Student Service Learning Volunteers 

In March of 2010 over 30 students from DeMatha Catholic High School committed to a 4 day "Urban Plunge" to complete several large scale projects with the City of Hyattsville.  Projects included cleaning, organizing and labeling an emergency food pantry, preparing gardens beds, friendly visits, games of cards, BINGO and Wii video games at Friendship Arms; senior and disabled residence.  The group hosted a dinner where students entertained residents with live music, songs and a pinata!  These dedicated student Volunteers removed non-native invasive plants from Magruder Woods, bundled and removed storm damaged branches, removed over 50 bags of trash, construction debris and automobile parts from Heurich Park while also adding accessibility features to Deitz Park.  Over 800 hours of service were recorded for the 2010 Urban Plunge!

Our thanks to DeMatha Catholic High School for a great weekend of service!

         

       

Corporate Volunteerism         

 Our sincere thanks to AOL for a 'Monster Day' of Service!
                         

                  

On Thursday, May 20, 2010 AOL kicked off it's 25th anniversary celebration with a global Volunteer effort. The employee-inspired concept, "Monster Help," references their commitment to donate service hours in areas where they live and work.  The City of Hyattsville benefitted from these efforts with a large scale trash & debris removal in the Melrose Industrial area.  Amongst removing 350 bags of trash, the group also removed plumbing fixtures, furniture and construction debris.  At Magruder Park a second group restored a baseball diamond by removing over grown weeds, sod and rocks.  Those efforts resulted in keeping trash & debris from making its way into the NW Branch of the Anacostia River as well the creation of a playable ball field for city youth!
                                    
Our great thanks & appreciation to Sigma Space Corporation!


            

         

Volunteers from Sigma Space Corporation participated in large scale beautificaiton efforts at Magruder Park on Friday, June 11, 2010.  This hardy group included family and friends that worked in several groups to complete projects.  Volunteers got their hands dirty removing non-native invasive plants such as garlic mustard, bush honey suckle and english ivy from Magruder Woods.  Other groups wore hip waders and climbed into the NW Branch of the Anacostia River to remove pounds of trash & debris.  These Volunteer efforts contribute to the on-going restoration of Magruder Woods and the goal of a trash free Potomac River by 2013!  

Thank you Discovery Communications!

      

On Friday, June 18, 2010 over 2,500 Discovery Communications employees participated in a global day of community service.  The City of Hyattsville, Office of Volunteer Services partnered with local Discovery Volunteers to host a day of service at Magruder Park.  Discovery Volunteers worked along side city staff to prepare the recreation building for the up-coming Summer Camp programs.  Volunteers washed floors, walls, scoured the kitchen, organized crafts and games.  Camp materials were then packed and  distributed to  various camp locations throughout the city.  Discovery Volunteers also added a fresh coat of paint to the picnic pavillion.  Those efforts ensured that city Summer Camps were readied for campers!

Community Service
 
2010 Earth Day Clean-Up Efforts                                                           

Great Job Boy Scouts of America Cub Scout Pack 224!

BSA Scout Pack 224 participate in 2010 Earth Day Clean-Up activity.  Each year Pack 224 and their families commit to keeping Melrose Neighborhood Park clean by removing bags and bags of trash & debris.  This year  Pack 224 also removed car tires, discarded lumber, PVC pipes and an assortment of metal pieces.