Opportunities From: Montgomery County Volunteer Center

Volunteer: Community Event Support


Join us on Saturday, January 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day through meaningful community service. Volunteers will assist with event activities at the Gaithersburg Public Library, located at 18330 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20879, and help guide residents with directions or questions.

Activity stations will include:

Assembling care packages for unhoused community members

Decorating onesies for infants in need

Participating in MLK-themed trivia and games

Crafting a Linus Blanket

Button Making

Clay Modeling

Card Making for those in need


Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own food and water. Breaks will be included, and SSL forms will be provided. Feel free to bring a can of soup for Super Saturday, where we donate a can of soup to those in need.


Participants should:

Include their best contact number to be informed of any changes to this service project.

Please Note: There will be no refrigeration available for food items. Participants should expect to be standing for a significant amount of time.

Prathertown Community Development Corporation Contact Information:
Email: info@prathertown.org - Phone: (301) 258-1003 - Website: www.prathertown.org -7901 Queenair Drive, Suite 108 Gaithersburg, MD, 20879

As with all our projects, when you register you do so with the understanding that volunteering may involve physical activity, and will require the exercise of reasonable care to avoid injury and/or damage and agree to assume any and all risks of personal injury or property

damage.


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.

Organization: Prathertown Community Development Corporation


Join us on Saturday, January 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. as we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day through meaningful community service. Volunteers will assist with event activities at the Gaithersburg Public Library, located at 18330 Montgomery Village Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20879, and help guide residents with directions or questions.

Activity stations will include:

Assembling care packages for unhoused community members

Decorating onesies for infants in need

Participating in MLK-themed trivia and games

Crafting a Linus Blanket

Button Making

Clay Modeling

Card Making for those in need


Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own food and water. Breaks will be included, and SSL forms will be provided. Feel free to bring a can of soup for Super Saturday, where we donate a can of soup to those in need.


Participants should:

Include their best contact number to be informed of any changes to this service project.

Please Note: There will be no refrigeration available for food items. Participants should expect to be standing for a significant amount of time.

Prathertown Community Development Corporation Contact Information:
Email: info@prathertown.org - Phone: (301) 258-1003 - Website: www.prathertown.org -7901 Queenair Drive, Suite 108 Gaithersburg, MD, 20879

As with all our projects, when you register you do so with the understanding that volunteering may involve physical activity, and will require the exercise of reasonable care to avoid injury and/or damage and agree to assume any and all risks of personal injury or property

damage.


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.

Organization: Prathertown Community Development Corporation

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On Jan 17, 2026

Zip Code: 20879

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: Choose Respect PSA Contest 2026 - Submit Video by February 15, 2026

Choose Respect PSA Contest 2026 Deadline: February 15, 2026 The 2025-2026 Choose Respect Video Contest is open! Enter Today! This contest challenges MS and HS students to create an original 60-second video in English or Spanish to promote awareness of dating violence/abuse among teens. Participants are encouraged to be creative! Students who submit a quality video entry to the contest will earn 10 SSL Hours. Video entries illustrating child abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, and adult domestic violence will NOT be accepted. Students will be awarded SSL hours in April of 2025 if their submission has met all of the requirements of the contest. Students SHOULD NOT complete Form 560-51 for this opportunity. Who can enter? All 6th - 12th grade students living in Montgomery County can enter.  Students can enter the contest on their own or as a group; however, students may only participate in ONE entry. If a student in any way participates in more than one video, all of those entries will be disqualified. 

Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026

Entry Rules (download rules):   All submissions must have a title.
• All submissions must be in either English or Spanish.
• All submissions must be 50-70 seconds in length.
• All submissions must be uploaded to Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, or similar program.
• You will then have to provide us with the link via our Online Contest Submission Form (available at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fjc/chooserespect/video.html)
• All submissions must address at least one of the following as it relates to dating violence:
• Physical abuse, emotional/verbal abuse, types of technological abuse, financial abuse or issues around consent.
• Examples of healthy behaviors in a relationship.
• Bystander intervention (how to step in and help a friend who is being abused).
• All submissions must include the Montgomery County Family Justice Center - 240-773-0444 as the resource where victims of domestic violence and dating abuse can get help.
• Submissions must reflect careful planning, thoughtful insight into the material presented, and accurate and thorough coverage of the content.
• Submissions may NOT include ANY copyrighted music, audio/video clips, characters, logos, or other protected material. Videos may include music only if it is considered “open source” music, or if it is composed and played by a student (or students) in the group.


Evaluation and Prizes: All submissions will be reviewed by a judging panel, with cash prizes going to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, and Honorable Mention prizes going to 4th and 5th place. A “Fan Favorite” will also be selected from the Top 5 via public vote during the month of March, and will receive an additional prize. The winning videos will be announced at RespectFest on March 15, 2026. Winning students must participate in the Spring event.

To Enter:  1. Create your video, and make sure it follows all of the rules listed above. 2. Upload your video to Google Drive (ENABLE THE SHARING OPTION), Dropbox, YouTube, or similar program. 3. Fill out this Online PSA Contest Submission Form.  
Check out previous winners for inspiration!

2025

1st Place- "Break the Silence"- Northwood High School 

2nd Place- "Know the Difference"- Montgomery Blair High School 

3rd Place- "Love Shouldn't Hurt"- Albert Einstein High School 

Honorable Mention & Fan Favorite- "Love is like Paper"- Eastern Middle School"

Honorable Mention- " What I Loved Most"- MLK Middle School 

2024

1st Place- "Warning Signs"- Ridgeview Middle School 
2nd Place- "Does your Partner Love You"- North Bethesda Middle School  
3rd Place- "Beyond the Surface:Understanding Dating Violence"-Winston Churchill High School 
Honorable Mention- "PSA with Blur (A Guide to Safe Dating)"- Damascus High School

2023

1st Place:  Broken Pieces - Poolesville High School

2nd Place:  If You Love Your Partner - MLK Jr. Middle School

3rd Place: It’s All Your Fault - Northwest High School

Honorable Mention and Fan Favorite: Lessons Learned - Watkins Mill HS, Springbrook HS, and Blake HS

Honorable Mention: The Signs Were Always There - Churchill High School

2022
1st Place - "Not My Fault" - MLK Jr. Middle School
2nd Place and Fan Favorite - "High School Simulator" - Einstein High School
3rd Place - "Words do Hurt" - Shady Grove Middle School
Honorable Mention - "Dating Shouldn't Hurt" - Julius West Middle School
Honorable Mention - "It's Fine" - Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

2021

1st Place and Fan Favorite - Love Should Never Hurt - Poolesville High School / Takoma Park Middle School
2nd Place - Boys Will Be Boys - Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School
3rd Place - Guys Can Be Victims, Too - Eastern Middle School
Honorable Mention - I Promise - Paint Branch High School
Honorable Mention - False Reflections - Rockville High School
2020
1st Place and Fan Favorite - "I'm the Victim" - Northwood High School 
2nd Place - "He Loves Me" - Roberto Clemente Middle School 
3rd Place - "Our Memories" - Richard Montgomery High School 
Honorable Mention - "Distraction" - Eastern Middle School 
Honorable Mention - "Excuses" - Poolesville High School

 

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.

Organization: MCPS Division of School Leadership and Improvement

Choose Respect PSA Contest 2026 Deadline: February 15, 2026 The 2025-2026 Choose Respect Video Contest is open! Enter Today! This contest challenges MS and HS students to create an original 60-second video in English or Spanish to promote awareness of dating violence/abuse among teens. Participants are encouraged to be creative! Students who submit a quality video entry to the contest will earn 10 SSL Hours. Video entries illustrating child abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, and adult domestic violence will NOT be accepted. Students will be awarded SSL hours in April of 2025 if their submission has met all of the requirements of the contest. Students SHOULD NOT complete Form 560-51 for this opportunity. Who can enter? All 6th - 12th grade students living in Montgomery County can enter.  Students can enter the contest on their own or as a group; however, students may only participate in ONE entry. If a student in any way participates in more than one video, all of those entries will be disqualified. 

Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026

Entry Rules (download rules):   All submissions must have a title.
• All submissions must be in either English or Spanish.
• All submissions must be 50-70 seconds in length.
• All submissions must be uploaded to Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, or similar program.
• You will then have to provide us with the link via our Online Contest Submission Form (available at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fjc/chooserespect/video.html)
• All submissions must address at least one of the following as it relates to dating violence:
• Physical abuse, emotional/verbal abuse, types of technological abuse, financial abuse or issues around consent.
• Examples of healthy behaviors in a relationship.
• Bystander intervention (how to step in and help a friend who is being abused).
• All submissions must include the Montgomery County Family Justice Center - 240-773-0444 as the resource where victims of domestic violence and dating abuse can get help.
• Submissions must reflect careful planning, thoughtful insight into the material presented, and accurate and thorough coverage of the content.
• Submissions may NOT include ANY copyrighted music, audio/video clips, characters, logos, or other protected material. Videos may include music only if it is considered “open source” music, or if it is composed and played by a student (or students) in the group.


Evaluation and Prizes: All submissions will be reviewed by a judging panel, with cash prizes going to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, and Honorable Mention prizes going to 4th and 5th place. A “Fan Favorite” will also be selected from the Top 5 via public vote during the month of March, and will receive an additional prize. The winning videos will be announced at RespectFest on March 15, 2026. Winning students must participate in the Spring event.

To Enter:  1. Create your video, and make sure it follows all of the rules listed above. 2. Upload your video to Google Drive (ENABLE THE SHARING OPTION), Dropbox, YouTube, or similar program. 3. Fill out this Online PSA Contest Submission Form.  
Check out previous winners for inspiration!

2025

1st Place- "Break the Silence"- Northwood High School 

2nd Place- "Know the Difference"- Montgomery Blair High School 

3rd Place- "Love Shouldn't Hurt"- Albert Einstein High School 

Honorable Mention & Fan Favorite- "Love is like Paper"- Eastern Middle School"

Honorable Mention- " What I Loved Most"- MLK Middle School 

2024

1st Place- "Warning Signs"- Ridgeview Middle School 
2nd Place- "Does your Partner Love You"- North Bethesda Middle School  
3rd Place- "Beyond the Surface:Understanding Dating Violence"-Winston Churchill High School 
Honorable Mention- "PSA with Blur (A Guide to Safe Dating)"- Damascus High School

2023

1st Place:  Broken Pieces - Poolesville High School

2nd Place:  If You Love Your Partner - MLK Jr. Middle School

3rd Place: It’s All Your Fault - Northwest High School

Honorable Mention and Fan Favorite: Lessons Learned - Watkins Mill HS, Springbrook HS, and Blake HS

Honorable Mention: The Signs Were Always There - Churchill High School

2022
1st Place - "Not My Fault" - MLK Jr. Middle School
2nd Place and Fan Favorite - "High School Simulator" - Einstein High School
3rd Place - "Words do Hurt" - Shady Grove Middle School
Honorable Mention - "Dating Shouldn't Hurt" - Julius West Middle School
Honorable Mention - "It's Fine" - Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School

2021

1st Place and Fan Favorite - Love Should Never Hurt - Poolesville High School / Takoma Park Middle School
2nd Place - Boys Will Be Boys - Martin Luther King, Jr., Middle School
3rd Place - Guys Can Be Victims, Too - Eastern Middle School
Honorable Mention - I Promise - Paint Branch High School
Honorable Mention - False Reflections - Rockville High School
2020
1st Place and Fan Favorite - "I'm the Victim" - Northwood High School 
2nd Place - "He Loves Me" - Roberto Clemente Middle School 
3rd Place - "Our Memories" - Richard Montgomery High School 
Honorable Mention - "Distraction" - Eastern Middle School 
Honorable Mention - "Excuses" - Poolesville High School

 

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.

Organization: MCPS Division of School Leadership and Improvement

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Runs Until Feb 15, 2026

Allow Groups: No


Volunteer: The UpCounty Hub- Distribution Volunteer Needed- 2025 (MLK MS)

The UpCounty Hub is serving families in need. We provide fresh produce, shelf stable foods, emergency and hygiene items, activity kits for kids and some social services for the families that we serve.

Volunteer duties vary from loading boxes into the cars or taking data.

Distribution days and times vary depending on the week.  Please sign up for the day and time that works best for you. Please arrive at 9:15am to check in with distribution staff.

Please reach out to Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org with any questions about our volunteer opportunities and/or safety measures. 

If court mandated hours are needed please contact us for further information.*

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.

Organization: The UpCounty Hub

The UpCounty Hub is serving families in need. We provide fresh produce, shelf stable foods, emergency and hygiene items, activity kits for kids and some social services for the families that we serve.

Volunteer duties vary from loading boxes into the cars or taking data.

Distribution days and times vary depending on the week.  Please sign up for the day and time that works best for you. Please arrive at 9:15am to check in with distribution staff.

Please reach out to Janice at joconnor@theupcountyhub.org with any questions about our volunteer opportunities and/or safety measures. 

If court mandated hours are needed please contact us for further information.*

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.

Organization: The UpCounty Hub

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Multiple Shifts Available

Zip Code: 20874

Allow Groups: Yes


Volunteer: Create COVID-19 Care Packages (follows social distancing & CDC recommendations)

We need your help! We are collecting items for seniors and vulnerable populations. You can help by creating care packages from the security of your own home and safely dropping items at our locations:
• Canned soups and other dry and canned foods
• Gift cards to Giant or Safeway
• Socks, hats, gloves and toiletries (especially important for the upcoming winter months)
• Large-font activity books like sudoku
• Diapers and baby wipes
• Sanitizing supplies
• Un-opened food to be cooked for 120 homeless neighbors served nightly by our Grate Patrol Program
• Donate online: https://give.virginiasalvationarmy.org/

Drop Off Information

Please leave donated goods outside the front door and call, text, or email 202-345-2238 or angela.soriano@uss.salvationarmy.org, indicating the location where you are. We will check for drop-off regularly, too. We are receiving donations 9am - 4pm, Monday - Friday at all locations:

DC
• 3335 Sherman Avenue, NW
• 2300 MLK Jr. Avenue, SE

Maryland
• 20021 Aircraft Drive, Germantown
• 4825 Edmonston Avenue, Hyattville

Virginia
• 1804 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria
• 518 South Glebe Road, Arlington
• 4915 Ox Road, Fairfax
• 1483 Old Bridge Rd, Ste 102, Woodbridge

Safety First

Safety is paramount. Please follow these precautions:
• Do not purchase items or prepare and drop-off care packages if anyone in your home is sick.
• While packaging and dropping of goods, wash hands frequently and avoid touching your face.
• During drop-off please leave food at the front and follow social distancing procedures.
• Donated items must be unopened and not expired.

Questions? Contact Angela, Volunteer and Donation Drive Manager
Angela.Soriano@uss.salvationarmy.org or 202-345-2238

 

Organization: The Salvation Army - National Capital Area Command

We need your help! We are collecting items for seniors and vulnerable populations. You can help by creating care packages from the security of your own home and safely dropping items at our locations:
• Canned soups and other dry and canned foods
• Gift cards to Giant or Safeway
• Socks, hats, gloves and toiletries (especially important for the upcoming winter months)
• Large-font activity books like sudoku
• Diapers and baby wipes
• Sanitizing supplies
• Un-opened food to be cooked for 120 homeless neighbors served nightly by our Grate Patrol Program
• Donate online: https://give.virginiasalvationarmy.org/

Drop Off Information

Please leave donated goods outside the front door and call, text, or email 202-345-2238 or angela.soriano@uss.salvationarmy.org, indicating the location where you are. We will check for drop-off regularly, too. We are receiving donations 9am - 4pm, Monday - Friday at all locations:

DC
• 3335 Sherman Avenue, NW
• 2300 MLK Jr. Avenue, SE

Maryland
• 20021 Aircraft Drive, Germantown
• 4825 Edmonston Avenue, Hyattville

Virginia
• 1804 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria
• 518 South Glebe Road, Arlington
• 4915 Ox Road, Fairfax
• 1483 Old Bridge Rd, Ste 102, Woodbridge

Safety First

Safety is paramount. Please follow these precautions:
• Do not purchase items or prepare and drop-off care packages if anyone in your home is sick.
• While packaging and dropping of goods, wash hands frequently and avoid touching your face.
• During drop-off please leave food at the front and follow social distancing procedures.
• Donated items must be unopened and not expired.

Questions? Contact Angela, Volunteer and Donation Drive Manager
Angela.Soriano@uss.salvationarmy.org or 202-345-2238

 

Organization: The Salvation Army - National Capital Area Command

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 20874

Allow Groups: Yes