School supplies donations needed
The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County is seeking monetary and in-kind donations for the annual "Prepare For Success" campaign to provide backpacks and school supplies to children in need.
Information: 410-715-3172 or e-mail, info@volunteerhow ard.org.
Bascom Creek cleanup on Aug. 3
Friends of the Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway, Howard Community College freshmen and other volunteers will clean up along Bascom Creek, off Deep Run, one of the major streams flowing into the Patapsco River in Elkridge, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 3.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Long pants and a shirt are recommended to ward off insects and guard against prickly underbrush. Waterproof shoes or boots and sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended. Restrooms will not be available.
The volunteers will meet at Glenmore and Athol avenues (look for the red Jeep) near the bridge, and they should bring work or garden gloves and a shovel, if possible; tires embedded near the stream need to be dug out. Park along Glenmore Avenue, in the Harwood Park neighborhood, in Elkridge.
In case of heavy rain, the cleanup will be rescheduled.
Patapsco park needs helpers
Patapsco Valley State Park is seeking volunteers to staff visitor centers, lead interpretive programs, guide nature walks and hikes, host camps, care for animals, maintain trails, work on publicity and publications, garden, take photographs and help with general maintenance.
Volunteers are needed to help the park crew maintain trails from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 18, Sept. 29 (National Public Lands Day) and Oct. 20.
Registration several days in advance is requested.
Information: Larry Martin, 410-465-3287, or e-mail lmartin @dnr.state.md.us.
Registration open for teen camp
Camp Make a Difference, a summer volunteer program for high school students, is accepting registration for next week and the week of July 30.
Participants can volunteer with the Arc of Howard County, Day's End Farm Horse Rescue, Howard County Conservancy and other local agencies addressing poverty, environmental problems, animal welfare, as well as helping the aging and those with developmental disabilities.
The program is offered through a partnership between the Volunteer Center serving Howard County and the Columbia Association's camps department.
Information: Mickey Gomez, 410-715-3176, or www.colum biaassociation.org and click on "For Teens and Tots" and then on "Camps."
Neighbor Ride is seeking drivers
Neighbor Ride, a volunteer-based supplemental transportation program for Howard County residents ages 60 and older, is seeking drivers for daytime, evening and weekend service.
Volunteer orientations will be offered at noon July 27, 7 p.m. Aug. 7 and noon Aug. 24 at the Neighbor Ride office, 8808 Centre Park Drive.
Information: Rosemary Noble, volunteer coordinator, 410-884-7433, or e-mail volunteer@neighborride.org.
Trees offered to homeowners
The Backyard Stream Releaf Program, sponsored by the Howard County Department of Public Works' Bureau of Environmental Services, is offering free native trees and shrubs to homeowners whose property includes a stream.
The program is designed to increase streamside buffer zones along county waterways, filtering pollutants, controlling erosion, creating shade and providing food and habitat for aquatic and riparian species.
Information: Laura Miller, 410-313-6434.
Adoptive homes for greyhounds
Greyhound Welfare is seeking adoptive homes and volunteers for its retired racing greyhounds.
The dogs, former racers from East Coast tracks, are elegant and gentle. They are kept in foster homes until adopted.
Information: 301-949-0615, or www.greyhoundwelfare.org.
Volunteers sought to care for felines
The Howard County Cat Club, a nonprofit, no-kill cat rescue service, is seeking volunteers to care for cats in its "group home" on alternate Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Volunteers are needed to feed the cats, perform housekeeping chores and care for 14 to 18 cats that are to be adopted. Volunteers must have transportation and commit to spend two to three hours per visit. They should also have access to e-mail.
Information: 410-730-3679, or e-mail, howardcountycats @earthlink.net.
Pregnancy-aid group seeks help
Better BedRest Inc., a nonprofit support, resource and referral service for women placed on bed rest during pregnancy, is seeking telephone volunteers who have had a bed-rest experience or have been close to someone with such an experience. An interview is required; training is provided.
Information: 410-740-7662.
Send volunteer announcements to howard.events@baltsun.com or fax to 410-715-2816.