Know of something missing from our volunteer listings? Send it to The Arlington Connection, e-mail it to arlington@connectionnewspapers.com, mail to 7913 Westpark Drive, McLean, VA 22102, or fax to 703-917-0991. Deadline is 2 p.m. the Thursday before publication. Call Rebecca Halik at 703-917-6407 with any questions. Photos are welcome.
Calling all Secret Santas! We are searching for individual and groups of volunteers who would like to provide holiday gifts for our adult clients with disabilities. These individuals are sweet, fun people who live in group homes throughout Arlington County. Many do not have families. We want to ensure they have a happy holiday, and we can do it with your help. We provide the shopping list. You provide the gifts. In the past, wish lists have included a variety of things such as teddy bears, Red Skins sweatshirts, CDs, books, puzzles and games. This is a fun, easy way to make a big difference in someone's life. Gifts are due the week of Dec. 11. Located at 3033 Wilson Blvd., Arlington.
Elves will be taking pictures of children coming to see Santa at Ballston Mall while helping to raise money to help local charities. Elves should be over the age of 13. Spanish speaking if possible but not required. School service hour credit can be signed off. This opportunity is sponsored by Arlington Jaycees. Contact Leandra Finder, Community Development VP, 703-473-7245. Located at 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. Visit www.varlingtonjaycees.org.
Ideal opportunity for individuals with daytime availability that are interested in international and women’s issues and learning about women’s experiences across the globe. Daytime volunteers facilitate the implementation of the Sponsorship Program by providing assistance with general sponsorship administrative tasks including data entry, filing, reading letters and press packet preparation and other duties. Visit www.womenforwomen.org for additional information about our mission and programs. There are orientation dates on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. or 6 p.m. To get involved, submit a letter of interest and resume via e-mail to humanresources@womenforwomen.org and reference “Volunteer Opportunities” in the subject line.
Learn how to be a community hero by coming to a CrisisLink Information Session. CrisisLink is a nonprofit that serves the entire Washington, D.C. Metro Area by answering crisis, suicide, and information/referral calls, providing community education, and much more. Learn what CrisisLink does and how you can help us save lives and prevent tragedies in your community by coming to a meeting on Dec. 5 from 7-8:30 p.m. in Arlington. The information session is free and open to all interested in volunteering or just to learn more about CrisisLink and its role in the community. For an invitation and directions e-mail jcarter@crisislink.org and visit www.crisislink.org.
Hoffman-Boston Elementary School, 1415 S. Queen St., Arlington, needs adult volunteers to work one-to-one with a first or second grade student struggling with reading for two mornings a week from 8:15-9:15. On-going support including training, lesson plans and all materials provided. Call Marty Maher, Book Buddies Co-ordinator, at 703-228-5845.
The Arlington 2006 Secret Santa program is seeking organizations and individuals to sponsor or “adopt” a family for the winter holiday season. Each year Secret Santa identifies more than 400 Arlington families in need of a holiday meal and gifts for family members. The program matches families nominated by Arlington social workers with donors who sign up with the Secret Santa Program to provide holiday gifts for family members. Donors can remain anonymous or deliver directly to the families. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between Thursday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 16. If you would like to become a Secret Santa this winter, contact the Secret Santa Hotline at secretsanta.arl@gmail.com. For questions and answers about the program visit the Arlington Interfaith Council at www.arlingtonva-interfaith-council.org.
The Knights of Columbus of Arlington, are searching for volunteers to help serve Thanksgiving meals to the needy, shut-ins and those alone at home. Volunteers are needed at the Councils activities Hall, 5115 Little Falls Road in Arlington on Thanksgiving Day from 2-3:30 p.m. Turkeys are also needed. Call 703-241-1415 for more information.
Have the chance to influence a child's life by volunteering in one of our classrooms. Assist our wonderful teachers with day-to-day learning and fun. The children are three- and four-year-olds attending classes at Child & Family Network Center's preschools in Arlington. Spend time with the children in the classroom doing science projects, coloring, finger-painting, and other activities. Must be 18 years or older. Contact Patricia Chapman, Volunteer Coordinator, 703-836-0214 or visit www.cfnc-online.org.
Volunteers at family roller skating nights help with skate rentals, work as skate "traffic cops" and sell food from the concession stand. The family roller skating series will be held every Saturday night from Oct. 21 through April 14, 2007 from 6-9 p.m. at 3501 S. 2nd St., Arlington. Teen volunteers may also stay and participate in the "teen only" skate nights from 9-11 p.m. Volunteers will receive an orientation on the first night they work. Contact Kevin Clements 703-228-4729 or visit www.co.arlington.va.us/prcr.
Are you looking for enjoyable volunteer experiences, but just don’t have the time to commit? Join Volunteers for Change, a unique volunteer program for adults, featuring a flexible calendar of fun weekend and weekday evening projects to fit your busy schedule. The only commitment needed is a one-time orientation at Volunteer Fairfax’s office in central Fairfax. Upcoming orientations will be held:
* Sunday, Dec. 3 from 2-3 p.m.
* Wednesday, Dec. 6 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
* Sunday, Jan. 7 from 2-3 p.m.
* Thursday, Jan. 11 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
After orientation, volunteers can choose from more than 45 monthly community service projects throughout Northern Virginia. Contact Ann Doyle to register for the next orientation at 703-246-3460 ext. 2,2 or e-mail to adoyle@volunteerfairfax.org. Visit www.volunteerfairfax.org.
Doorways for Women and Families provides a safe, weekly, confidential domestic violence support group. The support group helps current and former victims of domestic violence share feelings, thoughts and information to make healthy life choices and end abuse. For more information call 703-237-0881. Meetings are held Tuesdays.
Volunteer Emergency Families For Children (VEFC) needs volunteers willing to open their homes and provide short term (1-21 days) emergency shelter to local children who are victims of abuse, neglect, etc. Volunteers can choose the age, gender, and length of stay for each placement. Call 703-969-3795 or email MMiller@VEFC.org. Visit us on the web at: www.VEFC.org.
The Greater Chesapeake and Potomac Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to assist its blood collections staff at blood drives and blood donor centers. Volunteers will assist with providing a high level of customer service to donors, and with caring for donors in the refreshment area after the donation process. This position is offered to people who are 14 or older. Training is provided. A commitment of two or more blood operations each month is requested. Blood drives last 4.5-6 hours and are held daily throughout the Potomac area. To register for training, please call the American Red Cross Volunteer Office at 1-800-272-0094, ext 1, or e-mail karlofft@usa.redcross.org.
"Voices of Children” Volunteer Project. This volunteer opportunity requires: a commitment to 8 weekly therapeutic groups for two hours; an interest in learning about group work with children; Lots of patience and a sense of humor. Contact the Arlington County Volunteer Office at 703-228-1760 or visit www.volunteersolutions.org/acvo.