Volunteers

Listings are accepted on a space-available basis. Events must be open to the public, and priority will be given to those in Howard County. Items typically appear two weeks prior to the date included in the listing if sent far enough in advance. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursday prior to date of publication at the latest. To submit volunteer items, mail to Volunteers, Patuxent Publishing Co. Editorial, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278; email hccalendar@patuxent.com ; fax 410-332-6336; or call 410-332-6497.

The Howard County Police Department is launching a new, volunteer mounted patrol unit, just in time for Memorial Day weekend, the department announced Friday. The unit, made up of 12 volunteers and their horses, will patrol parks, pathways and other locations in the Savage area, acting as a "high visibility deterrent to crime," according to a news release from the department. It is the county's first mounted patrol. The volunteers, who will ride in pairs, will watch for and report violations and concerns, and assist in investigative and administrative work.

Editor: The Annual AMC Holiday House Tour held recently showcasing eight stops across Harford County was a roaring success due to the ambitious and unselfish volunteers who made it happen. The homeowners decorated their lovely homes in an array of finery which proved that the size, architectural style and color schemes promote imagination and variety for the Christmas holidays. Thanks to gracious homeowners Cliff and Fern Brown, Nancy Welsh, Frank and Rosemary Hertsch, Steve and Vickie Arnold, and Lou and Char Hamel for sharing their talents and Christmas cheer.

Alzheimer's Association Volunteer opportunities include office and clerical assistance including data entry and mailings, community outreach representatives including those to attend health fairs and speakers, help line specialists, and family support group facilitators. In addition, volunteers are needed to assist with fundraising events such as Walk to End Alzheimer's, galas, and charity golf. Training and materials are provided. Information: 410-561-9099 or go to alz.org/maryland.

The Obama presidential campaign is debuting its latest online campaign organizing tool for the 2012 election, one that is expected to be use by volunteers across the country to connect with voters. The Wall Street Journal had a report on the tool -- called Dashboard -- that the Obama campaign is unveiling today. President Obama ran an aggressive online campaign back in 2008. Expect more online blitzes this year. Meanwhile, Mashable reports Mitt Romney has his own online social network for volunteers, called MyMitt . I'd love to hear from volunteers in Maryland who are using these online tools to help these campaigns with organization.

Zach Teal is just 17, but his love for books led him to write one of his own and to volunteer more than 250 hours at the Finksburg branch of the Carroll County Public Library. "Two hundred and fifty hours is quite unusual for our teen volunteers," said Heather Owings, who was volunteer coordinator at the library and now works at the North Carroll branch. Zach logged those hours over the course of three years, performing such tasks as making crafts for story times, signing in reading program participants, even wearing a mouse costume for a reading of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.

The Anne Arundel Community Action Agency studied a long list of nominees as it prepared to induct the first members into its Hall of Fame. In its nearly 50-year history battling poverty, many staff members and volunteers have kept the agency going, and a few made sure it survived. The final decision fell to the History Committee, which nominated five for the initial honor. "Oh, we have great stories and many great nominees who made significant contributions," said Kinaya Sokoya, chief executive officer of the Annapolis-based agency.

Harford County Councilman Dion Guthrie noticed a bit of smoke in his home on a recent morning and immediately called 9-1-1. The Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Co. arrived within minutes and doused a fire that had begun in mulch on the side of the house, he said. "Ours is a volunteer service that is doing an outstanding job," said Guthrie. "Why would we want to change it?" However, County Executive David R. Craig said sweeping changes are critical to keeping the service viable and oversight is critical given the county's $10 million annual contribution to its 12 volunteer companies.

William B. Levin, a longtime member of the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company and senior claims adjuster at the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, died Friday in hospice care at the Gilchrest Center of kidney cancer. He was 65 and had battled cancer for several years. Members of the Pikesville company held a birthday party for him April 25 in the chapel at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. They awarded him a life membership, recognizing his 24 years of service with the volunteer company.

Tower Federal Credit Union employees teamed up with volunteers from the Gilbane Building Co. and other local organizations and subcontractors to work on upgrading a home in Laurel in support of Christmas in April, a national nonprofit that rehabilitates homes for low-income homeowners, particularly the elderly and those with disabilities. The volunteers arrived early in the morning on Saturday, April 28, and put in a full-day's work providing much-needed repairs at the home of an elderly Laurel resident who uses a wheelchair.