Hey everyone!

I realize I neglected to introduce myself in last week’s newsblast– sorry about that!  My name is Julie Thompson and I am taking over from Lexi as Director of Communications.  I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone and working with you all to provide the awesome opportunities So What Else offers to the community!

Internal notices

We have a LinkedIn page!!  If you’re on LinkedIn please go “Follow” the company page on your account!  This is a great way to connect with each other, potential volunteers, current and prospective donors, and other like-minded organizations in the area, but we’d like to wait until we have a respectable (read: more than 2 people) following before we start posting and promoting.

We are currently looking for a donated truck to help us support and expand our programming!  If you know of anyone who might be of service please refer them to us or pass along their information for us to contact!
As promised in the Jan. 5th staff meeting, we’ve attached an “On-Site Service Curriculum” to this email.  This semester we are implementing the Big Idea program into every after school class; in the document, you will find several ideas for various on-site service projects to incorporate into the weekly curriculums of our after school programming.  Take a look, and if you have any questions or need any support with logistics, contact Dave, Rachael, or Daphne.

We will soon begin our search for members for our Student Advisory Board, who (among other duties) will help start So What Else service clubs at their various high schools and serve as general leaders and liaisons to the community.  We anticipate them to continue their role over the summer and serve as summer interns with So What Else’s summer session.

We will be spending the week of April 5-11th on a week-long staff workshop.  This is the second of four week-long trainings, and we will be focusing on our themes of service and sustainability by building and landscaping an edible garden, the fruits of which will be donated to the Feed the Mind collaboration between So What Else and Nourish Now.

Providers, please mark your calendars for April 10th for our all-day Olympics event!  We’ll need all hands on deck to man the stations throughout the day and are looking forward to our biggest event of the year!

Upcoming volunteer events and opportunities

We have ongoing opportunities for tutoring, coaching, and mentoring throughout this semester with Scotland Storm, Hearts and Homes, and other regular partners.  Please reach out to us atsowhatelsehelps@gmail.com for more information!

Leveling the Playing Field, Sat. Feb. 7, 2-4pm | 9170 Brookville Road, Silver Spring MD 20910— Volunteers will be helping to sort and inventory donations of sporting equipment.  We will also be filling shoe boxes with used cleats and labeling the boxes before placing on shelves.  Volunteers will be in charge of creating comprehensive lists of everything sorted throughout the day.  Be sure to wear tennis shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!
Earthopia Workshop, Sun. Feb. 22, 1-4pm | 2560 Mill Hill Road, Waldorf MD— Students and community members will get an introduction to permaculture and earth/land stewardship in our So What Else: Southern Maryland kickoff event.

Hampden Family Center Rec Center Clean-up, Sat. Feb. 28, 10-2pm | 1104 W. 36th Street, Baltimore MD 21211— Volunteers needed to assist with maintenance and light repairs at the children’s recreation area of the Hampden Family Center. The Hampden Family Center provides enrichment programs to children and seniors, as well as economic and health support services to the community at large.

Monthly Birthday Party at Sarah’s Hope, Sun. Mar. 1, 6-8pm | 1114 Mount Street, Baltimore MD 21217— We will be joining Sarah’s Hope, a 24-hour shelter for women and children, for a monthly birthday party for all the children in the shelter. There will be cake, games, and arts & crafts as we help celebrate the March birthdays of the shelter.

Strawberry Festival, Sat. May 16, 8:30-4:30pm | Springbrook HS, 201 Valley Brook Drive, Silver Spring MD 20904— Milk Lady Markets’ annual Strawberry Festival is back and requesting 22 volunteers to assist in covering the festival operations from 8:30am and 4:30pm, covering set-up, booth and vendor support, breaking down the stage at the end, picking up loose trash on the grounds, and helping take down the booths and decorations.  This is a great opportunity for volunteers, and all volunteers working the festival will be given a break time to enjoy the attractions!