Six Last-Minute Community Service Opportunties

If you're in need of a few more (or a lot more) hours before the May 15th deadline, check out the community service opportunities listed below. Remember to get a community service form from either the Programs Office or the Main Office!

1. Saturday, May 11th: Help Clean up the Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th St. NE)

2. Attend ADL and Green Club after school! Every Monday and Thursday from 3:45pm -5:00pm. ADL meets in Room 106, and Green Club meets in Room 111.

3. The Programs Office is sponsoring Community Service events with WIN, the Washington Interfaith Network, on Wednesday, May 8th, and on other days TBD. If you're interested in attending, talk to Ms. Boehle-Silva.

4. Sign up HERE to work at Kenilworth Gardens, the aquatic park located in Anacostia on Saturday, May 18th. 

5. Sign up online to work with the Capital Area Food Bank: http://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/volunteer/.

6. Sign up for a shift with DC Central Kitchen: http://dccentralkitchen.volunteerhub.com/Events/Index.

Sign up to Volunteer with Easter Seals

Creating solutions and changing lives is what we do at Easter Seals. Join us and you, too, can make a difference and help people with disabilities achieve their goals. Volunteer your time to share your talents, whether performing office work, volunteering at events and camps, or another way you can help.

Need more convincing? In the words of Edgar "Daddy" Allen, founder of Easter Seals, "We have but one life. We get nothing out of that life except by putting something into it. To relieve suffering, to help the unfortunate, to do kind acts and deeds is, after all, the one sure way to secure happiness or to achieve real success. Your life and mine shall be valued not by what we take...but by what we give."

Sign up to volunteer here, or call 800-886-3771 or 301-931-8700.

Volunteer with Martha's Table

Beginning with humble roots in 1980, Martha’s Table was originally a place for children to receive free sandwiches and food after school.  We gradually grew to address the additional needs of the community by finding solutions to poverty in the short and long term.  We address emergency needs with food and clothing programs and break the long cycle of poverty with education and family support services.

As availability in our schedule allows, Martha's Table is able to accommodate those completing school or court mandated community service. Prior to your arrival, you must schedule an appointment with the Volunteer Program Assistant to receive approval to volunteer at Martha's Table, complete our Community Service Orientation, and discuss necessary paperwork and tracking of hours.

Contact our Volunteer Assistant at 202.328.6608 x 212 or volunteer@marthastable.org to schedule a COURT or SCHOOL Community Service appointment and Orientation.

Earn your hours at Capital Area Food Bank

The mission of the Capital Area Food Bank is to feed those who suffer from hunger in the Washington metro area by acquiring food and distributing it through its network of partner agencies; and educating, empowering and enlightening the community about the issues of hunger and nutrition. CAFB is a member of Feeding America, a national network of 200 food banks.

CAFB by the Numbers

The Capital Area Food Bank:

• Distributes 30 million pounds of food annually, half of which is fresh produce; 84,000 pounds of food daily and 500,000 pounds each week.
• Serves 478,100 people in the region struggling with hunger.
• Delivers 70 fresh produce drops each month to 40 sites in low-income neighborhoods.
• Spends 92 cents of each dollar raised for food distribution, transportation and programs.
• Provides nutrition and education training to more than 1,000 adults and children annually through CAFB programs.

To sign up, go to: https://capitalareafoodbank.volunteermatrix.com/

Find a Volunteer Opportunity for the MLK Day of Service!

DC has many volunteer opportunities over the Inaugural/MLK Day weekend (January 19th-21st)--Register for one today to make sure you can get your community service hours!

Here are a couple of links to register for community service opportunities:

• Unite America in Service Event at Stadium Armory, January 19th. 
• Volunteer for Inauguration Weekend on the National Mall. 
• Look up a service event in your neighborhood for MLK day. 

Community Service Opportunities Over Winter Break

If you're one of the many students looking for how to get some community service hours over the break, check out these six opportunities: 

*Remember to pick up your community service form BEFORE you leave for break! You can get a form from Ms. Hutchinson in the Main Office. 




1. Food and Friends is in Fort Totten and has holiday volunteer opportunities: http://www.foodandfriends.org/site/pp.asp?c=ckLSI8NNIdJ2G&b=7968713

2. Neighborhood Farm Initiative  is a farm right near the Ft. Totten metro station, and students can email Kristen Georger to see if they need any help over the break:

http://www.neighborhoodfarminitiative.org/volunteer/volunteer/

3. You can also email wangarigardens@gmail.com and ask Josh Singer or Sarah McLaughlin if they have any volunteer opportunities at Wangari Gardens, a community garden in NE DC, near the Washington Hospital Center. 

4. We Are Family DC has the following volunteer opportunities over Winter Break. To sign up, go to: www.wearefamilydc.org/calendar and click on the “Volunteer” button next to the date you want to volunteer.

Holiday Gift Wrapping Party

Tuesday, December 18 – 5pm-8pm

See Volunteer Spot sign up for location details

North Capitol Grocery Delivery

Saturday, December 22 – 10am-1pm

Meet at the Metro Community Church, 474 Ridge Street NW

2.5 blocks from the Convention Center metro, near 5th & M Sts NW

Holiday Gift Wrapping Party

Tuesday, December 23 – 3pm-6pm

See Volunteer Spot sign up for location details

Holiday Gift Delivery

Tuesday, December 25, 10 am – 1 pm

Meet at the Metro Community Church, 474 Ridge Street NW, 

2.5 blocks from the Convention Center metro, near 5th & M Sts NW

5. Books to Prisons: Information is Hope!

Location: Foundry Methodist Church

Address: 1500 16th ST NW, Washington, DC 20036

Date: Wed, January 2^nd  5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Description: Come spend an evening reading letters from prisoners and answering their book requests, some of which are very interesting! We will select books according to these requests from prisoners around the country and package them for sending.

Other Info: Please bring any paper grocery bags that you have at home and don't need. They use them to pack the books and have a tough time getting enough. The books we most need right now are African American books (about or by), Westerns, Spanish learning books, Native Americans, dictionaries, GED, math, basic literacy, drawing, and science paperbacks - donations are welcome!

Since 1999, a concerned all-volunteer group of individuals has been responding to requests from prisoners around the country for books. They also develop and support local prison libraries. Unlike many programs, they do not limit requests to a particular geographic area or, for example, to women. Thus they receive a tremendous amount of requests from prisoners around the country and are truly swamped. In the past twelve months, they have sent out close to 4,000 packages containing over 10,000 books. These packages have gone to prisoners in 150 different prisons in all 50 states. The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration levels in the world (1 in 37 adults), but many prisoners have little access to books or educational material. Many face substantial barriers and are cut off from family and friends on the outside. While some prisons have libraries, many do not. Of those that do, access and selection can be extremely limited. Often, prisoners are not allowed to receive books from friends or family.

Transit: Located 2.5 blocks east of Dupont Circle. To get there via metro, one can either take the red line to Dupont Circle, leave via the south entrance, walk partially around the circle to P St. and go east 2.5 blocks. To get there via the blue/orange line, one can go to McPherson Square, leave via the White House exit, walk one block west on I St. Once you get to 16th St., wait for buses heading north (come about every 5 minutes or so, before 7:30). When the bus goes through the tunnel, pull the "stop requested" wire and get off at the next stop which is the intersection of P St and 16th St.

Please Note: Once you get to the church (door on 16th St.) ring the doorbell to be let in, then go downstairs to the basement. Turn left, go to end of hall, then turn right, and we are the last door on the right after the bathrooms (B2). There is not a parking lot, but it is generally not too difficult to find street parking if you look around a bit.

1500 16th ST NW, Washington, DC 20036

6. 2011 Holiday Gift Wrapping Fundraiser Arms Outstretched Ministry

GIFT WRAPPING SERVICE FUNDRAISER..VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:

Dec 7 through 24

Mon-Sat: 12:00-9:00 p.m.

Sundays: 10:00 am-6;00 p.m.

Dec 24th: 8:00 am-6:00 p.m. To sign up, email:

armsoutstretchedministry@yahoo.com

Fashion Center At Pentagon City
100 South Haynes Street
Arlington, VA

View Map

We hope you can make it!

All proceeds benefit our wounded warrior and Adopt a Soldier programs, along with other programs to the community through ARMS OUTSTRETCHED MINISTRY, INC. Learn more about our cause and programs at www.armsoutstretchedministry.com armsoutstretchedministry@yahoo.com

Sign Up for Make A Difference Day 2012!

For more than 20 years, USA WEEKEND Magazine and Points of Light have joined together to sponsor Make A Difference Day, the largest national day of community service. On Saturday, October 27th, millions of volunteers from around the world unite in a common mission to improve the lives of others.

Make A Difference Day shows that anyone - regardless of age, location or resources - can accomplish amazing things when they take on the problems they see in their community. Recognizing the power of Make A Difference Day, other   organizations join with USA WEEKEND and Points of Light each year to inspire and recognize the valuable work of volunteers. 

Want to get involved with Make A Different Day? Register your service project or find a volunteer opportunity with the Make A Difference Day DaytaBank.

Make A Difference Day 2012 is October 27th: 

Find a Volunteer Opportunity Near You!

Volunteer with the DC Public Library!

The District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) is a vibrant center of activity for residents and visitors in the nation's capital. The library provides environments that invite reading, learning and community discussion and equips people to learn all their lives, to embrace diversity and to build a thriving city. DCPL is proud to be a recognized force in the community for engaging the mind, expanding opportunities and elevating the quality of life.

DCPL offers regular and periodic volunteer opportunities, including a teen- and high school-specific volunteer program, for interested individuals ages 14 and up.  Whether you are new in town, a long-time District resident, college student or library professional, DCPL could use your support to carry out its important work. With 24 neighborhood libraries, in addition to DCPL's central Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, there is bound to be a convenient location near you.

For more information on DCPL volunteer opportunities, visit the DCPL volunteer program online or contact them at (202) 741-5803 or libraryvolunteers@dc.gov.

Last-Minute Community Service Opportunity at Anacostia Park THIS Saturday!

Looking to earn some community service hours this weekend? Grab a community service form and head over to Anacostia Park this Saturday, September 28th.

The DMV Tigers, a regional netball team, will be playing at the park from 3-7pm, and they need volunteers!

Show up with your community service form and ask for Jaqueline McGant.

Calling all Green Thumbs to Wangari Gardens THIS Saturday!

Guess What? It's Fall!

A Fall Pumpkin Growing at Wangari Gardens!

Come celebrate the season with Wangari Gardens, a community garden and public park in near Washington Hospital Center. This Saturday, September 29th, Wangari Gardens will be working with other DC organizations to plant trees, fall gardens, and more!
Lunch will be provided.

No need to call ahead, just show up with your community service form in hand! (Ask for Josh or Sarah.)

Need a community service form? Come to the Programs Office (Room 210) or get one in the Main Office!

Back to School with Reading Partners!

 Coming soon to a lunch near YOU! Reading Partners connects elementary school students with 1:1 tutors to help improve their reading and literacy skills.


You don't need any tutoring experience to tutor with Reading Partners--and it can take as little time as 45 minutes per week!

Opportunities are available Monday-Thursday at 11 locations throughout DC. For more information, check out their table during lunch next week, or go to www.readingpartners.org

Volunteer with America the Beautiful and Take Home Free Seeds!

Free Veggie and Flower Seeds Available from America the Beautiful Fund! 

 

Volunteer at the America the Beautiful Fund seed warehouse and take home all the veggie and flower seeds you could ever want! If you or your group are interested in volunteering at least 4 hours during the week or weekend helping us to sort seed packets, please contact Katie at katie@america-the-beautiful.org to set up a day! No skill required, everyone 10 and over welcome!

Help Feed Seniors in Need with We Are Family DC

We Are Family coordinates monthly grocery deliveries to 450 seniors in the North Capitol/Shaw and Columbia Heights/Park View neighborhoods. We need your help to make this happen!  

We gather at either the Metropolitan Community Church or Kelsey Apartments to assemble the grocery bags and then split up into groups to deliver the groceries to seniors in various homes, individual apartments, and senior housing buildings. These seniors are facing poverty and social isolation that puts them at risk for hunger as well as other dangers. These deliveries are scheduled at the time in the month where their financial assistance is running low and they are likely facing tough choices like whether to keep their power on, pay for medicine, or feed themselves. 

With the current economic problems many seniors are getting less support and are facing higher costs, furthering their desperation. You can help make an immense difference in their lives!

We Are Family coordinates monthly grocery deliveries to 450 seniors in the North Capitol/Shaw and Columbia Heights/Park View neighborhoods. We need your help to make this happen! We gather at either the Metropolitan Community Church or Kelsey Apartments to assemble the grocery bags and then split up into groups to deliver the groceries to seniors in various homes, individual apartments, and senior housing buildings. These seniors are facing poverty and social isolation that puts them at risk for hunger as well as other danger...

Read More

To sign up for this and other volunteer opportunities, check out this webpage: http://www.wearefamilydc.org/volunteer/

Help St. Jude by Volunteering with the Great Urban Race

Great Urban Race is partnering up with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers, for the third year in 2012, after fundraising over $300,000 to date. You can support St. Jude by simply volunteering for Great Urban Race events.

The race will take place Downtown Washington D.C. on 5/12/12 and volunteers will be needed for a variety of jobs. The best volunteers are the ones who arrive with a smile and interact with participants. It's a fun-filled, fast-paced day for participants, staff, and volunteers alike! Volunteer shifts are from 10am-5pm.

Please contac...

Read More

Great Urban Race is partnering up with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , one of the world’s premier pediatric cancer research centers, for the third year in 2012, after fundraising over $300,000 to date. You can support St. Jude by simply volunteering for Great Urban Race events.

The race will take place Downtown Washington D.C. on 5/12/12 and volunteers will be needed for a variety of jobs. The best volunteers are the ones who arrive with a smile and interact with participants. It's a fun-filled, fast-paced day for participants, staff, and volunteers alike! Volunteer shifts are from 10am-5pm. 

Please contact us at greaturbanrace@stjude.org for more information on how to become a volunteer at The Great Urban Race Washington D.C. and support St. Jude!

Please register by 5/7/12 to be a part of this great event.

Can't Wait for Spring Break? Sign Up to Volunteer with an Easter Egg Hunt!

If you're looking to earn some community service hours over spring break, check out this event sponsored by Greater DC Cares:

Easter Egg Hunt

You can sign up to volunteer on the bottom of the page.

Neighboring Now: Beat the Streets with MPD

Volunteer Now and Throughout the Summer!

Greater DC Cares

In collaboration with the Metropolitan Police Department, HandsOn Greater DC Cares and other local partners, residents throughout the District will be invited out for a day of celebration in their communities! The "Beat the Streets" Movement was started to dispel violence, improve community relations and encourage citizens to live peacefully.

Music, food and games will be available at each event. The local government, the community, health and non-Profit agencies will also provide relevant services (Jobs, health screenings, aging information, mentoring services, etc.) to our District residents.  Bringing together these supporters allows access to information, applications and appointments which will help our Citizens succeed.  

Six events from May until September will be held in various neighborhoods throughout the District. Two shifts of volunteers throughout the day are requested for each event: a team to set-up (3PM - 5:30PM) and a team to break-down (5:30PM - 8PM). If you are able to stay for the entire day, we'd love to have you and invite you to enjoy the event! Volunteers will also be asked to assist in food preparation and serving, engage with residents, and to help residents find different services available at the event.

Friday, May 18th, 2012 - 10 M Street NW (Raindate on Friday, May 25th)
Friday, June 15th, 2012 - 14th & Saratoga Street NE (Raindate on Friday, June 22nd)
Wednesday, July 11th, 2012 - 5400 Illinois Avenue NW (Raindate on Wednesday, July 18th)
Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 - 3000 Buena Vista Terrace SE (Raindate on Wednesday, August 1st)
Wednesday, August 15th, 2012 - 600 Park Road NW (Raindate on Wednesday, August 22nd)
Friday, September 21st, 2012 - 4500 Quarles Street NE (Raindate on Friday, September 28th)

For more information or to learn other ways in which you can participate, feel free to contact Officer Arthur Douglas at arthur.douglas@dc.gov. You can also contact one of the Neighboring Now representatives: Kierra Clark (kclark@greaterdccares.org | 202-777-4459) or Amanda Moore (amoore@greaterdccares.org | 202-777-4448).

 

Celebrate the National Cherry Blossom Festival with Service

March 20-April 27, 2012: National Cherry Blossom Festival volunteers provide more than support, they play an instrumental role in an important District of Columbia community tradition and, this year, will be a part of history as the Festival celebrates the 100th anniversary of the "Gift of Trees" from Tokyo to Washington, DC.

Festival organizers seek friendly, cooperative, and reliable volunteers who are at least 18 years of age. Knowledge about Washington, DC and the surrounding area is especially helpful - many visitors are from out of town and may need advice getting around. Various opportunities are available and groups are welcome and encouraged to register.

For more information, visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival volunteer page or email Sue Murphy.

Give Back Outside: Volunteer at the National Arboretum

March 24, 2012: Do you enjoy working with people and being outdoors? Are you a lifelong learner? The U.S. National Arboretum seeks volunteer guides and docents to share their love of plants and the Arboretum with visitors from around the world. 

Arboretum docents enhance the visitor experience by providing valuable information and answering questions at the front desk or at outdoor information stations; Guides connect visitors to the Arboretum through interpretive tours, including walking tours of individual collections or bus tours of the entire grounds for individual and group visitors. Volunteer trainings are ongoing, the next training is March 24.

For more information, visit the National Arboretum volunteer page or email the Volunteer Office.