In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, all on-campus volunteerism events for the semester have been cancelled. However, if you’ve still been able to volunteer in your community, we would like to give you points for your ongoing commitment to service. We will NOT give points to members who don’t practice social distancing while participating in service. Here are some ideas of ways you can serve the community:
***It is not necessary to donate items/money to get points if you do not have the resources to do so, you can find other opportunities to earn points in the listservs as well as on our ELMS site.

Social Media Post
1 point
Please share information regarding COVID-19 (vetted by reputable sources) through a post on social media. The post can talk about steps people need to take to stop the spread of the disease and may include information about common misconceptions or when/how to get tested. This post should include ways that the public can help each other during this time such as link(s) to mutual aid programs. Please send a picture after you post the information to your social media, along with your name and UID to maryland.ald.volunteerism@gmail.com.

Donations to Mutual Aid Programs or Local Food Banks
1-3 points (awarded 3 points maximum)
Donations can be in the form of items or money. If you choose to donate items, one full shopping bag of items will be worth one point, and you can get a maximum of 3 points through sending donations. If you choose to donate money, you will receive 1 point for any donation up to $10. Before you donate, take a picture of the items being donated and save the confirmation email/message, or a receipt for any money donations. Please send this documentation as well as your name and UID to maryland.ald.volunteerism@gmail.com.
Here are some links to find mutual aid programs in your area. If you don’t see one near you, consider starting your own mutual aid program! These websites also have directions and contact information to donate to your local mutual aid program.

https://itsgoingdown.org/autonomous-groups-are-mobilizing-mutual-aid-initiatives-to-combat-the-coronavirus/ (Ctrl + F by your state)

Make Your Own Face Mask!
1 point
Hospitals are running out of personal protective equipment, so they encourage the public to make face masks for their own use. If you make a face mask and send a picture along with your name and UID to maryland.ald.volunteerism@gmail.com, you will receive 1 point. Here are some instructions to do so: https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/a31902442/how-to-make-medical-face-masks/

Donations to Hospitals
1-3 points (awarded 3 points maximum)
Please consider donating any personal protective equipment or disinfectants you have to hospitals in need. One full shopping bag of items will be worth 1 point, and you can get a maximum of 3 points through donations. Donations can be shipped to hospitals near you. Before you donate, take a picture of the items being donated and save the confirmation email/message. Please send this documentation as well as your name and UID to maryland.ald.volunteerism@gmail.com. Here is a site that details what/where/how to donate: https://getusppe.org/give/

For all other types of volunteer activities, please send your name, UID, and proper documentation of the activity (including how long it was) to maryland.ald.volunteerism@gmail.com.