Looking for a place to volunteer? Want to feel the joy of watching athletes with intellectual disabilities work hard and excel in the various sports? Need to earn Community Service Requirements for high school graduation or church requirements? Whether you are looking for a few hours a week or month or a larger commitment, whether you can help with administrative/office work, fundraising or want to work hands-on coaching the athletes, Special Olympics Howard County can use you!
Individuals interesting in volunteering are required to attend a Volunteer Orientation class before working directly with Special Olympics athletes. Individual volunteers must be at least 14 years old or a freshman in high school. (A limited number of volunteer opportunities are available for younger volunteers when participating as a group and under adult supervision.) Additionally, families who are new to our program are strongly encouraged to attend a volunteer orientation as well. The orientation will provide participants with a better understanding of what Special Olympics Howard County has to offer as well as our goals and needs. Pre-registration is required for all volunteer orientation classes.
Volunteer Orientation
The following volunteer orientations are scheduled for the upcoming spring /summer sports season. They will be held in the Special Olympics Howard County office. Pre-registration is required for all volunteer orientation classes. Please contact Beth Greenberg at bjb410@comcast.net for the form. For additional information contact the SOHO office, ATTN: Beth Greenberg, 8970 Suite A-1, Columbia, MD 21045 or call the office at 410-740-0500 ( Beth Greenberg cell – 301-233-1296). Orientation dates/times:
- Sunday, March 4, 2012 – 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
- Thursday, March 15, 2012 – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Volunteer Scholarship Opportunities
Through the generosity of several families, Special Olympics Howard County will award three scholarships in 2012 to outstanding student volunteers who have been committed to our county program as a volunteer and advocate of the athletes. (Read the release.)
The Jackie Burk Memorial Award for Outstanding Student Volunteer was created in 2004 by Jack and Linda Burk in memory of their daughter, Jackie, a special friend and volunteer to Special Olympics Howard County. It is a one-time scholarship of $1500.
The Allan Homes Award (a one-time scholarship of $1000) was established in 2005 by Allan Waschak, Special Olympics Howard County management team member and Aquatics Coordinator, and his wife Kathy. High school seniors and college students (who are still actively involved in our program) are eligible to apply.
The Kathy Lindner Memorial Award was created in 2011 in memory of Special Olympics Howard County’s first Volunteer Coordinator. It is a one-time scholarship of $500.
Interested students must complete an application, provide at least one recommendation from a Special Olympics Howard County coach, management team member or sports coordinator, and write a 500 word essay about their experiences as a volunteer. You can download the application by clicking here.
Completed applications should be mailed to Special Olympics Howard County, 8970 Route 108, Suite A-1, Columbia, MD 21045, ATTN: Scholarship Committee and must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2012. Questions should be addressed to info@somdhc.org or by calling the SOHC office at 410-740-0500.
Volunteer Information
Please take a look at our volunteer information:
