Summer of Service:

Welcome from County Executive Ken Ulman

I am pleased to announce that Summer of Service will be returning for 2010, bringing many exciting goodwill opportunities to Howard County and the state of Maryland. Last year’s program was a tremendous success, resulting in thousands of hours of community service across Howard County and record levels of blood donations to the American Red Cross. Thank you for your interest in our program, and I look forward to accomplishing together many great things our community this summer!

Yours in service,
Ken Ulman
County Executive

Summer of Service is a two-month volunteer program that gives you a chance to serve the local community and get a ticket to one of this summer's most popular concerts -- Virgin Mobile FreeFest at Merriweather Post Pavilion on September 25th.

A celebration of the value and importance of service, the Summer of Service (SOS) program is a unique partnership between Virgin Mobile, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Howard County Government, the American Red Cross, the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County and many community organizations.

How does it work? It's simple: There are two ways to earn a free ticket to the show. One day, one ticket. One day of service entitles you to one general admission ticket to FreeFest. Or, you can also choose to donate blood through the American Red Cross.

Between August 10 and September 23, Howard County Government and its community service partners will be sponsoring numerous volunteer service projects both big and small and at a variety of times, so there's bound to be something that fits your interests and schedule.

Please keep in mind, you must reserve a spot in order to participate! A limited number of tickets are available for this program, so only those who register ahead of time will be guaranteed a ticket.

The choice is yours: Give time or give blood.

If you would like to volunteer with a community organization in and around Howard County, click here to visit the Volunteer Center’s Summer of Service registration page.

Or, if you’d rather donate blood, choose a location below and register online for one of the Summer of Service blood drives:

• 5th District Volunteer Fire Department
  August 31, 2010
  2pm-8pm
  Sponsor Code: 10000
  For your convenience we are offering the ability to schedule your appointment online by clicking here

• Columbia Donor Center
  September 5, 2010 at the Columbia Donor Center Mobile
  8am-2pm
  Sponsor Code: 16797
  

• Glenwood Community Center
  September 3, 2010
  12pm-6pm
  Sponsor Code: 16085
  For your convenience we are offering the ability to schedule your appointment online by clicking here

• University of Baltimore
  September 9, 2010
  11am-5pm
  Sponsor Code: 1862
  For your convenience we are offering the ability to schedule your appointment online by clicking here

• Rams Head at Power Plant Live
  September 8, 2010
  2pm-8pm
  Sponsor Code: 16434
  For your convenience we are offering the ability to schedule your appointment online by clicking here

• TownMall of Westminster
  September 21, 2010
  12pm-6pm
  Sponsor Code: 2435
  For your convenience we are offering the ability to schedule your appointment online by clicking here

• Wells Ice Rink
  September 1, 2010
  2pm-8pm
  Sponsor Code: 12585
  For your convenience we are offering the ability to schedule your appointment online by clicking here

• White Flint Mall
  September 4, 2010
  10am-4pm
  Sponsor Code: 16810
  For your convenience we are offering the ability to schedule your appointment online by clicking here

If you have questions, you can contact us at sos@howardcountymd.gov.

Fine Print:

• On the day of your event or blood drive, you will receive a voucher for one ticket to the FreeFest. You can exchange the voucher for a ticket at the Merriweather Post Pavilion box office on the date listed on the voucher. You will need to bring some form of identification with your voucher in order to receive your ticket.