For Immediate Release: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Local residents are invited make plans now to give a few hours of their time to the community by joining family, friends, neighbors, fellow students and co-workers for Community Service Day weekend – October 23 and 24.
County Executive Leggett is encouraging residents to get involved and make a difference. “As you meet your friends and neighbors in the coming days, ask them ‘Where will you be serving the community on October 23-24?’”
There are many options for volunteering on Community Service Day weekend. Groups can develop their own projects or select one of the many opportunities offered by nonprofits through the Volunteer Center’s website, which also has a list of organizations hosting collection drives of food, clothing and other items. For more information on how to sign up for volunteer projects on Community Service Day weekend, visit the Volunteer Center’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteer and click on the Community Service Day link at the top of the page.
Following are a few examples of volunteer projects needing workers that will take place around the County:
Bethesda – Saturday October 23
Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment (FORCE) will be promoting a healthy and sustainable Rock Creek watershed through conservation, education, and restoration. Volunteers will clean up streams in Bethesda, Kensington, Silver Spring and Rockville. Contact Ellen Quigley at 301-942-4567 or [email protected].
Damascus – Saturday, October 23
Clean Up Damascus Day -- The first, all-day Clean Up Damascus effort will begin at
7 a.m. at 10 cleanup sites. Volunteer jobs include landscaping, tree removal, gravel spreading, post mounting, trail clearing, sign painting, floor cleaning, pool table moving, Xerox machine repair, trash removal, light rotation, crack filling, parking lot striping and after party setup and cooking. All ages welcome.
Contact [email protected].
Germantown – Saturday, October 23
Button Farm Gleaning Project – The Menare Foundation is hosting a gleaning project for Manna Food Center at the Button Farm Living History Center. Volunteers will help pick produce, clear garden beds and prep the soil for next year's crop to help feed Montgomery County families. Suitable tasks for 4th graders to adults. Bring your own water, bagged lunch and gloves, and dress to get dirty. Individual volunteers may just show up. Groups of 10 or more should RSVP to Phyllis Peterson at [email protected].
Olney – Sunday, October 24
WSSC -- Triadelphia Recreation Area is home to birds, trees, wildflowers and wildlife, as well as to many invasive weeds that are smothering trees and wildflowers. Volunteers are needed to help remove the weeds in order to create room and resources for the wildflowers to continue to grow and thrive. Good opportunity for groups. Contact Kimberley M. Knox at 301-206-8233 or [email protected].
Silver Spring – Saturday, October 23
Pine Crest Elementary School PTA -- Property beautification project. Activities for volunteers include litter removal, weeding flower beds, planting spring bulbs and spreading mulch. Elementary students are encouraged to participate with parental supervision. Older students also welcome. If possible, bring a pair of gardening gloves, hand shovel and/or rake. Contact Danielle Brabazon at [email protected].
Countywide: Donations for the Manna Food Center will be collected throughout the weekend at area Giant Food locations. Donations for the Interfaith Clothing Center will be collected at area farmers markets. For a listing of sites, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteer and click on the Community Service Day link at the top of the page.
Community Service Day is one of the Volunteer Center’s three Seasons of Service days created to encourage volunteering and the spirit of giving among county residents. This year’s Seasons of Service sponsors are The Gazette, M&T Bank, The Community Foundation and Text Design.
For more information, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/volunteer, or contact the Montgomery County Volunteer Center at [email protected] or 240-777-2600.
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Media contact: Bonnie Ayers, 240-777-6507
Program details: Lucy Yost, Volunteer Center, 240-777-2618 or [email protected]