Looking To Volunteer? St. Mary’s County Expo Connects Residents With Local Organizations

LEXINGTON PARK, Md. — St. Mary’s County residents looking to give back to their community can explore a variety of service opportunities during the county’s upcoming Volunteer Expo.

The St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services will host the free event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at Braddock Hall at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department, 46900 S. Shangri-La Drive in Lexington Park.

The expo will connect attendees directly with local organizations and nonprofit agencies seeking volunteers throughout St. Mary’s County. Opportunities will be available for teenagers, adults and seniors.

Helping Residents Find A Place To Begin

Monika Williams, project manager for the Department of Aging & Human Services’ Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), said she regularly hears from people who want to serve their community but are unsure where to start.

“I receive a lot of phone calls as a project manager for RSVP from both seniors and younger people looking for volunteerism but don’t know where to start,” Williams said in an interview with The BayNet. “They don’t know of the different nonprofit agencies here that are looking for help.”

Williams said she hopes the expo will help community members find opportunities that match their interests, talents and skills while directing additional support to organizations that need volunteers.

“My biggest hope really is to get the help to the nonprofit agencies that are needing the manpower to get the needed services and resources to our community members that are needing it,” Williams said. “And then also to give the opportunity for community members to be able to give of their talents, their skill, have a sense of purpose and enjoy volunteering for their community.”

Attendees will have an opportunity to speak personally with organizations that interest them, ask questions and find positions that fit their ages, schedules and skills.

Dr. Deon Littles of the University of Maryland Extension will also offer presentations about the benefits of volunteering.

Opportunities For Teenagers

Williams said the expo could also help teenagers connect with organizations where they can complete school-related service hours while learning more about the needs within their community.

“I’m hoping to capture them too, for teenagers to be able to come out, get connected to some of these volunteer services, get the hours that they need and then hopefully have a good experience,” Williams said.

Williams recalled that completing community service as a teenager opened her eyes to the challenges facing other families.

“It was a life-changing experience for me as a teenager,” she said. “It brought me out of myself to see that there’s other people out there that are needing help.”

Activities For The Entire Family

The event will include several family-friendly activities in addition to the volunteer information.

Chris Sisk, a volunteer with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, will provide face painting, while Bagels Balloons and More will create balloon art for children.

RSVP volunteer activity leaders will also lead line dance classes featuring music by Duncan Deejays.

Food and treats will be available for purchase from Mouth of the Bay and Mrs. Moo’s Ice Cream Truck.

Participating Organizations

The Volunteer Expo is free and open to all ages. For additional information, visit the county’s Volunteer Expo webpage or contact Monika Williams at Monika.Williams@stmaryscountymd.gov or 301-475-4200, ext. 1653.