240.777.2600

May 2024

MAY18 OPPORTUNITY! Volunteer Resource Fair

Interfaith Works is hosting this fair to attract volunteers for exciting program opportunities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. Registration is free AND required in advance: Register Here.

Our Inspiring Volunteers!

This time, every year, Montgomery County residents vote on the most outstanding volunteers of the past year. Their stories and what they do inspire everyone. See below for an update on our 2024 Montgomery Serves awards.

—From the Volunteer Center Staff

Drumroll, please! The following have been selected from a host of outstanding volunteers to be honored with the top awards for service in Montgomery County. They will receive the awards at a ceremony to be held June 25, 2024, at Asbury Methodist Village. Click here for more information about this event.

Volunteer of the Year 

Wendy Kent, for her service and dedication to improving food security efforts in Montgomery County.

Youth Volunteer of the Year

Tejusu Vijay, for her innovative approach to promoting and developing STEM programs like the English Language Learner Robotics Club and organizing competitions and coding opportunities among girls.

Volunteer Group of the Year  

AmeriCorps Seniors/AARP Tax-Aide Program of Montgomery County, for over 50 years of service offering free tax preparation services to Montgomery County residents. (See below for their 2024 statistics!)

Business Volunteer of the Year

The Monitor Group LLC, for its partnership and service to local nonprofits such as the Personal Care Foundation, So What Else?, and the Montgomery County Family Justice Center Foundation.

Neal Potter Path of Achievement Award (for lifetime service by residents age 60 and up)

Bruce Adams, for his long-standing dedication to supporting several causes, dozens of local nonprofits, and developing youth leaders in Montgomery County.

Mary Canapary, for her leadership at The Lord’s Table for over 40 years.

Roscoe R. Nix Distinguished Community Leadership Award

Catherine Leggett, for her dedication to promoting the arts and humanities and supporting underrepresented communities.

Joyce Siegal, for her commitment to advocating for equal rights and fair housing in Montgomery County.

Greg Wims, for commitment to supporting victims of violent crimes and for being a voice in underserved communities.

Inez Zeigler McAbee & William Harvey Zeigler Humanitarian Award

Warren Fleming, for his continuous devotion to improving the lives of others through community activism. 

2024 Montgomery County Tax-Aide Statistics (WOW!)

• Appointments: 3,057 made by phone; 1,747 online
• Sites Open: 18, including 15 public and three at retirement communities
• Federal Returns Filed: 4,379
• State Returns Filed: 4,366
• Earned Income Credits: $375,659
• Child Tax Credits: $447,341
• Total Refunds Claimed: $3,816,611
• Plus, Homeowner and Renter Tax Credit forms completed for those qualified.

B-CC Meals on Wheels is seeking volunteers 18 years and older for weekly meal delivery. Interested volunteers can also assist with scheduling, and administrative support as needed. Volunteers deliver meals to people who are elderly, physically challenged, recovering from illness or surgery or simply unable to shop or prepare meals for themselves. The group has been delivering meals to people in need since 1973.

B-CC's area includes Chevy Chase, Bethesda and Potomac. Meal delivery is typically from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekdays. Drivers deliver five to 11 sets of meals (one box lunch and one frozen dinner) to homes and apartments on one of 6 routes in the area. Each route takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Volunteers sign up for one day a week, generally for the same day and route each week. They work individually or in teams of two—one driving and one delivering to the door. 

Bringing food to people is joyous! For more information and instructions for volunteering, visit the MontgomeryServes website or www.b-ccmealsonwheels.org. You can also leave a message on the B-CC Meals on Wheels office phone at 301-654-4610.

A QUICK SSL REMINDER!

Summer is just around the corner. Check out volunteer opportunities to meet your SSL requirements on the MontgomeryServes website.

Sandy Smith hosts Make A Difference, a show about how volunteers make a difference every day in Montgomery County. In the April episode, Sandy continues her conversation with Dr. Gilberto Zelaya, the community engagement/ public relations officer from the Montgomery County Board of Elections, about volunteer opportunities for adults. For more information, visit the Board's website. You can view the interview here. The full Make a Difference series is available on Montgomery County Cable TV.

Student Opportunities: Last month, Make a Difference featured the Future Vote volunteer program for students in grades 6-12. Visit MontgomeryServes for more information and registration instructions. View the interview with Dr. Zelaya here.

In celebration of Volunteer Appreciation Week, the Volunteer Center hosted a thank-you gathering in honor of our volunteer super staff. The event provided a fun opportunity for team members to meet with each other, some for the first time. 😊

New opportunities are posted often on the Volunteer Center website—MontgomeryServes—and there are many ways to search. You can try different combinations of filters to find the best volunteer fit for you. And share exciting links and opportunities with others.

Here is a set of quick links for more information:

Search for Volunteer Opportunities

Student Service Learning - SSL

50+ Volunteer Network

Volunteer Opportunities for Groups

Search by Organization

Court - Ordered Service

Days of Service (including MLK Day and much more)