ESL tutors are needed for fall
FIRN, the nonprofit organization serving the foreign-born in Howard County, is seeking volunteer tutors for English as a Second Language programs beginning in the fall.
Club Leap volunteers plan and conduct English enrichment activities for elementary and middle school students. The programs are held twice a week at Howard County schools.
In the Adult English Tutoring Program, volunteers tutor adults one-on-one Tuesday evenings or Saturday afternoons.
Experience is not required. Training is provided for both programs.
Information: Mary Barton, 410-992-1923, ext. 14 or e-mail, info@firnonline.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, 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 the event of light rain: 410-480-0824. In case of heavy rain, the cleanup will be rescheduled.
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@volunteerhoward .org.
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 trail crew maintain trails 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 18, Sept. 29 (National Public Lands Day) and Oct. 20.
Volunteers should bring gloves, sturdy footwear, a hat, water, safety glasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, snacks and any emergency medications. Registration several days in advance is requested. Trail work will not be done if it rains.
Information: Larry Martin, 410-465-3287, or e-mail lmartin @dnr.state.md.us.
Volunteer camp starts next week
Camp Make a Difference, a summer volunteer program for middle and high school students, is accepting registration for next week's camp.
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 and animal welfare, and helping the aging and those with developmental disabilities.
The program is offered through a partnership with the Volunteer Center serving Howard County and the Columbia Association's camps department.
Information: Mickey Gomez, 410-715-3176, or www.columbia association.org and click on "For Teens and Tots" and then on "Camps." For other volunteer opportunities for teens, visit www.volunteerhoward .org.
The center's OTV (One-Time Volunteer) Guide is available at www.volunteerhoward.org/PDFs/JulyAugcol07.pdf.
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 today, 7 p.m. Aug. 7 and noon Aug. 24 at the Neighbor Ride office, 8808 Centre Park Drive, Columbia.
Information: Rosemary Noble, volunteer coordinator, 410-884-7433, or e-mail volun teer@neighborride.org.
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.