Story Category: The Bay Net Exclusives »

It started as a Girl Scout Gold Award Project. In the end it was a huge success. Tori White’s idea parlayed into a first-ever Volunteer Fair for Teenagers Sunday at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. Hundreds of teens met with more than a dozen volunteer groups to discuss volunteer opportunities. Attendees and group representative termed the event a rousing success.

According to Tori White: “The reason I selected this project is because many teenagers are unaware of how to get started, what types of organizations are out there and who to contact with regards to community service opportunities.”

Of course the benefit was two-way, according to White. She called it “an extraordinary benefit to the many deserving organizations in order to recruit volunteers needed to sustain all the wonderful projects that help our community.”

Organizations participating included the Museum Division of the St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks Department, Walden Counseling Center, American Legion Post 221 in Avenue, Second Hope Rescue, FLOW Mentoring, Relay for Life, Summerseat Sanctuary, St. Mary’s County Department of Public Safety, Pastoral Counseling Center, Historic St. Mary’s City, Bay K-9 Search and Rescue, Anne Marie Gardens, Special Olympics and Southern Maryland Zombie Squad.