oudoun County has several summer day camp scholarship programs for families in need. Although funding is limited, the scholarships will allow many children to attend a few weeks of summer day camp this year. Many families lack the resources to send their children to camp and are faced with the decision of leaving their children alone for the summer, without adequate supervision, or quitting work in order to take care of their children. The various scholarship programs help with these decisions by allowing children to experience the fun and enrichment that a summer day camp program offers. Attending a summer camp program also means supplies are needed. This year Loudoun County will be assembling "Kamp Kits" for children who will be benefiting from the Loudoun County Summer Camp Scholarship Program. The goal is to provide a "Kamp Kit" with brand new items for each camper. The needed camp supplies will be collected now through May 23. Items needed include:
* Backpacks
* Insulated lunch boxes
* Insulated water bottles
* Suntan lotion (minimum 15 SPF)
* Non-aerosol insect repellent
* Small freeze packs (blue ice)
* Child/youth size rain ponchos
* Individually wrapped hand wipes
Look for a donation box at the following locations:
* Eastern Regional Library - Cascades
* Sterling Annex Community Center
* Sterling Library - Sterling Park
* Ashburn Library
* YMCA - Leesburg
* Loudoun Valley Community Center - Purcellville
* Lovettsville Community Center.
For more information contact Karen Velez at the Department of Social Services at 703-771-5718 or Gail Robrecht at 703-771-5003.
The Loudoun Medical Reserve Corps was created six months ago to help staff mass medication-dispensing sites in the event of a widespread outbreak of disease, either naturally occurring or due to a terrorist attack. It also provides CPR and first-aid training so that all citizens can become better prepared for an emergency. The Medical Reserve Corps has enlisted its 250th volunteer, with more applications still coming in. Loudoun's Medical Reserve Corps needs many more volunteers to meet the challenge of staffing mass medication-dispensing sites. Citizens can learn more about the Corps by going to the Loudoun County website at www.loudoun.gov/health/mrc.htm or by attending one of the upcoming orientation sessions on Thursday, May 20 at 4 and 6 p.m. at the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E. in Leesburg.
The Area Agency on Aging is looking for volunteers to help Medicare recipients understand the new Medicare-Approved Prescription Drug Discount Cards. Volunteers will staff the "hot line," answer questions and help those with Medicare understand and choose the best card for the individual. Volunteer training will begin in early May 2004. Interested persons should call Mary Lou Wilkins at 703-777-0526.
The Loudoun Museum, located in beautiful downtown historic Leesburg, is seeking volunteer docents for the upcoming season of guided walking tours. Tours last approximately one hour and will be held every Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. beginning Saturday, May 1 and continuing through October. All tours will be held in downtown Leesburg. Volunteers will be responsible for learning the scripts and routes of three different tours and will need to commit to volunteering a minimum of one day per month. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and be able to walk four downtown blocks comfortably. Some knowledge and interest in Loudoun County history is helpful, but not required. For more information and to register for the docent training, contact Erika Castillo, Director of Education at 703-777-7427 by Friday, April 23. Space is limited so register early. The Loudoun Museum has locations at 200 N. 21st Street in the Train Station in Purcellville and 16 Loudoun Street SW in Leesburg. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays. To learn more visit the website at http://www.loudounmuseum.org or call 703-777-7427.
The Adult Foster Care Program, which began in Loudoun County in 1989, enables people with mental disabilities to grow and become more independent through the interaction and routines of family life. To help meet the growing housing needs of people with mental disabilities, Loudoun County Mental Retardation Services is seeking to recruit new families to the program and increase the number of placements. Foster families receive a monthly stipend and are provided with ongoing training and in-home support. Once families are screened and found eligible for the program, a matching process begins, which involves introductory visits, trial over-nights and feedback from all parties to ensure a good match. For more information, contact the Loudoun County Community Services Board at 703-777-0377 or visit www.loudoun.gov/mhmr/afc/.
Odyssey HealthCare, a national hospice in the Northern Virginia area, is looking for caring and dedicated people with an interest in serving the terminally ill hospice patients and their families. Volunteers offer companionship, friendly visits, running errands, household duties, and/or bereavement services. Other duties include answering phones, translators, or hospice community awareness. Training is provided. Contact Karen Baroody, Volunteer Coordinator at 703-821-9200 or email at kabaroody@odsyhealth.com.
Volunteers are needed to teach life skills to inmates through Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources of Fairfax County Inc. (OAR) at the Loudoun County Work Release Center on Monday evenings. Interested individuals need not be a teacher to apply. Call Fran Furman, volunteer coordinator, at 703-246-3055.
Loudoun County's Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is seeking volunteers to join its program. RSVP provides a wide range of opportunities for individuals, age 55 and over, to utilize their experience and skills in the community. The benefits provided for a RSVP volunteer include insurance coverage for accidental, personal liability, and excess automobile liability; quarterly newsletters providing information, news, and new volunteer opportunities; invitations to special events, and special recognition for volunteerism. To request an information packet and enrollment form, contact the RSVP office at 703-777-0505.
World Heritage, a non-profit student exchange program, is currently seeking a local community representative to provide high school exchange students with program support. The ideal candidate should enjoy fostering international friendships, be community minded, and enjoy working with teenagers. Community representatives screen potential host families, meet with local high schools, and provide support counseling for host families and students. World Heritage also provides international opportunities for families to host a student and for an American teen to become an exchange student. If interested, call Tammie at 1-800-888-9040 or visit www.world-heritage.org.
Loudoun Families for Children (LFC) needs volunteers. LFC is a non-profit, volunteer organization that provides temporary homes for children in crisis and mentoring for children. LFC is in need of families in Loudoun County to provide a safe and nurturing home for children in need and mentors to serve as a positive role model. LFC is currently registering adults for an upcoming training session in April. Interested volunteers should contact Kim Burk at 703-771-9505 or kburk@burkinc.com.
Loudoun Citizens for Social Justice/LAWS (Loudoun Abused Women's Shelter) a 501(c)(3) non-profit domestic and sexual violence center will soon offer its spring session of training for potential volunteers. The 30-hour intensive training includes sessions on definitions, resources and effective ways to support victims and survivors in their recovery. Volunteers will receive a certificate of completion from the certified training program. For registration information, call Tammi Slovinsky at 703-771-9020.
Good Shepherd Alliance, Inc. (GSA), an organization providing shelter to the homeless, is in need of lawyers with nonprofit experience and mentors for single men, women and families. The services of local electricians, painters, plumbers, carpenters, roofers, car mechanics and landscapers are needed to restore living spaces, vehicles and outdoor shelter areas. Software engineers and technicians are also needed to establish and maintain computer workstations at all shelter facilities. Physicians, dentists and counselors support residents living in crisis situations and many volunteers are needed to help at the Good Shepherd Alliance Thrift Store. To learn more about the Good Shepherd Alliance, contact executive director John Brothers at 703-433-2631 or visit www.loudounhomeless.org.
Volunteers are needed to deliver home-delivered meals and to assist in the Cafe at the Loudoun County Senior Center, 21060 Whitfield Place, Sterling. Anyone interested in volunteering for a couple of hours one day a week or once or twice a month, contact Beth Mills at 703-430-2397.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum is seeking interested teens and adults to volunteer by becoming a tour guide. Training is provided. Hours are flexible. The farm is located at Claude Moore Park in Sterling. Call Janis Golden at 703-421-5322.
The Northern Virginia Family Service seeks foster families for abused and neglected children. African-American families are particularly needed. Help is needed in both full-time and short-term programs. Training, support and financial compensation will be provided. For more information about the Northern Virginia Family Service call 703-533-9727 or smcallister@nvfs.org.