Making Our One Maryland a Stronger State

Earlier today, I joined the committed volunteers at Our Daily Bread in Baltimore to serve lunch to over 600 guests. Our Daily Bread offers one of many volunteer opportunities in Maryland. Whether you volunteer with your place of worship, help a local nonprofit, or spend time with a neighbor in need, your service matters.

If you’re in search of the perfect volunteer opportunity, the Maryland Volunteer Centers are great resources. Many of the volunteer centers have useful Holiday Volunteer Guides to help you find the right opportunity, including Anne Arundel County, Montgomery County, Howard County, Harford County, andBaltimore City. If you need assistance finding your local volunteer center, The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism (GOSV) has an interactive volunteer center map that can help connect you.

During this time of the year, many nonprofits and faith-based organizations are at capacity with the number of volunteers they can support. But unfortunately, by the end of the holidays, the number of volunteers drops dramatically – while the need for help remains the same. Consider spreading the “holiday spirit” year-round by making a resolution to volunteer in the New Year. Whether you commit to volunteer one time or once a month, you’ll be making a positive impact on your community.

The holiday season is also a great time for organizations to thank their volunteers for their service over the past year. The GOSV offers a number of free resources to help organizations recognize their volunteers year-round. One recognition tool is the volunteer certificate, a free resource that recognizes the outstanding contributions of a volunteer; agencies may request up to 350 certificates for their volunteers. Additionally, the GOSV hosts annual recognition events including the Volunteer Appreciation Day at the Maryland State Fair and the Governor’s Service Awards. To learn more about these recognition tools and events, visit the GOSV’s Volunteer Recognition page.

Whether you are a volunteer, or an organization that benefits from the service of others, thank you for making our One Maryland a stronger state.