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I’m Back and Ready for New York Cares Day

1 Oct

After a few weeks vacation, I’m back in New York. I missed the September 20th volunteer project sign-up on New York Cares website, so I’m running low on ideas this week for volunteer opportunities; if there’s someplace you’d like to see me volunteer and write about, please comment below with your suggestions!

Meanwhile, I’m getting ready for New York Cares Day on October 17th. New York Cares will mobilize 8,000 volunteers and dispatch them throughout the 5 boroughs. According to their website, “The Department of Education lost $180 million from its budget last year, forcing schools to cut or postpone revitalization and upkeep projects.1”

This day of service will help to make up for lost funding by enlisting the citizens of New York to paint, plant, and organize public schools across the city. In addition, this is a huge fundraising push for New York Cares; money raised will go towards supporting their year-round projects, many of which address the needs of public schools and their students. I’ve created a team for the day, Give and Get NYC, made up of friends and coworkers. We’ll be at an elementary school in Brooklyn from 9:30am – 3:30pm, helping to create a brighter and safer learning enviornment by doing a number of projects ranging from painting bookcases to planting bulbs in the school’s garden. I’m really looking forward to getting my hands dirty for the day and transforming the school for these kids. Fingers crossed for awesome weather and sun!

If you’d like to join me and my team on New York Cares Day, or sign up as an individual, there are still 8 days left before registration ends on the 9th. You can go to the New York Cares Day website and click ‘Join a Team’ on the left, and find Give and Get NYC in the list. Alternatively, you can sign up as an individual and be placed in an area that is in need of more volunteers; they are still 1,000 volunteers short of their 8,000 goal.  You will need to pay a $20 registration fee, which is used to offset the cost of supplies and materials for the day (i.e. paint, rollers, flowers, etc). If you’re unable to help out but still want to make a contribution, you can visit my team’s homepage and make a donation by clicking here.

If you have questions or comments, please leave them here or email me: info@giveandgetnyc.org

Gardening at Future Leaders Institute

9 Aug

What: weeding and garden maintenance

Where: Future Leaders Institute, Morningside Heights, with New York Cares

When: Thursday, 6-8pm

When you arrive at the address for Future Leaders Institute charter school, you’ll notice that the name above the entrance is Hans Christian Andersen Complex. Enter. You’ll meet your team leader there and head over to the gardens, where you can begin on a number of tasks. I was given some options: 1, pulling weeds in the rocks and flower bed; 2, chopping and pulling large, 5′-6′ tall weeds; or 3, discerning what is a weed and what is a not, and pulling the weed. I immediately eliminated the 3rd option, as I have no idea how to differentiate a weed from a plant. I’m pretty sure one of my house plants is actually a weed. The second option seemed like a fun challenge, but I wasn’t sure if I trusted myself with a weedwacker. So I chose the low-and-slow weeding option #1.

Though it was a small area, me and my fellow volunteers (I think there were about 7 of us in one garden) pulled those suckers for 2 hours straight and just barely finished. Even though it was hard work, it was oddly calming. There were a few pedestrians walking around, but other than that, it was a perfect, mind-numbing activity done in relative silence; I welcome things like this after a hectic day at work.  Another great thing with a project like this is that you can see the difference you’re making, literally. I posted some pictures below of the before and after; I never realized how ugly weeds are until this day. I used to love dandelions-I’m a changed woman.

At the end of 2 hours, we had made a huge dent in the work needed to get this garden looking 100% awesome and well-manicured. Luckily, it will continue to get better, since this wasn’t a one time activity; this was only the second session, & ‘Gardening at the Future Leaders Institute’ will continue to run through the school year. After the maintenance and weeding are done, the project will begin to include the students, teaching them how to garden and participate in hands-on activities. And they’re lucky-I was huffing the sweet smell of fresh rosemary and loving it. These kids have a source of fresh basil, thyme, tomatoes, and much more to look forward to.

I usually end my posts with ‘other things to know’, but I can’t take full credit for the helpful tidbits this time;  NY Cares team leader Nada gave a full description of what to wear, subway directions, even weather reports the day of the activity. So, besides my advice, which is that you should bring some bug spray, here are some other things Nada the team leader will tell you:

  • Be on time! The project is only two hours long.
  • Wear comfortable clothing that can get dirty.
  • Relax, and be kind to your back [and knees]- be sure to get up and stretch from time to time.
  • Ask if you have any questions.

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Hands On New York Day

26 Apr

What: Revitalize parks, gardens, playgrounds, community centers, and schools

Where: Bronx River Park, through New York Cares

When: Saturday, 830am-2pm

Hands On New York Day is one of New York Cares biggest days of the year. They mobilized about 5,000 volunteers, in partnership with the MillionTrees initiative, and sent them out to about 75 parks and gardens throughout the 5 boroughs. Some people planted trees, others re-painted fences or picked up trash; volunteers were doing whatever was necessary to fit the needs of the park/garden/school to revitalize and beautify the site.

I volunteered to be a registration leader and ambassador; the first job required that I register volunteers as they arrived at the site, give them a t-shirt, collect a registration fee if necessary, and have them sign a waiver. The ambassador’s (also me), were then supposed to collect all of the registration materials, money and any extra t-shirts, and bring them back to the New York Cares office on W. 29th Street. Though I’m sure that  it wasn’t the case at most of the sites, ours had some major issues that caused a late start. The directions that were sent out to most of the volunteers (including me, who was supposed to be at the site early) were wrong, so people had to get back on the subway and go two more stops to the correct meeting spot. It was really confusing; to add to this, I took the wrong train to begin with, so I was already running late. But that’s my own fault for being directionally challenged.

All of that aside, the Bronx River Alliance did a great job getting people registered and into t-shirts before we got there, and throughout the day were extremely helpful and knowledgeable about their park. It was a great day to  be outside and planting trees. This is an annual event, so you’ll have to wait until next year to try this activity out, but there are tons of opportunities during the warmer months to get outside and volunteer. Check out the organizations on my resource page to find something for you; these type of events/activities are great for groups, as you can all work together digging and planting and just having a good time.

 

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Enrichment Murals for P.S. 171

17 Apr

What: painting/touching up canvas and wall murals

Where: PS 171, through New York Cares

When: Saturday, 10am-3pm

This project happens monthly, and was pretty straightforward. The hardest part was finding the school itself, so stick to the directions you’re given and you’ll be fine. About 10-15 volunteers gather in the cafeteria and are then split into two groups: one group ventured off into the hallways to touchup previously painted murals, getting rid of graffiti and scratches. I was in the other group, made up of those who felt they had slightly- higher-than-average painting abilities. We were each given a large canvas that had a pencil sketch of a popular book cover- done via projector by a girl who I assume is a regular volunteer- to start/finish painting. Some people returned to finish their work from the month prior, and the team leader ensured that those people could get their murals back. The rest of us newbie’s had to finish someone else’s work -which is harder than doing it from scratch- or start our own mural (it’s likely you won’t finish one in a day).

This is a good project for artists (former and current) that want to lend their skills to a school in need of some pizazz, or really, anyone who doesn’t mind spending the day painting in a relaxed environment. This is NOT the place to go paint that masterpiece you’re been putting off since high school art class, or if you’re a perfectionist. You’ll be using worn out brushes and a rotating supply of old latex-based paint from a can. I’m not saying you won’t be able to paint something amazing, because some of the canvas murals were pretty sweet. I’m just saying it won’t be easy. Other things to know:

  • You can talk to other volunteers but for the most part, everyone keeps their head down and paints. So feel free to bring your iPod and headphones.
  • Even if you think your work is horrible, the elementary-age children you’re painting for will be impressed and think it’s awesome. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
  • This activity is an obvious lure for artists; if that’s you, you’ll get to meet like-minded people who not only enjoy painting, but volunteering as well.
  • Bonus: Not relaxing enough? This school is within walking distance of the Central Park Conservatory Garden. In my opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the city that often goes unnoticed. It’s accessible, it’s free, and it’s a great way to end a day of painting and art.

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