- Volunteer
Volunteer
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VOLUNTEERING DURING COVID-19
Since safety is our priority, opportunities have been reduced to only activities where social distancing and other safety protocols can be practiced.
Looking to give back to your community? 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.
SSL hours are available to MCPS students for most of the city's volunteer opportunities.
Students can now earn SSL hours for some limited remote/virtual service completed from home under the supervision of an approved nonprofit organization. Read the temporarily amended MCPS SSL guidelines for virtual/remote volunteering.
Current Opportunities with the City of Rockville
Join a Board or Commission
Adults only
Join a boards or commissions and provide the Mayor and Council with informed public opinions, thoughts and ideas that shape the city.
Animal Aide
SSL available, For ages 14+, Not wheelchair accessible
Students would be trained by nature center staff and work under the guidance of staff naturalists as they are performing daily animal care duties. This position includes onsite check-ins with the CCNC volunteer coordinator to determine work schedule, quality of work, hours worked, etc. Since animal care is so important, this position’s work will require extensive group training as well as one-on-one work with staff. Students will be supervised by the volunteer coordinator and staff naturalists.
Adopt a Stream
SSL Available, For All Ages
Individuals, families, businesses and community groups can adopt a stream in Rockville and organize cleanups to help our waterways stay free of litter and other contaminants.
Environmental Education Assistant
SSL available, For ages 14+, Not wheelchair accessible
Students would collaborate with nature center staff to develop and implement environmental education themed activities for the general public and for special events at CCNC. Volunteers would be supervised by the Volunteer Coordinator as well as staff naturalists as they perform the work on site.
Mentoring a Child
SSL Available, for ages 16 and older
Mentoring is a one-on-one relationship over a period of time between a youth and more knowledgeable and supportive person who provides consistent support, guidance and concrete help.
Mentoring programs operate at Twinbrook Elementary School, Meadow Hall Elementary School, and Beall Elementary School.
If you are interested in being a mentor, you must complete an application and participate in a screening process.
The commitment is for at least one hour a week for 10 months.
Self-Guided Litter Cleanup
SSL Available, For All Ages
Volunteer to compete a self-guided litter cleanup to help keep Rockville trash free and earn SSL hours while doing it! Choose one of Rockville’s parks or stream valleys to complete your hours. You must provide your own equipment. Register here and instructions will be provided during the checkout process with details on how to complete your hours. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult during your cleanup and all children and adults who are participating must register. Montgomery County Health guidelines and restrictions along with safety precautions must be followed at all times.
Register Here
Student Ambassador
SSL Available, High School students only
Rockville’s Human Rights Commission (HRC) is seeking students to serve as ambassadors that will function as liaisons between the commission and high schools that serve the City of Rockville.
Trail Guardian
SSL available, For ages 14+, Not wheelchair accessible
Students would receive and orientation course as well as direct guidance on where and when to perform the work. This position includes daily check-ins with the CCNC volunteer coordinator to determine work schedule, quality of work, hours worked, etc. Students will be supervised by the volunteer coordinator and staff naturalists.
Weed Warriors
SSL Available, For All Ages
Weed warrior volunteers help the city by removing invasive species from park land, wooded and open space areas that can take over native plants and trees.
other volunteer opportunities
Volunteer to Help with COVID-19 Vaccinations
For Adults Only
To volunteer to help with COVID-19 vaccinations, register with the Maryland Responds Medical Reserve Corps.
The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is a national network of community-based groups of volunteers—medical and public health professional and others—who assist their communities in activities that promote and strengthen public health, emergency response, and community resiliency.
The MRC acts as a registry of volunteers that can be activated to respond and support the county’s response to public health emergencies like COVID-19.
Spanish-Speaking Food Pantry Volunteer
For All Ages
So What Else operates a food bank Monday-Friday as part of our Covid-19 Emergency Response Plan. Giving out around 50,000 meals every day, Our food pantry is looking for volunteers fluent in both Spanish and English to provide translation services for the Spanish-speaking clients at our food pantry. More Information Here.
Twinbrook Food Distribution Hub
SSL Available, For All Ages
The new Interfaith Works Food Distribution Hub, in the same building as the Interfaith Works Clothing Center, at 751 Twinbrook Parkway, offers two opportunities for residents to volunteer:
- Thursday mornings: Organize produce bags.
- Fridays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Food distribution (outside).
All volunteers are required to wear a mask and gloves.
To register and for more information, visit the Interfaith Works Hub at Twinbrook.
Montgomery County Volunteer Center
Volunteers and donors are needed throughout the county to assist with food security and other needs related to the pandemic. Learn more ways to get involved.
So What Else
A non-profit organization providing FREE positive, enriching out-of-school programs for children ages five through 18. Some of the services are emergency hunger relief and youth development in order to continue serving our students. More Information Here.
Delivering Meals and Groceries to Vulnerable Seniors
The Meals on Wheels website lists ways to volunteer with this critical organization.
Helping Schools
Community members can check with their area’s school system to see if they need volunteers. Volunteer With MCPS.
Other Ways to Give
Rockville is a community of neighbors looking to help in this time of need. We’ve put together some ways for you to give back to the community and help those neighbors in need.
Holiday Drive
Donations are being accepted for the 2021 Holiday Drive, Rockville’s annual push to help the community’s hundreds of children and families in need. This year, with the need greater than ever, the drive will continue, albeit with minor changes to keep everyone healthy and safe.
Donate Blood
Blood donations have decreased dramatically. Local Red Cross or other blood donation websites provide ways to help.
Takeout Tuesday
Support local restaurants by grabbing takeout or delivery on Tuesdays. You can find a list of nearby restaurants on www.mocoeats.com.
Give to the Rockville Emergency Assistance Program
The COVID-19 crisis is unprecedented in how it is affecting your neighbors through financial hardship. If you have the means and would like to partner with the City of Rockville to help your neighbors in need, considering donating to the Rockville Emergency Assistance Program (REAP). 100% of donated funds go to help Rockville families!
If you would like to make a donation via check, please make the check payable to the City of Rockville with "Rockville Emergency Assistance Program (REAP)" in the memo line and address your envelope to:
Community Services
111 Maryland Avenue, 1st Floor
Rockville, MD 20850
Donate a Meal to Volunteer Firefighters
The fire service has a long tradition of preparing meals together but during this emergency, they have insufficient time to shop and cook. If you are a restaurant or caterer who would like to prepare meals for our on-duty personnel, please email meals@rvfd.org with your contact information. Community members interested in donating a meal can easily donate money online, we cannot accept home-prepared food at this time. All money donated will be used for meals.
Give to the Recreation and Parks Fund
Help provide financial assistance to someone who may not be able to afford summer camp or other recreational activities in the coming months due to the loss of a job or other financial hardship. You can contribute online when you register for a recreation program by "Add Up or Add On" on the registration form. Round your payment to next easy denomination, and enter this additional amount on Recreation Fund Donation line. Call 240-314-8620 for more information. Donate online.
Donate Food at The Senior Center
Many Seniors in our area are struggling with food during these difficult times. You can donate dry goods at the senior center. this is an ongoing activity: Please bring your donations to the Rockville Senior Center located at1150 Carnation Dr. Rockville, MD 20850.
Host a Food Drive in Your Community
When you host a food drive you will enable our neighbors experiencing hunger to get the food they urgently need. Together we can fight hunger and feed hope. Learn how to host a food drive.
Help to Fight Hunger with Nourish Now
Discover how to help Hungry Families in Montgomery County and volunteer opportunities with Nourish Now.
Donating Medical Supplies and Equipment
Residents with medical supplies or equipment to donate can do so at the Montgomery County Volunteer Center or email FEMA’s National Business Emergency Operations Center at nbeoc@fema.dhs.gov.
Donating or Volunteer Safely with Food Banks and Pantries
Information about giving, donating and volunteering at food banks and pantries can be found on the City’s website. People can also visit Feeding America or Food Pantries to find an organization near them.
Donating to Nonprofits
Cash donations are the best way to support nonprofits. The National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) lists organizations supporting COVID-19 response efforts. Guidestar and Great Nonprofits also have search engines to locate organizations that need help.
Staying in Touch
One simple way to help is to check on neighbors, friends and family – especially those who are older or may be alone. A phone call, text, or a conversation through the door could brighten their day.
