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2011-12-10T20:47:00.000-05:00

HOLIDAY WREATHS FOR 90,000 HEADSTONES

The holidays bring with them lots of opportunities to do something for others. Food drives, toy donations, all those red-suited guys standing in front of stores ringing their bells. But last month a friend told us about what has to be one of the most unique volunteer activities around DC.

Liz places a wreath on a headstone at Arlington Cemetery.

On the second Saturday of each December, hundreds of people gather at Arlington National Cemetery to recognize fallen troops by placing wreaths at their headstones. The folks at Wreaths Across America, a non-profit started 20 years ago in Maine, host the event together with individual sponsors like you and me, corporate donors (not like you and me) and volunteer truck drives to haul the wreaths.

Good start, but more work to be done.

This year, we gathered up a few co-workers and, together with thousands of others, helped make 2011 a record breaking year by laying more than 90,000 wreaths on grave markers throughout the Cemetery. It's an amazing sight to see, those thousands of headstones decorated with wreaths and a red bow to mark the holidays. It's even more impressive for the families of those who paid the ultimate price for their country.

2011-11-20T19:42:00.001-05:00

BULB BASH ON MARION STREET

To volunteer, donate or learn more about the Marion Street Garden in Washington, DC's Shaw neighborhood, contact Lola at lola@cityblossoms.org

2011-11-13T12:59:00.000-05:00

WHERE COMPOST IS KING

Call me crazy, but I can't say I've ever dreamed of spending the good part of a Saturday shoveling worm poop.

When Liz said the folks out at ECO City Farms needed some volunteer assistance to help them prep for a long-planned expansion of their urban farm, I imagined a day of hard labor working the fields like we did growing up back home in Louisiana. Maybe pick some peas, hoe a few rows of leafy greens, or even feed the free-range ducks and chickens they raise out in Edmonston, MD, wherever that is.

I had it wrong.

2011-11-06T17:44:00.000-05:00

DOG DAYS OF FALL

Why do they call it fall? Because that's what leaves do this time of year.

Gravity-challenged and short-lived, leaves transform in November from verdant shade givers into red, yellow and brown billboards announcing the arrival of autumn and, worse, the impending return of another winter. It's a little like the finale of a fireworks show--brilliant to watch, but man, it sure does get dark soon after.

Another interesting thing about leaves, at least here in the city, is that they cover virtually every single thing along the many oak-lined streets, like ours. That includes the tiny yards, parked cars, flower beds and narrow sidewalks. The volume of fallen foliage, while nice to look at, will quickly clog storm drains and basically clutter up the place.

Time for 1 OF 7. Put on a jacket, grab a rake, sling the camera over a shoulder and out in the wild streets we go to protect DC's drainage system and tidy up the 'hood a bit. Turns out raking your way down a leaf-covered sidewalk is fun. Neighbors come out and talk. Kids do what kids instinctively do when they see a leaf pile (minus the lit matches). The best part had to be watching the confused canines, particularly the smaller ones, as they sniffed and yawned and peed and played their way down the street, disappearing under the islands of fallen leaves we left behind, before launching themselves from underneath, dog and owner as happy as should be expected while sober on a breezy Friday in November.

Volunteering doesn't have to be hard or far from home. It doesn't need to be planned in advance. Sometimes the opportunity just falls right in front of you.

PHOTO CAPTION: Neighborhood mascot Tennyson bores quickly of playing pointlessly in the autumn leaves. It was fun while it lasted.

2011-10-22T23:01:00.000-04:00

MEETING OUR NEW BEST BUDDIES

It's not everyday you get to watch the sun rise slowly over the ivory dome of the nation's Capitol. Why? Because that's way too early to be awake, particularly on a chilly Saturday morning in October.

But that lovely sight was the treat for the hundreds of bikers, walkers, racers and volunteers--including Maria Shriver, Olympian Carl Lewis, and Kool and the Gang, among others (and me...but not my wife still at home, warm and in bed, no doubt)--who ventured out to the National Mall on a crystal clear day to support the DC leg of the Best Buddies Challenge.

Despite my initial trepidation and the chilly bike ride downtown, the immense suffering was so worth it. My job was to meet up with a group of co-workers I'd organized (cajoled? tricked?) into joining me to volunteer at the event, which raises money and hope for kids with intellectual disabilities.

The Best Buddies Challenge, a massive contest happening in various cities around the country, is a legit undertaking, offering participants a 100km and 20-mile bike ride, as well as a 5k run/walk. While none of our folks participated in the race, our Best Buddies staff coordinator bestowed upon us the crown jewel of volunteer gigs--circle the start/finish area, ring customized-cow bells, scream like crazy, and then, one-by-one, place medals around the necks of the exhausted but elated racers as they crossed the finish line.

"Are you kidding?" I asked her, when she told me what we'd be doing. She wasn't. And I'm not kidding when I tell you that I've never seen such joy on the faces of so many people as the hundreds who passed through our ranks that day. For many of the racers, most of whom either have intellectual disabilities themselves or had family/friends who do, this was the culmination of months, if not years, of intense labor, training and effort. And there we were, helping cheer them on as they crossed the finish line, and then were allowed to present them their well-earned Best Buddies Challenge medals for all they did.

The sunrise...OK, that was special. But playing even a small part in the lives of such amazing people--wow! I may get up early again soon...like maybe next year when the Challenge comes through town.

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For more info on Best Buddies, check out http://www.bestbuddieschallenge.org/. The organization was founded by Anthony Shriver, son of Special Olympics founder Sargent Shriver, and does some amazing stuff for people with intellectual disabilities.

CLEANING UP CANCUN

2011-10-06T22:58:00.001-04:00

ROCK CREEK CLEAN UP FOR NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY

2011-09-24T19:30:00.000-04:00

Ranger Scott Einberger briefs volunteers in Rock Creek Park as part of National Public Lands Day.

Volunteer Liz Zipse daintily picks up an unknown trash item from the shores of Rock Creek. Dirty work, indeed.

Liz and Kip getting in their 1 OF 7.

CANOEING THE ANACOSTIA ON INTNTL COASTAL CLEAN UP DAY

2011-09-17T22:10:00.000-04:00

2011-09-06T23:01:00.000-04:00

DC PUBLIC SCHOOLS BEAUTIFICATION DAY 2011

2011-08-20T22:01:00.000-04:00

More than 30 folks came out to help prepare Francis Stevens Elementary for the first day of classes.

Volunteer Nick Bourke delivering the goods.

Beautifying the grounds with volunteer Stella Holt.

DE-TRASHING THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE

2011-07-29T15:57:00.001-04:00

TRASHING THE DIVIDE?!

People throw trash everywhere. In rivers, parks, sidewalks, city streets...even atop the Continental Divide in Colorado, where we spent some time between hikes, cleaning up litter along the roadside and tidying up around camp sites and public rest areas. While most folks abide by the "leave no trace" philosophy, a few hold outs from the old days...way back when it was "normal" to throw trash from a moving vehicle...are still out there. If you see one, let them know those times are way gone.