Press Releases
Kudos to 2003 HoDC Volunteers
Kids and Teachers Appreciate "Bright, Clean" Classrooms
Each year, 2,500 Hands on DC (HoDC) volunteers leave the annual work-a-thon feeling great about the work they completed and more often than not, covered in paint, but few are fortunate enough to see the impact of their work on the school's teachers and students. However, several students and teachers wrote to HoDC after the 2003 work-a-thon to express their gratitude for the HoDC volunteers.
Wilma Durham, principal at Walker-Jones Elementary School, wrote to HoDC in April 2003 to thank volunteers for the "beautification" of her school. Durham thanked the volunteers for their hard work and dedication and noted that the completed projects created a "wonderful and beautiful environment for the school."
"When I arrived at school on Saturday and saw the beautiful landscaping in front of the school, and I saw the beauty of the cafeteria with the fresh paint, my heart was touched," Durham said. In addition, Durham thanked the Walker-Jones volunteers for their work on a playground for the pre-school students. "These young children will be able to plant flowers and vegetables, listen to stories and sit in the sun on sunny days," Durham continued.
Several sixth grade students at John F. Cook also sent hand written letters to HoDC to thank their school's volunteers. Here's what they had to say.
"You and your friends are really nice to help the school out. If you ever come around, I would like to show you around. I really like the school."
"When I came into the classroom this morning, the classroom looked so bright. I thought that we had new lights, not new paint."
"Thank you so much for the work you did. I love it. Now our room looks so bright. The doors look very good. Please come back soon."
"Thanks for painting our class. It looks very pretty. The color brightens up our room! It's nice to come out and paint our school. Thanks to the volunteers who did a very good job. It was very kind to help paint our school. Thanks for all your help. Please come back soon."
HoDC event co-directors Christina Russell and Tracy Costigan said they appreciated the letters from Durham and the John F. Cook students and said that all 2003 volunteers should be commended for a job well done. "We've heard from many schools, students, and teachers who echo the kind words of Walker-Jones Elementary and John F. Cook," Ruseell said. "These comments illustrate one of the great aspects of Hands on DC: one day of work makes a lasting difference," Costigan said. This year's work-a-thon is scheduled for May 1, 2004 and both co-directors said they welcome both new and veteran volunteers.
If you are a HoDC volunteer and have a thank you note or mesasge you'd like shared, please contact the Publicity Committee at news@handsondc.org.
-posted Nov. 14, 2003
