read. Unique insight, relevant stories and other anecdotes are encouraged. This will allow homebound seniors to explore and/or revisit their local town or learn about a new destination. Videos could be local, national, or international destinations. (Approximately 15 minutes long).

MUSIC PERFORMANCES: Volunteers could create recorded videos of them performing music. It could be performances with musical instruments, singing, or both! Performance experience required please. Experienced performers preferred. Solo, small group, or ensemble performances welcome. Please be mindful of the acoustics of the setting you are in and test out the volume of your sound to ensure that it is at an appropriate level. (5 minutes-30 minutes).

LECTURES/PRESENTATIONS:

Option to create a recorded lecture for a class project/teaching opportunity/subject that you have knowledge or expertise in. Slides, pictures, clips, etc. are strongly encouraged to be utilized by the presenter. (10-45 minutes long).

Some options within this category could include:

-Visual art demonstration

-Show off your collection! Explain when you started collecting and some of your favorites!

-Cooking demonstration (please include a disclaimer at the beginning of your video. Example disclaimer: “this video is for educational purposes. Please only try cooking if you have appropriate safety measures in place and assistance from another person.”

-Magic show (card tricks, juggling, etc.). Option to show how trick is done too!

-History lesson

-Guided meditation or sound meditation

-Short story reading (please display text on the screen also while reading, if possible. Short stories are often available to view online. You could share your screen, enlarge the text, and record that way if possible). The presenter is welcome and encouraged to share their brief analysis of the story after they read it.

-Theater performance

-Talent show

-Narrated slideshow about a trip you went on

-Gardening

-Dance performance

-Poetry

-Trivia or mind challenge (example: Ask a trivia question, wait 15 seconds, then give the answer, repeat)

-Language lesson (with text visuals on screen). Even English language lessons are helpful as some of our clients have a desire to practice or improve their English.

-Basic technology training steps (simplified, focusing on one device, visuals and text incorporated)

Thank you again for your time and creativity! Your participation means you are making a difference for our clients! Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

We are Lucky Dog Animal Rescue and we save dogs and cats, puppies and kittens from high-kill shelters across the rural south and we NEED YOUR HELP. These animals must come to the DC area and they cannot escape the shelter unless we have confirmed fosters. If you would like to open your home and heart and snuggle a pup or kitty, then check out our website (Lucky Dog Animal Rescue Fosters) to complete a questionnaire.

Fosters pick up their foster animal when they arrive on transport on Saturdays, from our Sunday adoption events, or from another foster. They provide temporary housing until the animal is placed in their forever home. This can be as short as a few days, or take several weeks. Our full time fosters typically commit to housing their foster dog or cat until they find a forever home.

Lucky Dog fosters provide a loving, temporary home for their foster dog or cat, communicate regularly with the Lucky Dog team, and provide transportation for their foster animal to our Sunday adoption events at least twice a month to help get their foster dog or cat adopted! Fosters must be able provide transportation to get the foster animal to events twice a month and for any medical needs (e.g., vet visits, medicine pick up, etc.). Lucky Dog asks foster families to provide food for their foster animal: we can provide or loan you the rest. Fostering is of course temporary so if you can't keep your foster animal long-term or only for a week or two, we understand -- that's the beauty of fostering!

To apply to be a foster, please visit our website at Lucky Dog Animal Rescue Fosters!!!

Establish a one-to-one relationship over a period of time with a youth with a focus on a pet, in order to provide support, opportunities to model the animals ability to stay on task, follow directions and connect with others. Specifically a pet volunteer encourages, teaches, builds on the positive, reinforces positive behavior. Pet Volunteers also must be willing to meet with students at a pre-arranged date and time to provide adult and pet companionship as well as positive role modeling. Volunteers must have an interest in volunteering with an emotionally disturbed youth as well as patience and understanding when it comes to dealing with the students. A respect for confidentiality is also a must for this position. Volunteers for this opportunity must also be able to control their pet.

Pets for Vets is looking for assistants to assist with our 10 step match making process. Assistants will accompany the trainer to meetings with the Veterans to learn more about their story and what they are looking for in an animal. They will also assist in helping find the perfect animal to meet that Veterans needs.  Assistants also join the trainer on match day when the Veteran sees the trained animal for the first time.

Pets for Vets specifically chooses each animal based on the Veterans needs.  We are looking for volunteers to assist with photographing and videoing the assessment tests of each animal in the shelters.  Additionally, we need photography and video on the match making day when the trained animal is paired with the Veteran. 

The Gaithersburg Youth Club (GYC) is a City of Gaithersburg recreation program for students in grades 6-8. Membership includes admission to Robertson Park & Olde Towne Youth Centers, after school activities, field trips, and volunteer opportunities. These volunteer opportunities include: -Reading to younger children at the library. -Car washes -Environmental clean-ups -Intergenerational programs at retirement/nursing homes -Letters to veterans -Creating public service announcements broadcast via podcast series online -Assisting in supervision of younger participants during recreational activities, special events, and field trips -Holiday cards for hospice & nursing homes -Making toys for animal shelter -Preparing meals for homeless shelters -Serving food at local food banks/soup kitchens -Participation in youth advisory committees -Support volunteer roles at Holiday Giving & City festivals -Assisting in tasks to prepare for City events and City-sponsored activities.

Volunteers must be GYC members. GYC membership is associated with an annual fee of $20 for City of Gaithersburg residents and $25 for non-residents. Students must be in grades 6-8 to register. Students must abide by the GYC rules and regulations during their participation in volunteer activities.  Visit our website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov, keyword search "GYC" to download the membership registration form and calendar.  Email jake.hersom@gaithersburgmd.gov with questions.

Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian  and must be completed outside of school hours. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns.

The Student Union is a high school club sponsored by the City of Gaithersburg. Students must be in grades 9-12 to become a member and registration is $10/year for City residents and $15/year for non-residents. Membership includes admission to after school programs at Bohrer Park, access to the Olde Towne & Robertson Park Youth Centers, field trips, and volunteer opportunities. These volunteer opportunities include: -Tree plantings -Car washes -Environmental clean-ups -Intergenerational programs at retirement/nursing homes -Assist in supervision of younger participants during recreational activities, special events, field trips, and at the Youth Centers -Making toys for animal shelter -Preparing meals for homeless shelters -Serving food at local food banks/soup kitchens -Participation in youth advisory committees -Assist in tasks to prepare for City events and City-sponsored activities -Support volunteers at Holiday Giving programs, Homeless Resource Fair, & City festivals (Winter Lights, Oktoberfest, Book Festival, SummerFest)

Volunteers must be active members of the Student Union (grades 9-12 and are expected to follow the City's rules and regulations during their participation in volunteer programs.  Visit our website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov, keyword search "Student Union" to download the membership registration form and calendar.  Email studentunion@gaithersburgmd.gov with questions.

Role:  To serve as a link between Who Will Let the Dogs Out and one or more of our 50 rescue/shelter partners around the southeastern US; learn about and advocate for their needs; share their good news, challenges and best practices on our social media, newsletter, website and Resource Guide. 

Preparation: Review shelter’s website and social media; review information about them on our website; send an email introduction to our shelter contact; schedule an introductory call with your shelter point person; subscribe to the shelter newsletter if one is available.

Sample Tasks: Ensure that the shelter’s Amazon, Chewy and other wish lists are up to date; check their social media posts at least twice weekly; share the shelter's news/needs and clever/successful fundraising, program, and practices with our social media, newsletter and Resource Guide teams; help network to fulfill a particular need such as food, beds or chew toys.

We are looking for foster homes for approximately 3-6 months to house an animal while the trainer is training the animal for the Veteran.  You would need to allow the trainer consistent access to the animal for training.  Each animal is specifically selected for each Veterans individual needs/desires. All animals selected are non aggressive and good with other animals, kids, and people. 

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

RefAmerica UPDATE for Summer 2020 (virtual) and 2021 (in-person):   Hope you all are healthy and staying safe.  Yes, RefAmerica is still looking for local American high school students who want to help promote a warm American welcome for refugees in the United States.  As we will be unable to bring resettled refugee teens to Washington D.C. this summer for the RefAmerica leadership program, we plan to have a certain number of virtual sessions with a RefAmerica group of teen refugees and volunteers in July 2020 to allow participants to begin their cross-cultural experience, to begin to bond, to begin to develop story-telling and public speaking skills, and to receive some mentoring in anticipation of their in-person program in Washington next summer (2021).  If you are a graduating senior, rising senior, or a rising junior, your virtual participation in this program in July 2020 could help lessen the feelings of isolation and frustration experienced by relatively recently arrived refugee teens as they attempt to operate and adapt in a new language and a foreign country during a pandemic lockdown and its aftermath.  Support and insights from American peers will be invaluable to them as they try to get know their new home country and its inhabitants under very trying conditions, and volunteers will gain much from refugee insights as well.

We are accepting applications through mid-June and will interview RefAmerica applicants (by phone).  (If you are interested in helping welcome refugee peers, we would suggest that this is an ideal time to focus on the RefAmerica application when you are necessarily at home and practicing social distancing.)  Those accepted into the program can rest assured that so long as they qualify this year, they will have the opportunity to participate with their refugee contemporaries in the in-person program in Washington next year (health conditions permitting), and we will look to our volunteer teen participants this July to provide much-needed moral support to these refugee peers by participating in a few virtual sessions.   

 RefAmerica’s one-month, Washington-based, in-person program scheduled to be held next in 2021 will, as in previous years, will be held in July for  six – ten recently resettled refugee high school students drawn from around the U.S. and six - ten comparably aged American teens from Montgomery County, MD, and surrounding areas.

RefAmerica is a program in leadership, public-speaking, cross-cultural understanding, and the narrative method.  Participants have the opportunity to get to know Washington DC; to learn more about American immigrant stories; to engage in a unique cross-cultural program of sharing traditions, team-building experiences and personal stories; to explore their own roles within a greater American story of immigration and integration; to meet with government and legislative officials, refugee program professionals, and others; and to plan ways to welcome refugees and promote cross-cultural understanding in their home communities.  The goal of RefAmerica is to promote full inclusion of recently arrived refugees in America and provide small groups of participant refugees with the tools both to tell their stories and to help forge for themselves, their families and their fellow refugees, like generations of Americans before them, a new American story.  Volunteer participants in the  July 2021 in-person program are eligible for SSL.   

If you would like to participate in RefAmerica program (in-person July 2021 and virtually July 2020) please email refamericafoundation@gmail.com for an application.

We would also welcome hearing from anyone whose parents might want to host a recently resettled refugee high school student for the month of July 2021 or anyone who is just interested in learning more, helping in fund-raising events, or helping in any other way,

Participation in the summer program is competitive and requires an application, short bio, and resume.  For this volunteer opportunity, we are looking for friendly, outgoing, supportive students with a commitment to and record of community service.  In 2021 (and virtually in 2020), local volunteer participants will join with refugee participants in a wide array of cross-cultural exchange, team-building, and community service activities; build public speaking and leadership skills; and advocate for refugees.  They will offer their refugee contemporaries friendship, welcome, and an introduction to teen life in their new home country.  In 2021, program participants must make a full four-week commitment (including weekends).  In 2020, virtual participation will be 5-8 partial days throughout July (schedule and timing collectively TBD). 

RefAmerica is in its fourth year of bringing refugees and local teens together to tell their stories in a summer program of training, shared experience, and cultural exchange.  Check out  https://twitter.com/refugees/status/998605511833550851 for UNHCR’s animated tweet of Alaa’s story from RefAmerica 2017.  You can also check online for RefAmerica's first-prize essay in the 2018 Dream Builders contest and for various NGO postings about individual refugees who have participated in the RefAmerica program. 

As a foster parent, you may give a mother cat and her kittens a place to live until the kittens are old enough for the entire family to return to the shelter for adoption. You may be able to take a litter of kittens (or puppies) that have no mother for up to 8 weeks. You could care for a cat with an upper respiratory Kittens infection until he feels better, or help rehabilitate a dog with a broken leg that is healing. You might take home a rabbit to make room for new arrivals in our small-mammals area. We have lots of animals that need your care, especially older cats who truly benefit from spending time away from the shelter before they find their forever homes. Supplies and care. We furnish all the supplies you need, including food, litter, bedding, toys and enrichment items, and medical care. Foster parents are responsible for traveling to and from the shelter for medical care and foster care appointments. The frequency of appointments varies depending on the reason an animal is being fostered.

Time Commitment: Fostering may last anywhere from two weeks to several months, depending on the pet’s needs. If you are interested in fostering with MCASAC, please follow these steps:

*Criteria: Be of age. The primary caregiver of the foster animal must be at least 18 years old. Be in the area. Foster volunteers must be able to get to our shelter in Derwood Maryland on a regular basis. Please consider the potential commute before applying to foster. Please note that MCASAC cannot accommodate those seeking to fulfill court-ordered community service.

for more information please contact: fostermcasac@montgomerycountymd.gov