240.777.2600

March 2025

March Winds

No matter what challenges come our way, our community remains a place of strength, resilience and connection. We continue to support one another and celebrate our shared humanity. Now more than ever, we encourage you to find ways to connect with your community to make a meaningful difference. Together, we remain hopeful, engaged and committed to lifting each other up. 

—From the Volunteer Center Staff

Volunteer Fair: One-stop Shop for Great Opportunities on March 4

If you are looking for a longer-term volunteer opportunity that offers an ongoing relationship with a local organization, make sure to attend the Volunteer Fair for professionals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4. Sign up here for the event that takes place that day at the Nancy H. Dacek North Potomac Community Recreation Center in Rockville.

Twenty-six organizations will be there for interested volunteers to meet and discuss the goals and skills needed. These organizations work in everything from hunger to disabilities to civic engagement and more. They are looking for a broad range of skills such, as writing grant proposals, taking pictures, writing articles and providing legal advice and medical knowledge.

“It is the chance for people to use their professional skills in a meaningful way and give back to the community,” said Alison McLaughlin, senior manager of alumni engagement with award-winning nonprofit Leadership Montgomery. Many don't realize how needed and impactful their skills can be.

Volunteer Fairs help everyone looking for a match of needs with skills. The idea for this fair arose in a collaboration meeting with the three organizations staging the event: Leadership Montgomery, Montgomery County Recreation and the Montgomery County Volunteer Center.  

-Alex Ferguson

March is Women's History Month

We celebrate Women’s History Month in March to honor and recognize the incredible contributions of women throughout history. It coincides with International Women's Day on March 8.

This month, we reflect on the achievements, resilience and leadership of women who have shaped every aspect of society, from politics and science to art and social justice. Notable figures like Susan B. Anthony, who fought for women's suffrage, and Marie Curie, a two-time Nobel prize-winning scientist, remind us of the lasting impact women have made on our world. Women’s History Month not only highlights their remarkable accomplishments but also provides an opportunity to address ongoing challenges for women. 



First celebrated in 1981 as Women’s History Week, this annual salute to women became a month-long observance in 1987. By sharing the stories of women from all walks of life, we remember the importance of continued support for empowerment, equality and opportunity for women everywhere.

-Erica Joo

Here are two great volunteer opportunities for Women's History Month and beyond:

Mentor a High School Girl

Empower a young woman and make a difference: Become a Community Bridges (CB) mentor! They match professional women with CB girls in Montgomery County to foster growth, explore post-secondary education and discuss important topics like social justice and healthy relationships.

Advocate for Homeless Women & Children

Earn SSL hours and make a difference with Grace Helping Hands by advocating for homeless women and children! Montgomery County Public Schools students can participate in a writing campaign to secure donation for toiletry and hygiene products donations from local legislators, businesses and manufacturers.

Montgomery Serves Awards Nominations Open March 1

Nominations for the 2025 Montgomery Serves Awards (MSAs) open on Saturday, March 1. The MSAs are the County's highest honors for volunteerism, awarded annually.



If you know of individuals, businesses, or groups that have gone above and beyond to serve our community in 2024, please consider nominating them. We are also looking for nominations for people aged 60 and older who have dedicated their lives to volunteer service.

The categories for the awards are as follows:

• Volunteer of the Year: Recognizing an individual for outstanding volunteer service performed in 2024.
• Youth Volunteer of the Year: Awarded to a volunteer aged 18 or younger for their service in 2024.
• Volunteer Group of the Year: Recognizing a group or team of two or more individuals who volunteered together on the same project(s) in 2024.
• Business Volunteer of the Year: Awarded to a corporation for its community service in 2024.
• Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award: Presented to two residents aged 60 and older in honor of their lifetime of volunteer service.
• Inez Zeigler McAbee and William Harvey Zeigler Humanitarian Award: Honoring those who unite and bring about positive change for all people.

To learn more or submit a nomination, visit the Awards page at www.MontgomeryServes.org. A panel will review the nominations submitted and select the honorees, who will be honored at an awards ceremony in June. Click here to check out the honorees from 2024!

The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 28. Questions? Email serviceawards@montgomerycountymd.gov or call the Montgomery County Volunteer Center at 240-777-2600.

Make a Difference: Supporting Caregivers

Tune in on or after March 3 for the latest episode of Make A Difference and see host Florence Jewell highlight the work of two inspiring women making a difference in Montgomery County: Ruth Kershner and Kate Chance. 

Ms. Kershner is the program manager for the National Family Caregiver Support Program and the Dementia Friendly Community initiative. In Montgomery County, where 12 percent of seniors on Medicare have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, this organization and initiative promote an age-friendly environment. 

Ms. Chance serves as the interfaith community liaison for the Office of Community Partnerships, leading efforts in the county recognized as the most diverse in the United States. Faith groups are vital in supporting vulnerable community members, including those with dementia.

Make a Difference is shown on YouTube and broadcast on County Cable Montgomery (Comcast/RCN 6 HD 996/1056 Verizon 30), where you can check out past episodes, too.