Are you wondering how to help members of the community during the coronavirus public health emergency in Montgomery County?
The Montgomery County Volunteer Center website is a resource for connecting volunteers and nonprofits. A new option “Volunteer Response to COVID-19” is now available where people can see any current requests for volunteers and donations.
Montgomery County created guidance for volunteers which includes tips for being a good neighbor. Before volunteering, the county suggests you pack a “go-bag” and stay up to date on COVID-19. When volunteering, the County asks all volunteers to practice preventive measures to stay healthy. These include staying home when sick, practicing social distancing, washing hands frequently, avoid touching one’s face, and cleaning touched surfaces frequently. The “Guidance for Non-clinical Volunteers” document is available online.
Montgomery County has an established network of nonprofits, that are activated in emergency situations, the COAD – Community Organizations Active in Disaster. These organizations and many others are very active right now, working together with each other, the County’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services. These agencies and other organizations will post requests on the Volunteer Center website as they recruit volunteers.
“There is definitely an outpouring of support from the community as many people want to get involved to help others,” said Molly Callaway, Volunteer Center director. “At the same time, we are all working to abide by guidelines for social distancing and keeping everyone safe. A good way to support the community is to provide financial donations directly to an organization of your choice that is supporting the response. Given the prolonged length of this response, it is anticipated that requests for volunteers and donations will change over time.”
