The City of Rockville is dedicated to helping its community. We’ve compiled a list of city and county resources for residents and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit the city’s COVID-19 resources page.

Many Montgomery County residents, seeing their neighbors and members of the community in distress, are looking to volunteer during these difficult times. Learn ways you can help.

New: Martin luther King Jr. Week of Service 2021

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on Jan. 18, 2021, marks the 26th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the civil rights leader’s life and legacy. Dr. King recognized the power of service. He famously said, "Everyone can be great because everybody can serve." Observing Martin Luther King Jr. Day through service is a way to begin each year with a commitment to making our community a better place.

This year we will make this day more than a day but a special week where members of the community will be encouraged to participate in directed non-social contact activities as well as in doing simple acts of kindness in the community.

The city has planned six activities following CDC social distancing guidelines. Some of these activities depend on the weather and may be rescheduled. Space is limited. Student Service Learning credit hours are available. The activities are:

1. Trail Cleanup at Croydon Creek Nature Center

Help clean the trails in the forest preserve and help the environment. Each participant will receive gloves, a trash bag, and a set of trash pickets to use for the morning. This activity qualifies for a maximum of two SSL hours. Students must report to the activity coordinator on the day of the event to receive the SSL form. 

Register.

2. Weed Warriors at RedGate Park

Weed Warrior volunteers help the city by removing invasive species that can take over native plants and trees in parkland, woods and open spaces. This activity qualifies for a maximum of two SSL hours. Students must report to the activity coordinator on the day of the event to receive the SSL form. 

Register.

3. Self-Directed Neighborhood Cleanup

The city will mail you a cleanup kit you can use to clean up your neighborhood. (Private property does not qualify.) This activity must be performed during the week of Jan. 18-25.

Participants will receive milkweed seeds to plant in their community or garden during the winter months. 

The trash collection activity qualifies for a maximum of two SSL hours. Students must report to the activity coordinator with an email describing how many bags of trash they collected, with a picture of the actual bag. One bag will earn one hour of SSL time. The SSL form will be emailed to participating students. 

Register.

4. Make a No-Sew Fleece Blanket for a Needy Child

Making a blanket for a sick child or a child in need is an excellent way to show that they matter. These homemade hugs will be distributed at hospitals and shelters. When you sign up for this activity, you will be sent the material and instructions to make a no-sew blanket. Please write your address in the notes section during registration and write "SSL" if you want to receive SSL hours.

Projects must be completed Jan. 18-25 and dropped off 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 at Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave. In case of inclement weather, drop off the blankets at the same time and place on Friday, Jan. 29.  

This activity qualifies for a maximum of two SSL hours. One blanket will earn two SSL hours. Students must report to the activity coordinator on a set day when blankets will be collected to receive the SSL form. Write your name on a card and attach it to the blanket.

Register.

5. Make a Cloth Mask to Prevent COVID-19

More than ever, we need to protect ourselves and our community from viruses in the air and from the inclement weather. This activity will give those with sewing skills the opportunity to benefit struggling families this winter and will benefit Stepping Stones Shelter.

All material will be mailed in January. Projects must be completed Jan. 18-25. Please write your address in the notes section during registration and write "SSL" if you want to receive SSL hours for this activity.

This activity qualifies for a maximum of four SSL hours. Four masks will earn four SSL hours. Students must report to the activity coordinator. Masks will be collected 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 27 at Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave. In case of inclement weather, masks will be collected at the same time and place on Saturday, Jan. 30. Write your name on a card and attach it to the masks. An SSL form will be emailed to students.

Register.

6. Make a Scarf for a Person in Need

Making a scarf for a needy person will give those with knitting skills the opportunity to benefit families served by Stepping Stones Shelter.

All material will be mailed in January. Projects must be completed Jan. 18-25. Please write your address in the notes section during registration and write "SSL" if you want to receive SSL hours for this activity.

This activity qualifies for a maximum of six SSL hours. One scarf will earn six SSL hours. Students must report to the activity coordinator. Scarves will be collected 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28 at Rockville City Hall, 111 Maryland Ave. In case of inclement weather, masks will be collected at the same time and place on Saturday, Jan. 30. Write your name on a card and attach it to the scarf. An SSL form will be emailed to students.

Register.

volunteering in the time of covid-19

Volunteer opportunities are limited due to COVID-19. Please take a minute to explore some of the options available.

Want to do something meaningful in the City of Rockville? Whether you’re looking to adopt a stream, offer your professional skills, or lend your talents in other ways, you’ll find there are opportunities to get involved in causes that matter to you right in Rockville.

Volunteers provide quality services to the citizens of our community. Volunteering often leads to personal and professional growth and development, which may include:

• Learning a new skill or trade.
• Gaining valuable work experience.
• Meeting new people.
• Helping people/animals in need.
• Networking and making professional contacts.

Virtual Volunteering and Service Learning Hours (SSL) for MCPS students. 

MCPS SSL guidelines have been modified to meet the service-learning needs of our students during this time period, and we are excited to announce that students can now earn SSL hours for some limited remote/virtual service completed from home under the supervision of an approved nonprofit organization. These virtual/remote SSL opportunities may be offered to our students until schools return to normal status. 

Please carefully review the temporarily amended MCPS SSL guidelines for virtual/remote volunteering that have been created to ensure that virtual/remote service maintains the safety and privacy of students and adheres to the proper supervision needed for SSL as a state graduation requirement. 

Questions? Email Donna Kleffman at ssl@mcpsmd.org.