Happy Friday team!  Here’s what’s going on:

Upcoming Service Events

• Leveling the Playing Field, Sat. Feb. 7, 1-4:30pm — *TIME HAS CHANGED* Volunteers will assist with sorting and inventory at Leveling the Playing Field’s premises.  This is tomorrow, and as of now we have 6 (possibly 7) volunteers committed to the event!
• Service and Meet & Greet with Jubilee, Sat. Feb. 21, 11-3pm — Volunteers are needed to help with seasonal indoor housekeeping (light cleaning & washing) at some of Jubilee’s local residences. This is a great opportunity for volunteers with a special interest in developmental disabilities to meet some of Jubilee’s residents and network with Jubilee’s volunteer coordinator. We need up to 15 volunteers, a few of which will be able to drive from one location to the other.
• Friendship Circle, Sun. Mar. 8 & 22, April 19, May 3 & 17, 1:30-5:30 — These will likely be internal events (staffed by SWE staff/youth development team members rather than community volunteers). The Friendship Circle engages with special needs children and teenagers in activities and opportunities that are typically available to general community members. The events we will be helping with are athletic events; more info will come as we get closer to March.
• Bikes for the World, Sat. Mar. 28, 12-4pm at REI Rockville — Bikes for the World donates good-condition used bikes to developing countries so people can get to work, school and the doctors, and generally enhance their lives through better transport. We’ve led this event two other times for BftW and it’s been a lot of fun (lunch is included!).  We need 5-8 volunteers to help out at the event, but more importantly we need to spread the word about getting people to donate bikes (they also take bike parts in good condition)!
• Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Spectacular, Sat. April 4, 3-7pm — This was sent out already but major details (time and duties) have changed, so take a look! So What Else has been asked by NPS to provide volunteers and staff for recycling and trash pickup throughout the event.  We will be meeting at East Potomac Golf Course parking lot (972 Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DC 20024) and then traveling over together.

Internal News

• Our program of the month is Yoga! Congratulations to Naomi for starting at Springbrook High School– we’ve gotten rave reviews from your classes, and Shady Grove has even requested a staff yoga session due to its reception among their students!
• Roshan has done great work in launching our east county empowerment programs. She’s started mixed programming at Langley Elementary, and we’re looking forward to getting that community involved in our expressive arts, service, and life skills sessions
• We’re ramping up our volunteer engagement and really working on expanding our volunteer base. We’ve been contacted by ~20 people through Volunteer Match this week, and Daphne, Amy, and I will be attending the Montgomery County Volunteer Fair on Feb. 18th to connect with other local organizations and +100 interested volunteers