How & where Building a to volunteer network to help in St. Mary’s A supplement to The Enterprise
Volunteers Jennifer Herriman, left, and Tammy Payne, both of California, prepare the salads to be served before dinner earlier this month at the WARM shelter inside the First Saints Community Church in Leonardtown. Staff photo by REID SILVERMAN
Churches lead effort to warm winter nights for homeless By JESSE YEATMAN
Staff writer
Volunteering is an integral part of making communities better places to live. That can mean sprucing up a park, helping at a school, fighting fires or responding to medical emergencies. In the case of the WARM program in St. Mary’s County, it means providing meals and temporary shelter to men and women without a home. WARM — Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many — for five years now has offered
beds, food, warmth and fellowship to homeless people during the cold weather months at churches in the county. Twenty-one churches take a week at a time to provide a dinner, a place to sleep and breakfast for up to two dozen homeless people November through March. Many other churches and groups send volunteers along to assist with cooking, help move the cots, along with the homemade quilts and other bedding, each week to a new location, or stay with the church guests
overnight. “Without volunteers, I couldn’t do this job. No one person could do it themselves,” Carol Barton, site coordinator for First Saints Community Church headquartered in Leonardtown, said. At least 50 volunteers are needed each week to make the program successful, she said. That includes people to prepare and distribute food for dinner and breakfast as well as a male and a female to oversee the church shelter for two shifts each night.
Barton moved to St. Mary’s in 2000 and was shocked to see the extent of homelessness in the county. “I had never seen that before. I was truly bothered by it,” she said. “It’s heartwrenching.” The number of homeless people in St. Mary’s County, including those without any shelter, in emergency shelter and in transitional shelter, stood at nearly 300 last year, according to an annual survey. See WARM, Page 3
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January 31, 2014
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Building a Network to Help
January 31, 2014
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WARM Continued from Page 1
In 2009, conversations among some of those working with the homeless and churches revolved around starting a program in St. Mary’s similar to ones already in place elsewhere, including Calvert and Charles counties. At that time the homeless population here and elsewhere was swelling as the recession took hold. Shelters were often filled beyond capacity during cold weather as homeless men and women slept on floors, filling every square inch of space. About seven churches participated during the first winter of WARM. Now the churches taking part include a dozen different religious denominations. Barton and her husband, Ron, jumped at the opportunity to help with the WARM program when it began five years ago. They befriended one of the homeless guests, and would pick him up to take him out to dinner or to church. He had lost parts of each foot to frostbite, she said. The trio became close friends, she said, even after the man moved into a nursing home. One winter day, however, he checked himself out and stayed the night outside. “He died. He froze to death,” she said. The man’s death took its toll on Carol Barton, who decided she would do everything she could to make sure that wouldn’t happen to anyone else. She increased her volunteer efforts with WARM, and is the site coordinator for both First Saints Community and its sister church, St. George Island United Methodist. “I usually hang out until everything has settled down [in the evening] and then I come back in the morning,” she said. Mornings can be hard, especially when the temperature is low, as she and other volunteers send the guests back out into the world, she said. “I think you also have to have the heart for it, to help others,” Barton said. “If it’s not real, they’ll pick up on it right away.” And while it can be personally difficult to hear some of the stories from the guests, in the end it is a rewarding effort, she said. “I get a lot of hugs ... They’re very appreciative of what we do.” Barbara Jarrett of Ridge signed on as a shift supervisor for one night during First Saints Community Church’s host week. This is the second year she and her husband, Earl, volunteered with WARM. “I just like helping people,” Jarrett said. It’s important to give back to the community, she said, but it does take an effort. “People have a hard time giving up their time,” especially those who work or have children to take care of. Jarrett, a retiree, said she often volunteers with her church and at local schools. Second-grader Ben Messer was one of seven Cub Scouts who visited First Saints Community one night earlier this month to help. “It is going to feel good to help other people,” he said before he and the other Scouts helped serve meals to the guests. A troop leader said service to the community, including volunteerism, is a key part of the Boy Scout tradition. “The biggest thing these people need is for you to treat them like human beings. Be nice to them,” Jan Adair told the Scouts. She explained how sometimes people don’t have the money they need to afford a
Staff photo by REID SILVERMAN
Carol Barton, volunteer site coordinator for First Saints Community Church, chats with guests one January evening as the church took its turn hosting the WARM program to provide meals and shelter to homeless men and women.
place to live, and it is their job to help people in need. Sara Martin, the chairperson of WARM, said the volunteer efforts of church parishioners give men and women a chance to survive winter by providing meals and shelter. Martin, who works as the administrator at Lexington Park United Methodist Church, volunteers her time on the WARM council and leadership team that meets throughout the year. “There’s quite a lot of behind-the-scenes work happening,” Martin said. “The work of WARM never stops.” The number of people served each night during the winter varies, usually between one or two dozen. Five or six are usually women, Martin said, although this year there seem to be more than in the past. The program does not serve homeless children, according to St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services instructions, she said. Homeless children are placed in other programs, Martin said. Roy Sims said he has participated in the WARM program since this season began in November. If it wasn’t for the churches’ kindness, he said, he would probably be sleeping outdoors somewhere. “It’s pretty good at all the churches we’ve been at so far,” he said earlier this month. “They treat you right.” It also helps just knowing that the many volunteers that pitch in to make WARM successful care about him and other homeless men and women, he said. The basic schedule has not changed much since the program started. People meet at the Three Oaks Center in Lexington Park after being referred by the social services department. County-run buses pick up the homeless and take them to the church that is
“There’s quite a bit of behind-the-scenes work happening. The work of WARM never stops.” Sara Martin, chairperson of Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many hosting them for the week. They arrive each evening at about 6 and are fed dinner; lights are out at 10 p.m. In the morning an early breakfast is served, and everyone leaves the church via bus by 7 a.m. Several churches this season have joined for the first time as host sites, including St. Peter Claver Catholic, First Saint Community’s St. George Island campus, Leonardtown Baptist and St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Martin said. Other churches hosting the program again this winter are Trinity Lutheran, First Missionary Baptist, Church of Christ, Immaculate Conception Catholic, Real Life Wesleyan, Lexington Park United Methodist, Cornerstone Presbyterian, First Saints Community’s Leonardtown campus, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic, Holy Angels Catholic, Trinity Episcopal, Church of the Ascension, Good Samaritan Lutheran, SAYSF Bible, St. George’s Episcopal, Patuxent Presbyterian and Mt. Zion United Methodist. jyeatman@somdnews.com
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Dozens of nonprofit organizations provide vital services to the community and rely on volunteers to fulfill their mission. Here is a list of many of those community groups and clubs, organized by subject. Nonprofit organizations not listed here that would like to be included in future compilations of community organizations in St. Mary’s County that can use volunteer help can call Susan Craton at 301-866-6447 or send email to scraton@somdnews. com.
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Animals Feral Cat Rescue is a nonprofit organization that works to humanely reduce the feral and stray cat population in the county. Volunteers staff a public adoption event to place domesticated, fully vetted cats and kittens at the Petco in California every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and volunteers for trapping and transporting feral cats are welcome. Foster homes are also are needed. Call 301-475-5059 or visit www.feralcatrescuemd.org.
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Golden Retriever Rescue of Southern Maryland is an all-volunteer, nonprofit
rescue group serving Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s County. Its mission is to find permanent homes for golden retrievers in need, but volunteers to assist with free foster care services are welcome. Volunteers are needed to staff educational tables, do home visits for prospective adopters, provide temporary, loving homes until adoption and to help with fundraising. Call 1-855-477-3728 or visit www.goldenretrieverrescueofsouthernmaryland.org.
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assists greyhounds, putting about 100 of these retired racers in good homes each year. Visit www.greytexpectations.org or call 1-866-975-4347 or George Nussberger of Mechanicsville at 301-373-4820. The Tri-County Animal Shelter, located
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on Route 231 in Hughesville, supports and houses domestic stray animals for Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. The shelter takes domestic animals when their owners can no longer provide care for them and offers assistance and guidance to owners of pets with behavioral problems. The shelter offers pet adoptions. Call 800-9031992 or 301-932-1713 or visit www. charlescountymd.gov.
Second Hope Rescue Inc. is a regional animal rescue group that seeks to give “second hope” to hard-to-place animals. The group has animals available for adoption that can be viewed at www.secondhoperescue.org. Foster homes are needed. Call 240-925-0628. St. Mary’s Animal Welfare League is a nonprofit organization that works to protect animals from cruelty and abuse. Goals include the building of a no-kill shelter for cats and dogs in St. Mary’s County and to continue an aggressive spay/neuter program. Services provided include pet adoptions, discount spay or neuter vouchers for senior citizen and low-income individuals. Call 301-373-5659 or visit www. smawl.org.
Education St. Mary’s County Business, Education and Community Alliance Inc. (BECA) is
a nonprofit corporation to develop and promote career educational programs, internships and experiences for students of all abilities throughout the public school system; to provide workshops, technical assistance, expertise and shared resources to school administrators and teachers; to seek and accept donations to provide supplemental assistance to the school system; to enlarge the membership of the corporation and establish networking among businesses interested in working with the public schools; and to engage in any other activities to help business and industry support the schools. BECA seeks volunteers for its scholarship application receipt, distribution, review and award process from January through May each year. A scholarship fair is held in late January. For more information email smcbeca@gmail.com, call 240-257-2322 or write P.O. Box 153, Leonardtown, MD 20650.
FLOW Mentoring, a program in St. Mary’s County public schools, matches responsible community members with students in the public school system. Volunteer mentors meet at the student’s school one day a week throughout the academic year. FLOW mentoring is seeking volunteers to mentor students in public elementary schools as well as the Fairlead Academy. Call Sarah Tyson at 301-475-0242, ext. 28128, write srtyson@smcps.org or visit www.smcps.org/mentor.
Building a Network to Help ics, administrative, auxiliary or cadet. Call 301-884-2900. To volunteer but not for emergencies, consider joining the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad Auxiliary. Call 301-884-2900 or visit www.co29.org. To inquire about joining the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, call 301-884-4709.
The Learning Disabilities Association of St. Mary’s County is dedicated to
Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, call the
The Lexington Park library needs volunteers to work in circulation (interlibrary loans, book sales and donations), the children’s department, the summer reading program and various clerical duties. Call Melissa Racine at 301-863-8188, ext. 4, or email mracine@stmalib.org. Literacy Council of St. Mary’s County
recruits volunteers to tutor adults on a one-on-one basis. The council holds free tutor-training workshops several times a year. No previous teaching or tutoring experience is necessary. Call 301-863-4847 or email stmalit@somd. lib.md.us.
Fire and rescue To volunteer to join or assist the
Bay District Volunteer Fire Department in
Lexington Park, call the station at 301737-0654 or 301-863-8790. To volunteer to join or assist the
Hollywood Volunteer Rescue Squad, call the station at 301-373-3131. The Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department can be
reached at 301-373-2900.
To volunteer to join the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, call 301-475-8996. The Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad can be reached at 301-475-8509. The Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad is looking for people to man the
ambulances. Drivers, EMTs, and crew persons are also needed. The rescue squad will provide the training to be an emergency vehicle driver, an EMT or certiďŹ ed in CPR for anyone interested. Volunteers who are skilled in building maintenance are also needed. Call 301-862-3331, email info@lpvrs.org or visit www.lpvrs.org.
The Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad is always looking for new
members. The following positions are available: EMTs, drivers, paramed-
station at 301-872-5970 or e-mail info@ridgevrs.org. To volunteer with the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, email info@ridgevfd.org. Experience an evening with the
Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad in Valley Lee
any Wednesday beginning at 7 p.m. The department has various kinds of membership. Call 301-994-0751, email membership@sdvfdrs.org or visit www.sdvfdrs.org. To volunteer to join or assist the Seventh District Volunteer Rescue Squad, call the station at 301-769-2287 or visit www.sdvrs59.com. The Seventh District Volunteer Fire Department can be reached at 301-769-3600.
Fraternal/professional American Legion Post 255 and Auxiliary in Ridge meets at 6:30 p.m. on
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the ďŹ rst Thursday of every month at 13390 Point Lookout Road. Call 301872-5349. Post 221 in Avenue meets on the ďŹ rst Thursday of the month at 8 p.m. at 21690 Colton Point Road. Call 301-884-4071. Post 298 in Charlotte Hall meets the third Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Call Carole Lewis at 301-884-8171, ext. 483. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, located off Chancellor’s Run
Road in California, meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The Elks is a national fraternal organization that supports veterans and a variety of charities, including many youth activities such as Special Olympics, scholarships and drug awareness. To join, a current Elk must sponsor an application for membership. Call 301-863-7800 or visit www. elks.org. The Claude D. Alexander Memorial Golf Tournament Association Inc. is a
group of local volunteers who want to support the troops. The association began with the goal of doing a golf tournament every year at the Cedar Point Golf Course at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, with all proceeds being given to the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. The volunteers in the association also provide one-on-one
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promoting public awareness of learning disabilities and providing information and support to individuals with LD, their families and others. Call 301994-1329, 301-872-5039 or visit www. ldasmc.org.
To volunteer to join or assist the
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The Friends of the St. Mary’s Library is an organization of persons interested in libraries who advocate for and support the library as a group and individually. Call Marilyn Lash 301-475-2846, ext. 1007, or visit www.stmalib.org (see link to “Friends of the Library�) for meeting times and locations.
January 31, 2014
Page 6 Building a Network to Help January 31, 2014 contact with the wounded marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen and their families and bring them to Southern Maryland for long weekends to relax, fish, eat home cooking and get relief from hospital and therapeutic routines. The volunteers also arrange for them to attend up to three Navy home football games each year. In addition, they provide homecooked meals for the injured veterans, their families and staff nurses and doctors in one of the Walter Reed National Medical Center wards on major holidays. Anyone can volunteer. For more, contact retired Capt. Ted and Nancy Harwood at nativetexan@aol.com. Federally Employed Women, Patuxent River Chapter, is a national nonprofit professional organization comprised of federal civilian and military personnel, both men and women, concerned with the quality of life in federal service. For information visit www.few. org or e-mail fewpaxriver@yahoo.com. The Fifth District Homemakers meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. at the Northern Senior Activity Center in Charlotte Hall. Call 301-884-7071. Fleet Reserve Unit 93, Ladies Auxiliary meets the
first Monday of every month. Its board of directors meeting is at 5:30 p.m. and the general meeting is at 6 p.m. at the Fleet Reserve building, located on Route 235 south of Gate 2 to Patuxent River Naval Air Station. All Navy, Marine and Coast Guard personnel, retirees and their dependents are eligible to become members of the Fleet Reserve or the ladies auxiliary. Call 301-863-6117 or 301-863-8291.
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The GFWC Woman’s Club of St. Mary’s County is part of an international organization dedicated to community improvement and education through volunteer service. Call Joan Springer at 301-994-1228 or Noreen Neel at 301-994-1038.
Members of the Kiwanis Club of St. Mary’s County work together on a number of community service initiatives to achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. The club mentors students, hosts an annual health and safety fair, raises money for local youth programs, hosts the annual Spirits of Point Lookout, participates in local charity projects, works side by side with student volunteers, provides families in need meals and gifts at the holidays, and so much more. Call 410-326-5117 or 301-737-6311. The Newcomers and Neighbors Club of Southern Maryland meets the third Wednesday of the month
(September through May) at 10:30 a.m. for a program followed by lunch at the Ruddy Duck in Solomons. Nonmembers are welcome. Call Patricia Schroeder at 410-326-0167 or visit www.newcomersofsomd.org. The League of Women Voters of St. Mary’s County regularly meets monthly at various locations.
Formed in 1977, the nonpartisan group works to educate the community on local, state and national issues. Call 301-994-3994 or visit www.smc.lwvmd. org. The Minority Business Alliance of St. Mary’s County
meets on the third Thursday of each month at 26603 Three Notch Road in Lexington Park at 7
p.m. A nonprofit organization, the alliance is a network of business owners and other professionals. The group’s goal is to exchange information and develop economically, and to encourage and inspire youth toward entrepreneurship. Call 301-863-0552 or email mba@aimg1.com. The NAACP’s St. Mary’s County chapter meets at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month at the SMECO building in Leonardtown. Call 301-8633011 or visit stmarysnaacp.org. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Chapter 969 is dedicated to protecting the
earned retirement benefits of federal employees, retirees and their spouses. NARFE meets the third Friday of each month, except January and February, at Olde Breton Inn in Leonardtown. A luncheon starts at noon. Meeting starts at 1 p.m. Call Robert Schultz at 301-737-4102. The Optimist Clubs, nonprofit community service organizations, sponsor various youth programs within the county. Chaptico/4th District Optimists meet one Thursday each month at 7 p.m. Call 301-8845637. Mechanicsville Optimists meet the first and third Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Parlett Farm social room off Route 6 in Mechanicsville; visit www.mechanicsvilleoptimist.org. The Seventh District Optimist Club meets on the first, second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.7thdistrictoptimist.org. The St. Maries Optimist Club meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at The Lexington on Great Mills Road. Call Patrick Dale at 301-737-0707.
The St. Mary’s River Watershed Association works to protect, improve and promote the well-being of the St. Mary’s River Watershed through the collaborative efforts of economic, agricultural, environmental, social, cultural, and political stakeholders in the community. Visit www.smrwa.org, call 301-7372903, or find SMRWA on Facebook.
St. Mary’s County is the home of five chartered Lions Club International Lions Clubs: Hollywood. Leonardtown, Lexington Park, Mechanicsville and Ridge. The motto of the Lions is “We Serve.” As Knights of the Blind, each club helps those in need, to obtain eyeglasses or hearing aids, and collect used eyeglasses and hearing aids for refurbishing. Club volunteers help provide vision and hearing screening for county parochial elementary schools, vision screening for the St. Mary’s County public schools’ Head Start, as well as kindergarten and pre-K programs in selected elementary public
The St. Mary’s County Teen Court is a juvenile justice diversion program offering the first-time misdemeanor offender, ages 11-17, or first-time traffic offender younger than 18, with the opportunity to accept accountability for their minor crime without having to incur a permanent criminal record or traffic court fines and points. Teen Court is a voluntary program that allows juvenile respondents to be judged by a jury of their peers. Youth volunteers with good academic standing in grades 7-12 in a St. Mary’s County school are welcome to join with other teens who are interested in helping their fellow teens who made a bad decision, by serving as a member of the Teen Court jury or being trained as a Teen Court attorney. Adult volunteers 21 and older are needed to serve as jury monitors, bailiff, exit interviewer or
Health A Community That Shares is a nonprofit organization providing St. Mary’s County residents with the temporary use of convalescent equipment at no charge. ACTS distributes the convalescent equipment on an “as-required” basis. Equipment is normally loaned to individuals for a 90-day period. If the need persists, this time may be extended. Call 301-769-4199 and leave a message. To make a donation, call 800-HELPNOW. The American Heart Association funds research, creates new programs to teach heart-healthy lifestyles and develops publications with updated information about heart disease and stroke. Call 800-2428721 or visit www.americanheart.org. Better Breathers Club is a free program offered at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for people with a pulmonary disease, such as COPD. During this free program, several pulmonary-related topics will be discussed such as breathing techniques, home health care and exercise. Call 240-434-7143. The Care Net Pregnancy Center of Southern Maryland is a faith-based organization that offers, free
of charge, education on pregnancy and child care issues, pregnancy tests, limited diagnostic sonograms, friendship and support. It operates out of three offices: 21562 Thames Ave., Lexington Park,
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The Second District Kids & Community Club meets the third Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at St. George’s Catholic Church Hall. Call Bonnie Bowes at 301-994-0985.
schools. Each Lions Club hosts a variety of fundraisers. The Leonardtown Lions sponsor the St. Mary’s County Crab Festival; Hollywood and Lexington Park Lions both conduct yearly golf tournaments, while Mechanicsville Lions holds a yearly chicken barbecue. The Ridge Lions host a variety of raffles and sponsor a Leo Club for youth leadership development. Most clubs also conduct a yearly White Cane fundraiser. All clubs offer scholarships, support for Lions Camp Merrick in Charles County, distribute Christmas Caring packages, and make donations to local EMT/fire departments and many other community charities. All clubs meet each month hosting informative speakers. For more information on Lions or how to become one, contact George Kirby at 240577-0029.
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The Rotary Club of Leonardtown meets each Thursday at 7:30 a.m. in the atrium of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in Leonardtown. Call 301-373-8545. The Rotary Club of Charlotte Hall meets at St. Mary’s Landing at 7:30 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Call Carrie Wood at 240-427-8533. The Rotary Club of Lexington Park meets on non-holiday Mondays at noon at the Elks Lodge #2092 in Great Mills. Call 301-863-7800.
Building a Network to Help January 31, 2014 Page 7 community judge. For more information, call the teen court coordinator at 301-475-4200, ext. 1852, or see www.stmarysmd.com/teencourt.
Page 8 Building a Network to Help January 31, 2014 301-737-4604; 25482 Point Lookout St. Mary’s County Health Department Road, Unit 201A, Leonardtown, 301- and the St. Mary’s County Depart475-5333; and 2196 Solomons Island ment of Social Services. Health Share Road, Suite 3, Prince Frederick, 410- is a member of the United Way of St. 326-6866. Care Net welcomes dona- Mary’s County. Call 240-895-7000. tions of new and gently used maternity clothes, baby clothes, other baby Hospice of St. Mary’s helps terminecessities and equipment as well as nally ill people live more comfortably formula, diapers and toiletries. during their ďŹ nal phases of life. The organization provides a wide variety of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home has services to the terminally ill and their more than 400 active volunteers. To families. Call 301-994-3023 or visit offer a helping hand by assisting resi- www.hospiceofstmarys.org. An adult dents, call Carole Lewis, director of grief support group offered by Hoscommunity outreach, at 301-884- pice of St. Mary’s meets the ďŹ rst and 8171, ext. 483. third Tuesday of every month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the MedStar St. Mary’s A free cancer support group is offered Hospital pavilion, and eight-week long by the American Cancer Society and groups for children, teens, men and MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital for cancer surviving spouses are also available. patients and their families on the ďŹ rst Call 301-994-3078. Volunteer opporand third Wednesday of every month. tunities exist in the areas of direct Meetings are held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. patient care, Hospice House support in the cancer care waiting area. Call and event and administrative support. Call 301-994-3023 for details. 240-434-7247. Health Share of St. Mary’s is a non-
proďŹ t program that provides access to primary health care for low-income adults. Health Share provides access to a primary care physician, co-pay on generic drugs and outpatient services at St. Mary’s Hospital. Health Share is a joint effort of local physicians, pharmacies, MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital,
Look Good, Feel Better is a free pro-
gram for cancer patients in any stage of diagnosis or treatment. Offered by MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital in partnership with the National Cosmetology Association and the American Cancer Society, the seminar helps female cancer patients improve their appearance and self-image by learning hands-on
beauty techniques to overcome side effects of chemotherapy. The group meets the second Wednesday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the outpatient pavilion in the Cancer Care Infusion Service Center. Call 301-4756070.
care givers, and friends who love them; and to community stakeholders who need to know more about mental illness and their vital role in recovery. Call 301-737-1988, write namisouthernmd@gmail.com or visit www. namisomd.org.
MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital is a fullservice community hospital, delivering state-of-the-art emergency, acute inpatient and outpatient care in Leonardtown. Volunteer opportunities exist for adults and high school-aged individuals. MedStar St. Mary’s matches volunteers to open positions based on individual interests, skills, talents and availability. Call 301-475-6453 or medstarstmarys.org (ways to give/volunteering).
On Our Own of St. Mary’s, a wellness and recovery center, is open weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 41660 Park Ave. in Leonardtown. On Our Own offers advocacy, education, social and peer support and works to ďŹ ght stigma for people with a mental illness. Call 301997-1066.
The MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary needs volunteers. Have some time
to help staff an event? Have a knack for retail? The auxiliary gift shop could use volunteer talent. All funds raised by the auxiliary result in equipment, supplies and patient comfort items. Call 301475-6455 to learn more or to become a member. National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southern Maryland offers a wide array
of programs to individuals who have a mental illness; to family members,
Pastoral Counseling Center of St. Mary’s is a nonproďŹ t, ecumenical orga-
nization whose ministry is to provide professional mental health services to all people of the tri-county area, regardless of ability to pay. Call 301863-9333.
Pathways Inc. offers outpatient mental health treatment and rehabilitation as well as housing and vocational services to adults and adolescents in Southern Maryland. Call 301-373-3065 or visit www.pathwaysinc.org. Senior Gold Card Club meets monthly for a free event where members enjoy a heart-healthy lunch and are treated
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to an interesting and informative educational program. The event is hosted by Health Connections of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital. Call 301-475-6019. Seven Healthy Habits of People with Diabetes meets from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Lexington Park library, and is led by certified diabetes educators at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital who teach how to better manage diabetes, one healthy step at a time. Caregivers and family members are welcome. Call 301-475-6019. St. Mary’s Bosom Pals, a breast cancer support group, holds educational meetings at 6:30 p.m. the second Monday of each month at various restaurants. Call Marcia Shapiro at 301-475-6760.
To volunteer, become a member of the auxiliary/foundation or make a donation to the St. Mary’s County Health Department, call Cindy Spalding at 301475-4328 or write spaldingc@smhd.com. Stroke Survivors is a free program at the outpatient pavilion in the Health Connections office of MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital. Meet other stroke survivors and get friendly support while learning about the causes of stroke, recovery and prevention tips. Experts in rehabilitation from the hospital will be available to answer questions. Call 301-475-6019.
Historic The Friends of St. Clement’s Island and Piney Point Museums are seeking members for the St. Mary’s County Museum Division Volunteer League. The league
is looking for people to assist museum staff with
group tours, special events and the gift shops at the St. Clement’s Island Museum and the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum. Call 301-769-2222 for St. Clement’s or 301-994-1471 for Piney Point. Historic Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood needs volunteers for its visitors center/museum shop, education department, garden guild, historical interpretation, management office and special events. Call 301-373-2280, email coordinator@sotterley.org or visit www.sotterley.org. Historic St. Mary’s City welcomes volunteers who
share a commitment to learn and to educate. Email the HSMC volunteer coordinator at volunteer@ stmaryscity.org or visit www.stmaryscity.org. To volunteer with the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, call the docent program
coordinator at 301-863-1900 or email association@ paxmuseum.com.
Summerseat Farm has volunteer opportunities including general farm and household maintenance; gardening, landscaping and grounds maintenance; historical research and documentation; publicity; grant writing and assistance with special events. Call 301-373-6607, email volunteer@summerseat.org or visit www.summerseat.org. St. Mary’s County Historical Society is always looking for volunteers with a variety of talents and skills. Activities could include cataloging, data entry, filing, assisting in research activities and conducting tours of Tudor Hall and the old jail in Leonardtown.
Building a Network to Help January 31, 2014 Page 9 Volunteering can be a regular weekly commitment, or can involve specific, temporary projects creating an exhibit on a particular piece of local history. Individuals with talent mounting exhibit text and images labels are particularly appreciated. Call 301475-2467 or email director@stmaryschs.org .
Hunger The St. Mary’s County Department of Social Services helps residents. To donate, volunteer or receive
assistance, call 240-895-7000.
First Saints Community Church in Leonardtown offers a soup kitchen Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Food bags are available on Thursdays only. Call 301-475-7200. Good Samaritan Lutheran Church’s food pantry has openings for backup volunteers for food distribution every Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Caring soup kitchen needs volunteers from Monday to Saturday from 8 to 10 a.m., and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to pick up food from the Southern Maryland Food Bank in Hughesville on Mondays. Call 301-863-4740 or email foodpantry@goodsamlutheran.com. Helping Hands in Hollywood offers a food pantry Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To donate, volunteer or receive assistance, call 301-373-6990. HOPE of Southern Maryland (Helpers Overcoming Problems Effectively) is an incorporated nonprofit
The complete guide to living, working and enjoying life in St. Mary’s County. Both new and long time residents alike look forward to this complete, comprehensive guide to St. Mary's County. Chocked full of valuable information to be used throughout the year. St. Mary's is made up of families with many things in common: They require local government services. Their children go to school. They may want to get involved in community activities. They want to relax and enjoy life. This Guide is intended to point people in the right direction for all of this and more...
The Guide will be distributed to our entire circulation area! Distribution will also include the Navy Housing Office, local real estate offices, area contractors, the Chamber of Commerce, NAWC and other locations.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS OR ANY OR OUR PRODUCTS, TALK WITH YOUR SALES REPRESENTATIVE
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ST MARY’S COUNTY 301-866-6402
Page 10 Building a Network to Help January 31, 2014 charitable organization supported by local churches, community organizations, United Way and private donations, giving food and other help all year round to those needing emergency assistance. If interested in receiving assistance or becoming a volunteer, call 301-737-2870. Lexington Park Baptist Church offers a food pantry on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Nonperishable food donations are always needed. Assistance may be received once a month per family. Call 301-8622552. Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Mechanicsville offers a food pantry Tuesdays from 8 to 11 a.m. and
meals for the Moonlight Dream Club on the second Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon. To donate, volunteer or receive assistance, call 301-8844132. SHARE (Self-help and Resource Exchange) Food is a nonprofit community based program that offers a discounted food to anyone in the community. Members can receive $45 worth of food for $21 a month at the distribution center located at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lexington Park. Go to www.sharedc.org to see monthly menu or call 301-863-8490 for sign-up information. St. Cecilia’s Church in Lexington Park offers a food pantry Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to
noon. Call 301-862-4600.
St. Mary’s Caring serves breakfast and lunch to those in need Monday through Saturday from its facility next to Good Samaritan Lutheran Church on Langley Road, just off Great Mills Road near the Route 5 intersection. The St. Mary’s Caring soup kitchen is open Monday through Saturday. Breakfast is served from 8:30 to 10 a.m., and lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 301-863-5700. The St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services Meals On Wheels Program is looking for vol-
unteers to deliver meals to homebound seniors in the community. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday for about two hours each midday. Call Bridget Maddox at 301-475-4200, ext. 1060, or email bridget.maddox@stmarysmd.com. St. Vincent de Paul at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church offers a food pantry Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays from 8:45 a.m. to noon. To donate, volunteer or receive assistance, call 301-863-8193.
Trinity Lutheran Church in Lexington Park offers a food pantry on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
during the summer months every other week. Call 301-863-9512. Zion United Methodist Church in Lexington Park offers a food pantry on Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7
p.m. Must have picture ID and proof of income.
Recreation Friends of Myrtle Point Park meet every other
month. For dates and times, call Bob Boxwell at 443404-5549 or visit www.myrtlepoint.org. Volunteers assist all of the programs and activities sponsored by the Greenwell Foundation, located in
Greenwell State Park in Hollywood. Many volunteer opportunities exist, from working in the barn to assisting with the therapeutic riding program and helping with camps. Volunteers also maintain the trails and tend the gardens. The Greenwell Foundation is in particular need of equestrian volunteers to assist with its riding lessons. All interested volunteers should contact the Greenwell Foundation at volunteer@greenwellfoundation.org to register for spring volunteer training on Feb. 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call 301-373-9775, email volunteer@greenwellfoundation.org or visit www.greenwellfoundation.org. The Newtowne Players Community Theater of Lex-
Young Life is a nonprofit, international, interdenominational mission community of adult volunteers and staff who walk alongside youth through the often turbulent years of adolescence and to share the Gospel with them. The group is looking for adult volunteer leaders to work directly with adolescents from middle school through college age in mentoring relationships for six or more hours a week. Training is provided. Email smc.younglife@gmail. com or visit www.smc.younglife.org to get more information.
Social service
ington Park needs help with arts and crafts, the costume shop, publicity, construction, fundraising, stage crew, ushers, acting and technical support. Call 301-737-5447, write volunteer@newtowneplayers. org or visit newtowneplayers.org.
Alternatives for Youth and Families is a nonprofit child-welfare agency that provides a continuum of care including therapeutic group homes, and therapeutic foster care. Call 301-884-0312 or visit www. boardofchildcare.org.
Religious
The American Red Cross performs many tasks in Southern Maryland, only one of which is accepting blood donations through local donation sites. It provides health and safety information and courses in CPR, first aid, baby-sitting, pet first aid to assist pet owners in an emergency and a wide range of other courses. The Red Cross provides emergency assistance, including shelter, first aid, food, clothing and essential household needs. For military personnel and their families, Red Cross service includes assisting individuals with personal and family problems and helping to maintain family communications during emergencies such as a birth or a death in the family. Call the Southern Maryland Chapter at 301934-2066 or visit www.redcross.org/chesapeake.
The Knights of Columbus is a fraternal organization of Catholic men dedicated to the church. Knights work to make a difference in the community via service and charity. Knights of Columbus councils in St. Mary’s County include St. Michael’s Council 2065 in Ridge, which meets at its council home on the third Monday at 7:30 p.m; call James Biscoe at 301-872-5140. The St. John Francis Regis Council 7914 in Hollywood meets at St. John’s in the basement of the rectory on the first and third Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The first Wednesday meeting is for members. The third Wednesday meeting is for officers. Call 301-373-2281. The Immaculate Heart of Mary Council 9968 in Lexington Park holds a council meeting on the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. and officers meet the Thursday before that meeting; call Jim McFillin at 301-863-3887. St. Francis Xavier, the Missionary, Council 10957 in Newtowne/Compton, meets at the St. Francis Xavier parish hall on the second and fourth Tuesday; call 301-769-2269 or visit www.stfrancisxavierchurch.org. Holy Face Council 3849 meets in the Holy Face Church parish hall in Great Mills the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.; call the Rev. Joseph Calis at 301-994-0525. The Father Sebastian DeRose Council 13091 at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, meets at the Religious Program Center, Building 401, on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The Knights of St. John International Commandery 386 is affiliated with Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church in Mechanicsville. This is a fraternal organization of Catholic men who must be recommended by their pastor. Knights of Columbus are also welcome to join. Call Thomas Dotson at 301904-9614. The Knights of St. John Ladies Auxiliary is affiliated with Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mechanicsville. The groups raise money for charitable causes such as Angels Watch shelter in Hughesville. Call 301-884-3123. The Knights of St. Jerome is the oldest Catholic fraternal organization in the Archdiocese of Washington. Membership is open to Catholics 16 and older. The Knights of St. Jerome contributes to charitable causes and works for the church, the community and other members. Call 301-872-5619 or 301-8725460.
The Arc of Southern Maryland is a nonprofit organization serving the residents of southern Maryland. Arc promotes community involvement, independence and personal success for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Call 301-475-5652, visit www.arcsomd.org, or email info@arcsomd.org. Bay Community Support Services is a full-service agency that provides quality support services for people with disabilities and their families. Services include residential support in agency group homes and privately owned homes, employment services, nursing care, transportation, and more. Volunteers are a valuable resource and are needed for fundraising, marketing, yard care, office assistance and maintenance of agency group homes. For information visit www.baycss.org/volunteer.html or call Brandy Blackistone at 443-336-7588. Center for Children Inc. is a nonprofit mental health clinic providing counseling, advocacy, family support services and crisis intervention to children, adults and families throughout Southern Maryland. Call 301-609-9887, visit www.center-for-children. org, or find Center for Children on Facebook.
The mission of the Center for Life Enrichment is to provide programs and support services that will increase the vocational and personal potential of individuals with disabilities. Increased independence, integration into the workforce, and the opportunity for social interaction is the focus of its services. Call 301-373-8100 or visit www.tcle.org. Christmas in April-St. Mary’s County is a local chap-
ter of Rebuilding Together, a national volunteer organization that rehabilitates the houses of lowincome homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled. The group is always looking for volunteers. To donate money or volunteer time visit www.christmasinaprilsmc.org. The Court Appointed Special Advocate program is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children. The program recruits and trains volunteers to advocate for these children in court proceedings. Call 410-535-3047 (Calvert), 301-475-6667 (St. Mary’s) or 301-609-9887 (Charles County) or email casa@ center-for-children.org. The Crib is a nonprofit group that provides support for single-parent families who are experiencing an economic, relational, environmental or emotional life challenge. The program is looking for volunteer coaches and people to contribute and manage the website for single parents. For information email info@cribhome.org or visit www.cribhome.org. The Fleet and Family Support Center is a multiservice organization that meets the challenges and improves the quality of military life. Call 301-3424911. Leah’s House provides single women and children (including victims of domestic violence) safe housing at a minimal fee. Volunteers can help with a variety of community outreach programs. Call 301-994-9580, 866-293-0623 for details or visit www. leahshousemd.org. Patuxent Habitat for Humanity has various volun-
teer opportunities that include participating in the construction of homes for disadvantaged families or working at its ReStore assisting with pickups and deliveries, cashier work or merchandising. Habitat’s headquarters and ReStore are located just outside Gate 2 of Patuxent River Naval Air Station and are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Laurie Walker at 301-863-6227 or 410-3269050. The Promise Resource Center provides free child
care referral services for parents seeking child care; low-cost training opportunities for child care providers and parents; mentoring and support to licensed child care providers and behavior management services; and providers and parents dealing with children ages birth to 5 with challenging behaviors. Call 301-290-0040, visit www.thepromisecenter.org, or email sponder@thepromisecenter.org. The Retired & Senior Volunteer Program of St. Mary’s County places persons 55 years of age and older in
meaningful volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits, community organizations and county agencies. Among the wide range of volunteer opportunities available are Meals on Wheels, tax aides, senior rides, senior activity centers, Senior Vibes, adult literacy council, hospice, Crime Solvers, animal welfare, veterans home, food pantries, health fair, Learning Is ForEver, museum guides and more. RSVP volunteers are covered by supplemental insurance, attend an annual awards banquet, and receive updates featuring current program news and volunteer opportunities for seniors. Call 301-737-5670, ext. 1653 or email Norine.Rowe@stmarysmd.com.
Building a Network to Help January 31, 2014 Page 11 The Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy or visit www.unitedwaysmc.org. focuses on legal assistance to victims of domestic violence and to low-income individuals in the area Volunteer Southern Maryland serves as a oneof family law. Call 301-373-4141 or visit www.smcfa. stop shop for people who are looking for volunteer net. opportunities in Southern Maryland. VSMD hosts an online database of current volunteer opportunities The Southern Maryland Center for Independent Liv- and other ways to get involved in the community. ing aims to support people with disabilities and help Call 301-934-7642, email volunteer@csmd.edu or them navigate the support they need to increase visit www.csmd.edu/vsmd/. and/or maintain their independence in the community of their choosing. Call 301-884-4498 or visit Walden/Sierra Inc. is a community-based health www.smcil.org. agency. It works with adults, children, families and individuals by providing a continuum of behavioral Special Olympics St. Mary’s County offers compre- health care, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, the hensive year-round sports training and competition Anchor drug rehabilitation program and more. Call to Special Olympics athletes. Training programs and 301-863-6661 or visit www.waldensierra.org. competitive events are open to all with intellectual Local churches are providing shelter and meals disabilities who are at least 8 years old, regardless of the degree of their disability. Call Connie Thompson for homeless neighbors during the coldest months. at 301-481-7049, visit www.stmarysso.org, or find at The program, WARM (Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many), Facebook.com/specialolympicssmc. needs volunteer drivers. Call 301-475-7200. The St. Mary’s County AARP Tax-Aide Program needs seasonal support of volunteers as tax counselors to provide free federal and state tax preparation for low- to moderate-income taxpayers with special attention to the senior population. Training is provided, but volunteers must be comfortable with computers, as well as Internet and email access. Training and most site work is done during normal business hours. Call Dana Davis at 301-863-2561 or visit www.smctaxaide.org. St. Mary’s Adult Medical Day Care welcomes volunteers for a variety of needs. Call 301-373-6515. The St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services operates three senior activity centers that are
in need of volunteers. The centers provide a variety of activities and programs for seniors Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A variety of volunteer opportunities are available. Call Alice Allen at 301-475-4200, ext. 1063, or email alice.allen@ stmarysmd.com. The department also operates a Senior Rides Program that offers senior citizens in St. Mary’s County rides to and from medical appointments, errands and social events. The program fulfills this need through a pool of devoted volunteer drivers but the demand outweighs the ability of this small group. Call 301-475-4200, ext. 1066. Three Oaks Center offers emergency transitional
and permanent supportive housing services, which includes shelter, stabilization, assessment and referral to individuals and families in the county. Call 301863-9535 or visit www.threeoakscenter.org. Tri-County Youth Services Bureau provides a variety of services for area youth and their families. The counselors, youth development interventionists and support staff at TCYSB provide delinquency prevention, youth suicide prevention, drug and alcohol prevention, youth development and family navigation services to families in our community. Call 301645-1837 or visit www.tcysb.org. The United Way of St. Mary’s County is a locally
controlled fund-raising organization with members of the community serving as the all-volunteer board of directors. All funds raised remain in St. Mary’s unless specifically directed elsewhere by the donor. Call 301-862-5577, email jhunitedway4@gmail.com
Youth 4-H Clubs are organized by the University of Maryland Extension. Volunteers are needed to help lead clubs and support the program in a variety of activities. Call 301-475-4477, email gwhitney@umd.edu for a list of local clubs, or see www.stmarys.umd.edu. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maryland matches children, ages 7 to 14, with a trusted adult friend with the goal of impacting youth development. Call 301-290-0501 or visit www.biglittle.org. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maryland inspire and enable young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. Call 410-257-0007 or visit www.bgcsm.net. The Discover U Children’s Museum aims to bring an interactive, hands-on children’s museum to St. Mary’s County that will educate and entertain the children, families and visitors of Southern Maryland. Visit http://discoverucm.org. Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital can refer St. Mary’s County residents to local troops. Call 800523-7898 or 800-834-1702. The Greenwell Foundation is accepting applications starting March 1 for the 2013 Camp Buddies program. Camp Buddies is an integral part of Greenwell’s summer camps, assisting the senior counselors in running daily activities. This program is open to young people ages 13 to 16. They receive formal training and may spend one week or up to nine weeks at camp. Call 301-373-9775, email volunteer@greenwellfoundation.org or visit www. greenwellfoundation.org. Sea Scout Ship 548 meets Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Holy Angels Church hall in Avenue. Call 410-3264291 or email douglas.yeckley@comcast.net. The St. Mary’s American and National Little Leagues
need umpires and coaches for the upcoming season. For the American League, call Vince Vanoss at 240-538-1802, email small.president@gmail.com or visit www.stmaryslittleleague.org. For the National League, call Tim Nelson at 943-624-9730, email tnelly91@yahoo.com or visit www.eteamz.com/smnyo.
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Building a Network to Help
January 31, 2014
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