Historical Society needs helpers

The Howard County Historical Society is seeking volunteers to maintain and update its archives, catalog books, acknowledge gifts, add to files, keep up its garden and grounds, help schedule and install exhibits and give tours.

Volunteers are especially needed on Tuesdays and Saturdays, but are welcome anytime. Training is available.

Information: 410-750-0370 or drop by the Howard County Historical Society Library, 8324 Court Ave., Ellicott City, during regular hours from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Volunteer Maryland director to speak

The Howard County Association of Volunteer Administrators will sponsor a brown-bag lunch at noon April 10 at Recreation and Parks offices, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia.

Barbara Reynolds, director of Volunteer Maryland, will speak about "Why Ask Why? Why reflecting on the volunteer experience is critical to sustaining volunteer involvement."

Admission is free and open to everyone. Information: 410-715-3179 or www.hcava.net.

Legal aid sought for the abused

The Domestic Violence Center, a nonprofit agency providing services to women and children who are abused, is seeking volunteers to work with the organization's legal advocate coordinator to help clients petition the courts for protective orders.

Training is offered; legal experience is not required.

Child-care providers are needed while parents attend counseling sessions. Child care is needed during evening hours.

Volunteers are also needed to staff a help-line and to assist at events.

Information: Danielle Bormel, 410-997-0304.

Neighbor Ride needs drivers

As its ridership increases, Neighbor Ride, a county volunteer-based transportation program, needs additional volunteer drivers to help those ages 60 and older. Daytime, evening and weekend drivers are needed.

Volunteer orientations are held at Neighbor Ride's new office, 8950 Route 108, Suite 115, Columbia.

Also, ride coordinators are needed to assign rides for up to four hours Monday through Friday.

Information: 410-884-RIDE (410-884-7433), or www.neighbor ride.org.

Docents, guides for historic sites

Docents and tour guides are needed at local historic sites in Ellicott City: the Fire House Museum, Thomas Isaac Log Cabin, Ellicott City Colored School, Restored, and the Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park.

Information: 410-465-8500.

Office on Aging seeking greeters

Volunteer greeters and ushers are needed for the Office on Aging's Gospel Extravaganza, to be held April 19 at Howard High School in Ellicott City.

Volunteers are also needed to help with greeting, seating and serving at the Office on Aging's "Older Americans Day Goes Caribbean" event, to be held May 14 at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville.

Information: Regina Jenkins, 410-313-1417.

Culinary students sought for gala

The Columbia-based Restaurant Association of Maryland is seeking culinary students from local colleges to lend a hand at its Stars of the Industry Awards Gala on April 28 at Martin's West in Baltimore.

Volunteers who help with plating will have an opportunity to work with high-end products and professional chefs.

Information: Lauren Shipley, director of marketing, 410-290- 6800 ext. 1019 or www.maryland restaurants.com.

Horse rescue seeks movers

Days End Farm Horse Rescue in Lisbon is seeking volunteers to help in the farm's move to a 58-acre agricultural preservation property near the current 18-acre facility. The nonprofit horse-rescue organization has received an agritourism enterprise permit, which gave permission for the move.

Volunteers are needed before April 30, when equipment, materials and horses must be moved.

Information: 301-854-5037.or 410-442-1564.

Send volunteer announcements to howard.events@baltsun.com or fax to 410-715-2816.