Blog post by Reed from Washington, DC
Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much. ~Helen Keller
The above quote is particularly relevant to today’s post. As you know every Monday I bring you a blog post of my weekly volunteer activities. Today’s service project was one that I took part in along with more than 8,000 other volunteers throughout our nation’s capital.
For the past 18 years, Greater DC Cares has organized Servathon – two extraordinary days of service. The first day corporations and their employees participate in region-wide projects that focus on schools, parks, and other community areas. On the second day, individual volunteers join in.
I registered a Year of Giving team for the second day where we were tasked with working on several outdoor projects at the Maya Angelou Evans Campus here in DC – a charter school in Northeast.
Volunteer team at Maya Angelou Evans Campus
As I drove up to the school on Saturday morning colorless skies grew heavy and rain began to fall upon my windshield. I was hoping the rain would hold off until we finished our outdoor projects. We were building a garden area; from constructing the wooden frame that would encompass the area to building benches and painting concrete slabs that would be used as a walkway.
I was in charge of building some of the benches which turned out not to be to be too difficult since all the wood came pre-cut. Thankfully we could do this work indoors, but that wasn’t the case though for several other teams who spent hours in the rain. Mud was everywhere. The beautiful thing about working on these projects together is that despite the thick layer of wet earth that was slathered on our clothes and exposed skin, spirits were bright, friendships were forged and cooperation thrived. Thanks to all of those who came out to support team Year of Giving! Click here to see more photos from the day.
Check out the Greater DC Cares website for other volunteer opportunities such as Servathon. Their next region-wide service day will be held on 9/11, but you can find hundreds of other volunteer opportunities throughout the year on their website.
DC Cares also holds an annual event called IMPACT Summit which focuses on volunteerism, service and philanthropy. As part of the event, they present a series of awards to outstanding organizations and community leaders who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in volunteering. If you know of any organization or individual who should be recognized, please click here to nominate them.
Enjoy your week…hopefully we will have a new kindness investor soon!
Two days in a row, to waking up with more snow on the ground! I know, I live in New England so I should expect it. I do expect it, but to expect it and to like it are two very different things. I am not complaining though. After going to school in upstate New York (Oswego) and seeing snow fall for eighteen straight days one year, I am definitely not complaining. Besides, pitchers and catchers show up for spring training in a little over a month. I didn’t ask today’s recipient, AJ if he was a baseball fan, but you’ll see, at least his heart was in the right place.
He preferred not to have his picture taken, but when asked what he was going to do with the $10, he mentioned his girlfriend’s birthday was coming up quickly and he wanted to get her a necklace she had seen at Claire’s. The necklace apparently had little elephants on it and she was a fan of elephants. I just saw a movie trailer for Water for Elephants recently (a really good book) and wonder if he’ll take her to see it? I took a couple of pictures of the place and was on my way.
Year of Giving 