Showing posts with label Projects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Projects. Show all posts
Monday, September 7, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Community Clean-up
Yesterday, I spent 4 hours scouring a half mile segment of the Potomac Riverbed along the Four-mile Run trail. The weather was beautiful, sunny and the perfect temperature. I participated in this activity in conjunction with my church congregation's community service outreach activities. We had 58 people come to help clean-up the riverbed which was a phenomenal turnout. We also had all ages helping in the effort from around 2 years old to 60s.
What was super cool about the event was that not only did church members come and participate but also members of the community who were not members of our congregation. It was so fun to meet neighbors and work together to make the trail a more pleasant place. I was particularily impressedby two young boys (who lived in the next county) came to join our efforts. As they were waiting for their mother to pick them up, I chatted with them about their experience during the morning hours. They talked about all the random things they found, about falling into the water (which I actually wouldn't be surprised if they did that on purpose), and how many bags of trash and recycleables they filled. They came to help in order to get extra credit for school but what was interesting was that they both agreed that they had fun. I was shocked when one boy said, "It was so fun cleaning up the river and a lot better option than sitting at home watching tv or playing video games." (I'm not making this up...promise.)
Another cool thing that happened often as we picked up trash was that as bikers and joggers passed us they would often call down a "thank you" for our efforts. Others would also inquire about what our group was and how we organized this activity.
We collected around 100 bags of trash and recyclables and we could have kept going. There is still much more to do along the river, but every effort helps us get a bit closer.
What was super cool about the event was that not only did church members come and participate but also members of the community who were not members of our congregation. It was so fun to meet neighbors and work together to make the trail a more pleasant place. I was particularily impressedby two young boys (who lived in the next county) came to join our efforts. As they were waiting for their mother to pick them up, I chatted with them about their experience during the morning hours. They talked about all the random things they found, about falling into the water (which I actually wouldn't be surprised if they did that on purpose), and how many bags of trash and recycleables they filled. They came to help in order to get extra credit for school but what was interesting was that they both agreed that they had fun. I was shocked when one boy said, "It was so fun cleaning up the river and a lot better option than sitting at home watching tv or playing video games." (I'm not making this up...promise.)
Another cool thing that happened often as we picked up trash was that as bikers and joggers passed us they would often call down a "thank you" for our efforts. Others would also inquire about what our group was and how we organized this activity.
We collected around 100 bags of trash and recyclables and we could have kept going. There is still much more to do along the river, but every effort helps us get a bit closer.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Service in Guatemala
One of the exciting things I will be participating in this year is a trip to Guatemala to help individuals and families who live in the Polochic Region. A group of approximately 200 people will travel to this region to spend a week helping to stregthen the communities. The trip is scheduled for August 8-18, 2009.
We are partnering with Choice Humanitarian to lead a group of people to Guatemala to build a health clinic and school in a region that has much need. To learn more abut Choice see their website at http://choicehumanitarian.org/. You can also view some video clips about their organization at the botom of this blogsite.
Over the next few months, we will be making preparations which include fundraising, developing workshops, and making travel preparations. To find out more about the project, visit the facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52363113880 or just give me a ring and I'd be happy to tell you more.
If you know anyone who would like to participate in this type of service opportunity please pass the information along.
We are partnering with Choice Humanitarian to lead a group of people to Guatemala to build a health clinic and school in a region that has much need. To learn more abut Choice see their website at http://choicehumanitarian.org/. You can also view some video clips about their organization at the botom of this blogsite.
Over the next few months, we will be making preparations which include fundraising, developing workshops, and making travel preparations. To find out more about the project, visit the facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=52363113880 or just give me a ring and I'd be happy to tell you more.
If you know anyone who would like to participate in this type of service opportunity please pass the information along.
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