Know of something missing from our volunteer listings? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
Assist with a day camp program for middle and high school students identified with special needs from run Dec. 26-29. It takes place at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. 2nd St., Arlington. The program hours would be 9 a.m.-6 p.m. but are not required to work an entire day. Times are flexible. Roles would include assisting with set up, clean up, and assisting participants to engage in activities fully. Activities to include trips, arts and crafts, music, exercise, etc. A meeting prior to the start of camp. Date, location, and time to be determined. Must be comfortable working with individuals with disabilities. Contact Michael Swisher, TR Programmer, at 703-228-4738.
Cheerful Holiday Helpers are needed to help Wesley Housing provide a special Christmas holiday for low-income families in Northern Virginia. Our Whitefield Commons Community Resource Center in Arlington will be hosting its annual community holiday party on Thursday, Dec. 21 from 6-8 p.m. Individuals or groups filled with the holiday spirit are needed to greet residents, setup, serve, and cleanup during the party. Santa’s helpers are also needed on Dec. 8 and 11 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Dec. 13 from 2-6 p.m. to wrap holiday gifts for the children who will attend the party. Adults, families, and youth are encouraged to volunteer for this opportunity. Contact Konovia Mikeal, Director Of Family Programs at 703-642-3830 ext. 211.
Elves will be taking pictures of children coming to see Santa at Ballston Mall while helping to raise money to help local charities. Elves should be over the age of 13. Spanish speaking if possible but not required. School service hour credit can be signed off. This opportunity is sponsored by Arlington Jaycees. Contact Leandra Finder, Community Development VP, 703-473-7245. Located at 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Visit www.varlingtonjaycees.org.
This is an opportunity to assist with an annual dance for individuals with disabilities on April 21 from 5:30-10 p.m. at 2121 N. Culpepper St., Arlington. This dance is open to the Virginia, Maryland, and D.C. area for those identified with special needs ages 18 and up. Duties would include at minimum set up and clean up. Additional duties could include registration, coat check, serving food, and assisting with activities. It would be important for volunteers to encourage participants to engage in all activities and to socialize with peers. Comfortable working with individuals with disabilities. A brief training. Date, time, and location to be determined. Contact Becky Suttell, TR Programmer at 703-228-4741.
Volunteer to help individuals with disabilities ages 3-14 to learn swimming and water safety skills. Assist with three back to back classes on the same day and at the same location. The classes will take place April 16-June 11 with the opportunity to volunteer on a continuous basis for this program (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall classes). The time and location are still to be determined. Mandatory training prior to beginning as a volunteer will include lectures and hands-on workshops. Contact Shaeron King, Therapeutic Recreation/Prevention Intervention Programmer at 703-228-4731.
Hoffman-Boston Elementary School, 1415 S. Queen St., Arlington, needs adult volunteers to work one-to-one with a first or second grade student struggling with reading for two mornings a week from 8:15-9:15. On-going support including training, lesson plans and all materials provided. Call Marty Maher, Book Buddies Co-ordinator, at 703-228-5845.
The Arlington 2006 Secret Santa program is seeking organizations and individuals to sponsor or “adopt” a family for the winter holiday season. Each year Secret Santa identifies more than 400 Arlington families in need of a holiday meal and gifts for family members. The program matches families nominated by Arlington social workers with donors who sign up with the Secret Santa Program to provide holiday gifts for family members. Donors can remain anonymous or deliver directly to the families. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between Thursday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 16. If you would like to become a Secret Santa this winter, contact the Secret Santa Hotline at secretsanta.arl@gmail.com. For questions and answers about the program visit the Arlington Interfaith Council at www.arlingtonva-interfaith-council.org.
The Knights of Columbus of Arlington, are searching for volunteers to help serve Thanksgiving meals to the needy, shut-ins and those alone at home. Volunteers are needed at the Councils activities Hall, 5115 Little Falls Road in Arlington on Thanksgiving Day from 2-3:30 p.m. Turkeys are also needed. Call 703-241-1415 for more information.
Have the chance to influence a child's life by volunteering in one of our classrooms. Assist our wonderful teachers with day-to-day learning and fun. The children are three- and four-year-olds attending classes at Child & Family Network Center's preschools in Arlington. Spend time with the children in the classroom doing science projects, coloring, finger-painting, and other activities. Must be 18 years or older. Contact Patricia Chapman, Volunteer Coordinator, 703-836-0214 or visit www.cfnc-online.org.
Volunteers at family roller skating nights help with skate rentals, work as skate "traffic cops" and sell food from the concession stand. The family roller skating series will be held every Saturday night from Oct. 21 through April 14, 2007 from 6-9 p.m. at 3501 S. 2nd St., Arlington. Teen volunteers may also stay and participate in the "teen only" skate nights from 9-11 p.m. Volunteers will receive an orientation on the first night they work. Contact Kevin Clements 703-228-4729 or visit www.co.arlington.va.us/prcr.
Are you looking for enjoyable volunteer experiences, but just don’t have the time to commit? Join Volunteers for Change, a unique volunteer program for adults, featuring a flexible calendar of fun weekend and weekday evening projects to fit your busy schedule. The only commitment needed is a one-time orientation at Volunteer Fairfax’s office in central Fairfax. Upcoming orientations will be held:
* Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2-3 p.m.
* Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
* Sunday, Jan. 7 from 2-3 p.m.
* Thursday, Jan. 11 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
After orientation, volunteers can choose from more than 45 monthly community service projects throughout Northern Virginia. Contact Ann Doyle to register for the next orientation at 703-246-3460 ext. 2,2 or e-mail to adoyle@volunteerfairfax.org. Visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.
Doorways for Women and Families provides a safe, weekly, confidential domestic violence support group. The support group helps current and former victims of domestic violence share feelings, thoughts and information to make healthy life choices and end abuse. For more information call 703-237-0881. Meetings are held Tuesdays.
Volunteer Emergency Families For Children (VEFC) needs volunteers willing to open their homes and provide short term (1-21 days) emergency shelter to local children who are victims of abuse, neglect, etc. Volunteers can choose the age, gender, and length of stay for each placement. Call 703-969-3795 or email MMiller@VEFC.org. Visit us on the web at: www.VEFC.org.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to assist its blood collections staff at blood drives and blood donor centers. Volunteers will assist with providing a high level of customer service to donors, and with caring for donors in the refreshment area after the donation process. This position is offered to people who are 14 or older. Training is provided. A commitment of two or more blood operations each month is requested. Blood drives last 4.5-6 hours and are held daily throughout the Potomac area. To register for training, please call the American Red Cross Volunteer Office at 1-800-272-0094, ext 1, or e-mail karlofft@usa.redcross.org.
"Voices of Children” Volunteer Project. This volunteer opportunity requires: a commitment to 8 weekly therapeutic groups for two hours; an interest in learning about group work with children; Lots of patience and a sense of humor. Contact the Arlington County Volunteer Office at 703-228-1760 or visit www.volunteersolutions.org/acvo.
The Opera Guild of Northern Virginia needs help archiving historical documents and organizing the history of the guild. Contact the Arlington County Volunteer Office at 703-228-1760 or visit www.volunteersolutions.org/acvo.
Four to six volunteers are needed to tutor Latino day laborers on basic English. Many of the day laborers who come to the Shirlington Employment & Education Center (SEEC) are looking for work, but do not speak or understand English. Contact the Arlington County Volunteer Office at 703-228-1760 or visit www.volunteersolutions.org/acvo.
The Alexandria/Arlington Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is seeking volunteers to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. Volunteers conduct interviews with children, families, and professionals, monitor compliance with court orders, write detailed reports, and represent the best interests of the child in court. Volunteers must complete training and background checks. Volunteers commit to one year with the program. Bilingual volunteers (Spanish/English) are greatly needed. Training begins in late February. Call 703-820-9001 or visit http://www.scanva.org.
Cherry Valley Park Invasive Plant Removal. A great way to get outside and help control invasive plants taking over Cherry Valley Park. Visit http://offices.ext.vt.edu/arlington. For more information on this and other volunteer opportunities, contact the Arlington County Volunteer Office at 703-228-1760 or visit their website at www.volunteersolutions.org/acvo.
The Auxiliary of the Virginia Hospital Center-Arlington, 1701 N. George Mason Drive, Arlington, VA 22205, has openings for volunteers in a variety of patient services, daytime and weekends. Call June Breen at 703-620-2944.
Crisislink, the greater Washington region's only 24/7 crisis, suicide and trauma prevention, intervention and response hotline, is seeking volunteers to take calls and respond directly to individuals in need on a suicide and crisis hotline. Prospective volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Training starts April 22. Visit the Web site and complete the online application. Call 703-527-6016 or visit www.crisislink.org.
Leadership Arlington is looking for leaders who have a strong commitment to strengthening and building the community. This program provides an opportunity for people to enhance leadership skills and broaden their knowledge of issues and opportunities facing Arlington County. The deadline for applicants is noon, Monday, May 15. Call 703-528-2522 or visit www.leadershiparlington.org.
The Alexandria/Arlington Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program is seeking volunteers to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. Volunteers conduct interviews with children, families, and professionals, monitor compliance with court orders, write detailed reports, and represent the best interests of the child in court. Volunteers must complete training and background checks. Volunteers commit to one year with the program. Bilingual volunteers (Spanish/English) are greatly needed. Training begins in late February. Call 703-820-9001 or visit www.scanva.org.
World Heritage Student Exchange program is seeking local host families for high school boys and girls from Spain, France, Germany, Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland, Denmark and Italy. Students are already awaiting word on their host family for the 2006-2007 academic school year. host families provide room, board and guidance for a teenager living thousands of miles from home. Call 800-888-9040 or visit www.world-heritage.org.
Volunteer Emergency Families for Children is looking for volunteer families to provide temporary shelter for children. Training provided Call Marybeth Miller at 703-969-3795 or visit www.vefc.org.
Foster Care Informational Meeting- Adolescent and Family Growth Center Inc. will be open from 5-7 p.m. to give an overview of Treatment Foster Care with AFGC. Social Workers will be available to speak with anyone interested in foster parenting. Come find out more about foster care in Northern Virginia. Call 703-425-9200 or visit www.afgcinc.com.
The Arlington County Chapter of the American Red Cross has received a $5,923 grant on behalf of the ExxonMobil Employees’ Favorite Charities Campaign to fund local disaster relief services as well as the other programs of the Arlington Chapter, including emergency communications for military families, international tracing services and Eldercare, a medical appointment and grocery shopping transportation program for senior citizens.
These programs are designed to assist families with immediate emergency needs following a disaster such as a house fire. Victims of such disasters are provided with temporary housing, replacement of urgent medical supplies, food and clothing, depending on their unique emergency needs. Emergency communications from local families with loved ones serving in the U.S. military are provided when there is an urgent need such as a serious illness or death in the family. All emergency services are provided around the clock and around the world. International tracing services connect families separated by war or conflict. Volunteer drivers in the Eldercare program take mobility-challenged senior citizens to medical appointments and to local groceries. Employees and Exxon Mobil Corporation contributed over $1,900,000 to support hundreds of different non-profit organizations.
Northern Virginia AIDS Ministry is recruiting volunteers to be a friend and a mentor to a child affected/infected by HIV/AIDS. NOVAM matches a qualified adult with a child to spend time together doing fun things like movies, museums, biking, etc. twice a month. There are 15 children on the waiting list waiting. Only four hours of volunteers' time a month. The Pals Mentoring Program is a great way to make a difference in a child’s life. Email jbeddoe@novam.org. Volunteers must be 21 years or older, have their own transportation and complete an application process. Training is required.