Volunteer of the Month | Kelly Balcarczyk| June 2009
By Marie Thomas
Kelly Balcarczyk
Our monthly Volunteers Needed section connects members of the community who are looking for a chance to donate their time with organizations needing extra hearts and hands. If your organization needs volunteers on a regular basis or for a special event, contact Events Editor Marie Thomas at
mthomas@WhatsUpMag.com or 410-267-9390.
This month’s featured volunteer is Kelly Balcarczyk from the Talbot County Department of Social Services (TCDSS). If your organization receives assistance from a particularly outstanding community member, please contact us with a nomination.
Strolling through the farmers market in Easton one morning in September of last year, Kelly Balcarczyk stopped at the Talbot County Department of Social Services’ table and began chatting with Volunteer Coordinator Pat Murphy about becoming involved. As an environmental educator at Pickering Creek Audubon Center in Easton, Balcarczyk was extremely interested in all the programs that TCDSS offered the children of Talbot County. She soon began volunteering her time by tutoring a fifth-grade student in math, spelling, and reading, as well as assisting with the parenting classes, which run in 10-week sessions.
“I have been a volunteer for most of my life with a variety of different organizations and have loved all of the experiences. Volunteering is a rewarding pastime that can be addicting because of the wonderful feeling it provides,” she says.
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Balcarczyk moved to Easton from Fairbanks, Alaska, after graduating with a master’s degree in biology from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Wanting to be closer to family on the East Coast, she applied for several environmental education internships and decided to take a seasonal educator position at Pickering Creek, where she also volunteers her time to help monitor the wood duck boxes for eggs in an effort to keep the wood duck population thriving.
“I decided that volunteering for TCDSS was a great opportunity for me to get to know a new community and a diverse group of people. Being new to Easton, TCDSS made it very easy for me to dive right into life on the Eastern Shore. I really enjoy working with children, and TCDSS has a wide variety of programs that give volunteers an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families,” explains Balcarczyk.
TCDSS offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities and is always looking for tutors, mentors, job search and resume coaches, transportation providers, childcare providers for parents in classes or training, help with holiday events like food basket distribution, disaster preparedness educators, help in the Children’s Advocacy Center, and clerical assistance. Volunteers range from college students and homemakers to professionals and retirees. TCDSS strives to match your interests and talents with their volunteer needs.
Individuals interested in helping Talbot County’s families and children in need should contact Pat Murphy at 410-770-4958 or by e-mail at
pmurphy5@dhr.state.md.us. TCDSS is located at 301 Bay Street in Easton.
Tags:
Eastern Shore Volunteer
Volunteers Needed
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