Volunteer Program

The Columbia Council has given preliminary approval to a plan to expand the Columbia Association's Volunteer Corps into a countywide program, but decided to get legal advice before formalizing the deal. At the urging of Councilman Steven Pine of Kings Contrivance, the council voted unanimously Thursday to seek a legal opinion on whether expanding the volunteer program could increase the CA's risk of getting sued. But Pine and the rest of the council indicated they would probably support the plan even if CA's lawyers find it poses some level of risk.

Terri Stafford used to take Lulu, her border collie mix, to medical facilities as part of a Baltimore-based volunteer program that enabled her to share her beloved pet's affection with others in need of it. "We did that for several years until Lulu got too sick" with cancer, said Stafford, a retired registered nurse who lives in Baltimore County. "Toward the end, when Lulu wasn't feeling well, she spent a lot of time hiding in the closet. But I'd say, 'Lulu, let's go visiting.' And she'd come running out and jump in the car. She loved it. "I also used to enjoy the way people would light up when I would bring Lulu to visit them," Stafford said.

A summer journey to India for three girls from an inner-city Baltimore school began simply, in an after-school club that devoted itself to helping other people. The club at Baltimore Talent Development High School raised money to buy mittens for preschoolers in a nearby Head Start program. Christin Morris, Indigo McMillian and LaKeisha Johnson liked the surprised expression on the children's faces when they opened up the gift bags at Christmas. "I like helping people. It feels good to give back," said Christin, 15. From there they moved on to corresponding with students in Kenya by creating a scrapbook of their lives illustrated by photographs.

Department of Health Volunteers are needed to play different roles in a "Point of Distribution" emergency exercise being held 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 9. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To volunteer and for more information, call Karen Johnson at 410-222-0611. Bello Machre Organization providing homes for adults and children with developmental disabilities is offering a variety of volunteer opportunities that includes picking up pastry donations from Starbucks on Thursdays between 11 a..m.

Volunteer's work: Vy Lynch calls on skills she sharpened as a legal secretary when she volunteers in the office of the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging's Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).Ms. Lynch, a longtime Glen Burnie resident, works in the office about once a week for several hours performing tasks such as record-keeping, filing and letter-writing.In addition to her office duties, she is the treasurer of the RSVP advisory council.The volunteer program provides opportunities for seniors to use skills and experience -- developed throughout their careers -- in volunteer work.

Terri Stafford used to take Lulu, her border collie mix, to medical facilities as part of a Baltimore-based volunteer program that enabled her to share her beloved pet's affection with others in need of it. "We did that for several years until Lulu got too sick" with cancer, said Stafford, a retired registered nurse who lives in Baltimore County. "Toward the end, when Lulu wasn't feeling well, she spent a lot of time hiding in the closet. But I'd say, 'Lulu, let's go visiting.' And she'd come running out and jump in the car. She loved it. "I also used to enjoy the way people would light up when I would bring Lulu to visit them," Stafford said.

Name: Ruth HoffmanAge: 79Activities/hobbies: Ruth Hoffman of Glen Burnie volunteers every Wednesday morning with the County Retired Senior Volunteer Program --Telephone Reassurance Program. She also sings with the "Notables," agroup of seniors from the Patapsco Valley Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons, who perform in the area at nursing homes and churches. She also enjoys crocheting and being with her familyand friends.Organization's comments: "She is always willing to fill in for other volunteers who help with Telephone Reassurance Program, in addition to working her regular schedule.

A Maryland program that promotes the marriage of historic preservation and tourism has been awarded a national preservation award. Maryland Heritage Areas was one of four winners of the Preserve America Presidential Awards, announced yesterday during a White House ceremony. The state program began in 1996 and has designated 13 heritage areas, stretching from Garrett County to the Lower Eastern Shore. The heritage areas are eligible to receive state grants and tax incentives for rehabilitation initiatives.

Area schools and literacy programs seek volunteers to help children and adults improve reading skills and to assist in related projects. Among them: Anne Arundel County's Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), reading tutors 55 and older to work with pupils in kindergarten through third grade at 12 elementary schools in Glen Burnie, Pasadena, Odenton, Annapolis, Arnold and in the southern part of the county. Tutors are asked to make a minimum commitment of one hour per week. Volunteers must agree to a background check by the county school system to participate in the program, operated by the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging.

Editor: So the illegal road signs will be taken down and the sign advertiser will receive a nasty letter. Horrors! Who's kidding whom? The signs have been illegal for years. Those printing them and installing them know that. They also know that there will be no enforcement. The only thing that will stop this will be severe penalties. Your article mentions that there will be a volunteer program to remove the signs. That's great as far as it goes. May I suggest that the state and/or county (depending on whether the sign was on a state or county road)

Editor: So the illegal road signs will be taken down and the sign advertiser will receive a nasty letter. Horrors! Who's kidding whom? The signs have been illegal for years. Those printing them and installing them know that. They also know that there will be no enforcement. The only thing that will stop this will be severe penalties. Your article mentions that there will be a volunteer program to remove the signs. That's great as far as it goes. May I suggest that the state and/or county (depending on whether the sign was on a state or county road)

When twin brothers Reid and Sam Shafley, 16, first tried to teach their younger brother Will to ride a bike, they thought it was hopeless. Will is considered to be in the autism spectrum, which makes some tasks difficult. "We had tried to teach him for many years, but we just couldn't get him to ride a bike," Reid said. Then their mother, Sue Ann Shafley, found Lose The Training Wheels, a small, nonprofit volunteer camp based in Virginia that travels around the country with a fleet of special bicycles.

When her 38-year-old son died after a seizure four years ago, Beverly Betters sought grief counseling through her church. "It helped me so much, and it's still helping me," the Ednor Gardens resident said. "I never would have gotten through it without that help." The experience motivated Betters to train as a volunteer to help others in Baltimore - particularly children - cope with loss. "This is something that is really needed," Betters said. Betters was among 25 volunteers who completed a 26-hour training program yesterday to offer grief counseling through the St. Frances Academy Community Center on Chase Street.

A summer journey to India for three girls from an inner-city Baltimore school began simply, in an after-school club that devoted itself to helping other people. The club at Baltimore Talent Development High School raised money to buy mittens for preschoolers in a nearby Head Start program. Christin Morris, Indigo McMillian and LaKeisha Johnson liked the surprised expression on the children's faces when they opened up the gift bags at Christmas. "I like helping people. It feels good to give back," said Christin, 15. From there they moved on to corresponding with students in Kenya by creating a scrapbook of their lives illustrated by photographs.

Hope linked to lacrosse Brenda Santiago is running late. Her lacrosse game with the Pacas has started, but first she must serve up a meal of rice and beans - with salad and sliced apples - she has made for two young brothers. She leaves her North Luzerne Avenue home only after a friend of her mother agrees to watch the boys. Outfitted smartly in red jersey and blue skirt, Santiago arrives breathlessly at Patterson Park in the first half, grateful just to have made the trip. The game is a reprieve from another frenetic day. "Lacrosse," she says, "takes the stress off my back.

Dirk was a Hurricane Katrina survivor. Vito's guardian was left unable to care for him after a car crash. Tami was a runaway, roaming the streets of downtown Baltimore when a do-gooder took her to a shelter. Just a couple of years ago, all three were down on their luck, dogs that, like mine - a stray named Ace who landed in the city shelter - were in need of a hand. Now all four are lending one. Ace qualified earlier this summer to become the newest canine member of Karma Dogs - one of several organizations in the Baltimore area, and a burgeoning number nationwide, that are using dogs to teach, train, rehabilitate, heal and comfort.

Vira Schoenfeld of Cape St. Claire; Bill and Susan White of StevensvilleVolunteers' work: Ms. Schoenfeld, daughter Susan White and son-in-law Bill White volunteer for First Night Annapolis. Ms. Schoenfeld is the volunteer coordinator at the First Night office on Cathedral Street in Annapolis.Volunteers' comments: "All my life it never occurred to me not to volunteer for something. I really firmly believe that if you give of yourself as a volunteer it's impossible not to get something back," Ms. Schoenfeld said.

Four months ago, Gov. William Donald Schaefer announced what was to be the latest phase in Maryland's welfare reform -- a program mandating that welfare mothers serve as "volunteers" with various non-profit groups.But when the program officially starts today, it will be a kinder, gentler version of the original proposal. Welfare clients will be encouraged, but not required, to donate their time to community organizations.Maryland had to drop its plans for a mandatory program because the federal government would not allow the state to cut the monthly welfare checks of those who did not comply.

Volunteers are making a difference through the Elkridge Love Mission. Twice a month, students, parents and community members volunteer their time at the facility off U.S. 1 near the Baltimore County line to help distribute food and clothes. "All the volunteers are nice. I love them," said Bessie Johnson, 82, who has been using the services of the mission for five years. The mission has three components -- The Elkridge Food Pantry, Clothes Closet and Community Garden. The organization is nondenominational and receives support from local organizations and churches that donate money, food and services.

In a move that will make it part of an international public service network, the Columbia Association is joining a system in which residents earn credit for helping their neighbors in what is known as a time bank. The program, called the Columbia Association Network, or CAN, is part TimeBanks USA, in which participants help others and are rewarded with "community dollars" that can be redeemed for services. Locally, officials expect those credits could be used for tutoring, landscaping, transportation and errands, among other services.