<hdr15>Volunteering
<lst>Services for the Visually Impaired is seeking new volunteers interested in helping Northern Virginia residents with reading mail, grocery shopping and other everyday tasks. Those interested can attend an orientation Jan. 14 from 10 a.m.- noon at 8720 Georgia Ave., Ste. 210, Silver Spring, Md. Call Gail Snider at 301-589-0894 or email gsnider@servicesvi.org.
Kidsave aims to increase the awareness of the plight of orphaned children and give children the chance to meet families who can change their lives. Over the past six years, more than 90 percent of the children have been adopted by families they met while in the U.S. for their summer camp experience. Visit www.kidsave.org, contact the Kidsave Volunteer Coordinator, Alla Kamins with questions at 571-243-1897 or e-mail her at alla@global.t-bird.edu
Great Falls Historical Society members and others from our community are invited to nominate individuals for the first Jean Tibetts History Award. Any person who has contributed through publications and lectures to the understanding of the history of our northern Virginia region is an eligible nominee. Nominations should include a brief resume of the person, a listing of leading publications and other scholarly accomplishments and a summary of the sigificance of the nominee's overall record of contributions. Send nominations to PO Box 56, Great Falls, Va. 22066 by Jan. 15. Call 703-759-3796.
Angels of Mercy Program is asking scout, school and church groups to collect new or used CDs and DVDs for its program supporting wounded military at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and at hospitals in Iraq. Call Marian at 703-938-8930 or visit www.McLeanPost270.org/oifoef.
Share, Inc., an all-volunteer McLean-based non-profit that provides help to needy individuals and families, needs volunteers to prepare schedules for furniture pick-ups and deliveries. Schedulers work one week at a time in rotation; work is done at home using telephone and computer. A scheduler must be proficient with e-mail and MSWord, attentive to details, and willing to work several hours during the week in which he or she is on duty. Email iauerbach@cox.net.
The Junior League of Northern Virginia is accepting new members for the 2005-2006 League year. They are looking for women to make an impact in the community. Email mit@jlnv.org or call 703-442-4163 or visit www.jlnv.org. Membership applications and dues must be received by December 15 in order to join the Winter class. The Junior League of Northern VA is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
Odyssey HealthCare, 8381 Old Courthouse Road, Sider, is seeking volunteers, men and women who are dedicated to creating a safe haven for all who are affected by the end of life's journey. Hospice volunteers need no special skills and will receive specialized training in the care of and communication with the terminally ill and their families.
Volunteers are needed for about an hour each week, to provide companionship, such as reading, talking, writing letters for the patient, holding hands or watching television. Other tasks might be to run errands, perform light housework or prepare a simple meal. Volunteers can also do clerical work in our office or service on our Bereavement Team. Volunteers are not required to do any lifting and the visits are flexible according to your schedule. Call 703-821-9200.
Make a difference in a child’s life and become a mentor with CHAMPS. Mentors in this program are volunteers who provide children of prisoners in Northern Virginia with friendship, recreational activities and constructive example. Contact Ellen Klene at 703-533-3302 Ext. 107 or eklene@cmhs.org for more information.
Fairfax Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is recruiting community-minded citizens from diverse backgrounds to volunteer as advocates for children whose families have been cited for abuse and neglect by the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The role of a CASA is to investigate a child’s situation and to advocate for what is in the best interest of the child in court. All CASA volunteers undergo training to prepare them for this role, and no prior experience in child welfare is required. Visit www.casafairfax.org or contact the Fairfax CASA’s Recruitment & Training Manager at 703-273-3526 or staff@casafairfax.org.
The Great Falls Optimist Club is a child-centered non-profit organization that focuses its activities on supporting, encouraging and challenging children to reach greater heights. A voluntary organization, the club is always interested in welcoming new members and volunteers. Among the many annual projects sponsored by the club are the Fall Festival and Fourth of July event in Great Falls. In addition, the club has raised funds for: providing local learning centers with mentoring support, money and equipment to address the needs of learning and emotionally challenged students; supporting local youth and sport groups through donations; providing local families with needed meals and gifts during the holidays; contributing to Special Olympics, Operation Smile, a floating dental charity performing plastic surgery for children of third world countries, and Habitat for Humanity; supporting the Analemma Society in its efforts to establish an astronomical education facility at Turner Farm Park; contributing to Turner Farm Park; honoring local police and emergency personnel; and much more.
If interested in joining the Great Falls Optimist Club or volunteering at specific events, contact T.R. Cook, president, at 703-938-5885 or cooksphotoart@aol.com, or Angela Bongiorno, membership co-chair, at 703-759-2925 or angela.bongiorno@verizon.net.
Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League (MAGDRL) is looking for good homes for orphan Great Danes. MAGDRL is a nine-state, all-volunteer organization that is funded solely by grants, donations and fund-raisers. They use those funds to restore sick Great Dane orphans to health and find adoptive home for rescued Great Danes from New York to North Carolina. In addition, their volunteers host educational events and provide support for current Great Dane owners by suggesting counseling and training that may help them keep their dogs. MAGDRL has Great Danes available for adoption that are already spayed/neutered and up-to-date on vaccines. Our orphans range in age from puppies to seniors. The adoption fee is $300 for orphans under 1 year and $275 for those over 1 year. Fencing is required, and MAGDRL will work with applicants to find a good fit for their lifestyle and their family. To offer a home for a Great Dane or to volunteer, visit www.magdrl.org or call 703-644-8009.