April opportunities
The Volunteer Center of Anne Arundel County reminds residents that National Volunteer Week and Global Youth Service Day and Earth Day all occur in April. Opportunities include Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay activities, the National Electronics Museum Robot Fest, Greenscape in Annapolis and the SPCA's Annual Walk for the Animals. For more information, visit http://www.volunteerannearundel.org/SpecialEvents.
Arundel Lodge
Arundel Lodge, a community mental health center serving mentally ill adults, needs volunteers who know sign language to interpret for deaf clients. Interpreters are needed 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday-Thursday or any time within those hours. To volunteer or for more information, call Ann Jackson at 443-433-5942 or email ajackson@arundellodge.org.
Blood drives
The American Red Cross needs volunteers 14 and older (some positions 18 and older) to greet donors, provide customer service and serve refreshments. Interested persons must complete an application and attend an orientation/training session. Those older than 18 require a background check. Information: 410-764-4602, ext. 1; 800-272-0094, ext. 1; or myredcross.org.
Cats R Us Inc.
This no-kill facility, which operates small shelters in the Annapolis and Arnold areas, seeks volunteers to provide foster homes. Also, volunteers 8 and older are needed to assist with cleaning the shelters, attending adoption shows at PetSmart in Annapolis, making home deliveries and sitting with cats. Training is provided for shelter and adoption workers. Information: 410-263-1719 or catsrus.petfinder.com.
Dyslexia tutoring
Volunteers are needed to tutor low-income children and adults with dyslexia and other language-based disorders. Volunteers should have a high school diploma, good language skills, patience, a willingness to understand people with language disabilities and the desire to help someone who wants to learn to read. Volunteer tutors are trained during a 20-hour course in the Orton-Gillingham method of teaching reading, spelling and writing. They are subject to a criminal background check and must commit to 60 hours of tutoring. Information: 410-889-5487.
Greyhound Welfare
Volunteers 21 and older are needed by Greyhound Welfare to help with public outreach, the newsletter, screening adoption applications, adoption follow-up, dog transport, planning and implementing fundraising events and donation drives, ordering supplies, writing routine correspondence, picking up donations, coordinating veterinary care, fostering a greyhound during the transition period before an adoptive home is found, and more. Information: 301-949-0615 or greyhoundwelfare.org.
Habitat for Humanity
Volunteers are needed at the Arundel and Baltimore ReStores for sales, stocking and receiving merchandise, picking up donations, answering phones and other duties. People are needed who can help weekly, biweekly or monthly. Information: chesapeakerestore.org.
Hearts & Homes for Youth
Volunteers 18 and older are needed for tutoring, mentoring, internships, renovation projects, recreation sponsors, office assistance and beautification projects. The organization helps troubled children and youths who are abused, neglected or runaways to become independent and productive. Information: 301-589-8444, ext. 212.
Light House Shelter
Volunteers 18 and older are needed for a variety of duties associated with the food program, children's program, cleaning and maintenance, office and administration, adult education programs and the overnight homeless program. Pro bono professionals are needed to serve the shelter and its clients with skills such as accounting, medicine, law and carpentry. Hours are flexible and training is provided. Information: 410-349-5056, ext. 14, or marshall@annapolislighthouse.org.
Wildlife sanctuary
Volunteers 18 and older who can commit to at least one morning per week are needed for animal care at the Davidsonville Wildlife Sanctuary, including feeding, watering and cleaning. Information: 410-798-0193.
