Butch & Karen Beale Award Presentation

Linda Scaffidi, widow of Richard Scaffidi, Abington’s Deputy Fire Marshall who passed away suddenly in April, receives the Butch and Karen Beale Award presented posthumously for Rich’s outstanding community service and dedication.  Making the presentation are Abington Police Sgt. Dan Buckley (left), Abington Fire Marshall Ken Clark, and Fire Services Administrtor Dave Schramm.  Rich was active with the 24-Hour Relay Challenge in its early years.  In addition he taught first aid and CPR to members of many groups and organizations and worked with children with disabilities, teaching them scuba diving.

Abington Townwatch

Townwatch groups are active in neighborhoods throughout Abington Township. They comprise residents--your friends and neighbors—who are dedicated to keeping the community a safe, clean, and orderly place in which to live and work.
How it works: Members patrol the community in two-person tams in private vehicles equipped with cell pones or radios. They report to the Abington Police Department on suspicious activity, unsafe conditions, and potentially dangerous situations. They function strictly as observers and reporters, never putting themselves at risk or becoming personally involved in incidents. Each member patrols once every four weeks for approximately four hours an evening.
Information: Dave Rondinelli, Community Policing, 267-536-1074.

Abington YMCA

General Volunteer Needs
The YMCA needs volunteers to help with greeting people and serving refreshments for special occasions and handling the phones in general. Interested applicants should call Colleen Provost at 215-884-9622 ext. 255 or stop by for an application.

Teen Advisors and Volunteers
Do you care about teens? Do teens seem drawn to you? Are you interested in making a difference in the lives teens in the community? Then we are looking for you!! The Adolescent Services Program at the Abington YMCA needs adult volunteers and advisors to assist with teen programming. To explore this opportunity, please contact Miles Magbie, Adolescent Services Director, 215-884-9622.

Sports Volunteers
Volunteers are needed in all leagues as scorekeepers, officials, and coaches.
Youth soccer leagues for Saturday afternoons
Youth roller hockey leagues for Saturday afternoons
Women's volleyball league on Monday nights
Men's 4v4 basketball league on Thursday nights
Men's 5v5 basketball league on Saturday afternoons
Contact Frank Walker at 215-884-9622 ext. 222

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Core-Match Program
Carefully screened, trained, and supervised adult volunteers (21 and older) become Big Brothers and Big Sisters to children who would benefit from a special relationship with a caring adult.

School-Based Mentoring Program
Our fastest growing program matches working adults (18 years and older) who take an hour out of their workday one day a week to work in the school setting with a "Little" to do homework, go to the library, or work on an agency-provided craft.

High Schoolers as BIGS
Elementary-aged "Littles" meet once a week after school with their high school-aged "Big." This win-win program allows older youth to benefit from a leadership role and practice responsibility and communication skills while helping a younger student with homework, board games, or crafts. Click "Interested in helping out" to submit your name, e-mail, and phone number.

The Parenting Center at Abington

Arts and Crafts Talent
This volunteer should have a creative bent to help make the Parenting Center a warm and welcoming place for parents and children. This person will be asked to create colorful and interesting bulletin boards as well as displays and exhibits throughout the Center's various rooms.

Fundraiser
This person should have a heart for parenting and parenting education and can either have fundraising experience or be willing to be trained. Work will involve direct mail to individual and corporate donors, creating fundraising events, and expanding and developing the current fundraising program.

Grant Writer
This person should have a desire to support the parenting education process and either have a familiarity with grant writing or be interested in learning about it. This job will involve using the internet to identify grant opportunities for The Parenting Center at Abington and contacting foundations to obtain guidelines as well as responding to requests for proposals.

Marketing Person
This volunteer should have some marketing experience in order to help develop a marketing strategy and get the word out about Parenting Center programs.

Office Worker
This person should have computer experience in order to help with data entry and word processing.

Public Relations Volunteer
The ideal volunteer has experience with public relations, communication with the media, and writing news releases and using other vehicles to advertise the programs and purpose of the Parenting Center at Abington.

RSVP Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

Pennwood Building, Suite 605, 2500 Maryland Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 267-518-0028 or rsvpeastern@rsvpmc.org

Volunteers: RSVP is looking for adults 55 and older who would like to volunteer their talents and experience to meet critical needs in the community. RSVP will meet with these volunteers individually to help determine the volunteer opportunity that is right for them. Volunteers are placed with such area non-profit agencies as schools, hospitals, residential facilities, historic homes, museums, and nature centers. There is a free supplemental liability insurance while volunteering. Low-cost transportation to and from the volunteer site can also be arranged for volunteers 60 and older. For those 60 and older from Abington volunteering in Abington, free transportation can be arranged

Speakers Bureau: Those who have areas of expertise or an avocation they would like to present may offer to participate in the Speakers Bureau, sharing their knowledge and interests with area groups.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Montgomery County is a non-profit agency that promotes volunteer services among area residents 55 and older and is affiliated with the Corporation for National and Community Services.

Top Volunteers in Policing for 2003 Recognized

In 2003, 319 volunteers from the community accounted for 14,469 hours in 19 programs run or supported by the Abington Police Department. Some of the programs they staffed included the Police Athletic League, Youth Aid Panel, Victim Services, the 24-Hour Relay Challenge, DUI Checkpoints, Town Watch, Pre-Night Out, and the No Place for Hate initiative. The Division is always looking to recruit and train additional volunteers as part of its Volunteers In Policing (V.I.P.) program.

Fourteen volunteers (including two couples) distinguished themselves as Volunteers of the Month by individually providing from 100 to 378 hours of service. As a group they tallied 2,785 hours of service, representing almost 20% of the 2003 total. They are (back row, left) John McGlumphy, Bob Salerno, Jerry Hagarty, Ken Hoffman, Doug Warburton, and Nancy Borkowski; front row, left: Georgina Hagarty, Sue Hoffman, Anne and Dick Naylor. Not pictured are Maryanne Casey, Cathy Fuller, Midge Grossman, Mike Lewis, and Tony Rybarcyk.

The Women’s Center of Montgomery County

8080 Old York Road, Suite 200, Elkins Park (Elkins Park Square), 215-635-7340. Visit www.wcmontco.org or Volunteer Director Deanna Linn dlinn@dca.net

A 24-hour hotline at 1-800-773-2424 for victims of abuse - Counselors will handle a variety of related issues such as shelter and food or just being a listening ear.

Volunteers in two different areas are needed:

Volunteers must be 18 years or older. There are opportunities for both men and women.

Women’s Board of Abington Memorial Hospital

The Women’s Board is looking for those who would like to become auxiliary members. Auxiliaries raise money for nurses’ scholarships, hospital needs such as medical equipment, and other aspects of hospital connected associations such as Safe Harbor and The Parenting Center at Abington. This is an opportunity to meet a new group of women and enjoy activities together, such as guest speakers, a variety of socials, and trips. There are eight auxiliaries from which to choose. There are also opportunities to volunteer time at one of the hospital’s two gift shops--The Fountain and The Rainbow—or Abbie’s Thrift Shop. There are many opportunities to help with special events throughout the year. Information: Nancy in the Women’s Board office at 215-481-2500

Willow Grove Literacy Council

“Learn to Read Free!”
For both American-born and Immigrant Adult Students
The Willow Grove Literacy Council tutors both American-born and immigrant adults one-on-one and depends strictly on volunteers. It gives the adults free books and assigns tutors who help them to speak, read, and write English. Volunteers help students to reach their goals, which may include obtaining their GED, U.S. Citizenship, or learning life skills. There is no budget for this nonprofit group as all services and supplies are contributed. The Council receives no State Literacy funds but administers the organization free. Students come from the surrounding suburbs as well as from Philadelphia. Many local churches offer free tutoring space. The Upper Moreland Library handles phone calls and mail. For information contact Antoinette at 215-576-1878.

Cradle of Hope

The Cradle is a nonprofit organization that provides a temporary home for single women who are faced with a crisis pregnancy. They assist them in becoming responsible, healthy, and productive parents. These young mothers are moved toward continuing education or full-time employment as well as permanent housing. The Cradle is located in the Glenside Area.
Women Volunteers needed to provide transportation, sort donations, and help with childcare on site from 10:00-2:00 once or twice monthly
Men and Women Volunteers needed for maintenance and handyman jobs
Information: 215-572 5937.