Volunteer Opportunities: Opera Lovers

There are a number of new volunteer opportunities available throughout Arlington, including several positions with an organization whose mission bring opera to the masses.

Opera NOVA, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, aims to make opera affordable and accessible to all residents of Northern Virginia. The group is currently seeking a Schools Coordinator for Children’s Opera. The volunteer will introduce Opera NOVA’s programs to schools, plan school outreach strategies and assist in creating marketing materials for schools and families. Those interested can apply or request more information online.

Opera NOVA has a number of other volunteer positions open, including Publicist, Historian/Archivist and Grant Writers.

More volunteer opportunities throughout the area can be found on the Volunteer Arlington website. A few others are listed below.

• Read to Children — Volunteers are needed to read to children in homeless shelters and affordable housing complexes. The one hour reading sessions each month engage children in the books and hands-on activities. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and will undergo a background check. For more information or to sign up, email or call Stephanie Berman at 703-528-8317, extension 10.
• Library Circulation Support — The Westover Library needs someone to help with the circulation of library materials. The helper will prepare items to be sent to other branches, search for lost items and unpack items received from other branches. Shifts are available on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Anyone interested should contact Barbara Dean via email or at 703-228-7688.
• Visual Arts Facilitator — A creative volunteer is wanted for developing and providing art instruction to groups at Parks and Recreation community centers. Volunteer must attend training for skill building, arrive in advance of the program to prepare materials and a sample of projects, and assist in preparation of art exhibition for participants’ work. The helper must be able to stand for three hours at a time and lift and/or carry material bins weighing up to 20 pounds. To sign up or learn more, contact Milada Weaver at 703-228-4730 or via email.