Press Releases
Hands on DC Announces 2006 Website
A vision of better schools and brighter futures for DC students moves into its 12th year with a bold and user friendly new web page.Washington, DC, March 30th, 2006. In celebration of Hands on DC (HoDC), an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that conducts an annual citywide work-a-thon to improve and refurbish Washington, DC public schools, a new user friendly website has gone live. In preparation for this year's work-a-thon on April 29, 2006, at more than 30 public schools across the District of Columbia, the new site is already receiving thousands of unique hits a week as volunteers and site coordinators prepare for a day of service.
The new website is courtesy of volunteer hours from Eili Klein, Hands on DC IT Chair, and the volunteer efforts of Rick Whittington, a Richmond, Virginia-based freelance web designer and marketing consultant.
The website is Rick's first involvement with Hands on DC. "I strongly believe in the volunteer efforts of those willing to make schools a better place for children to learn," said Whittington, who has applied his design and marketing skills to a number of nonprofit print and web projects. "Some choose to volunteer time to Hands on DC, while others choose to donate materials. I chose to do my part by donating my web design and marketing knowledge."
Eili has been involved with HoDC since the fall of 2005. "My girlfriend is a teacher in the DC public schools, so I have intimate daily knowledge of the troubles facing the schools, and the 'condition' of the school is a major one," said Klein, a former IT consultant. Klein's responsibilities began with site maintenance, but Klein jumped in with both feet and undertook a major revision to the site. "I felt it was important to present a professional looking site to help fundraising, encourage participation and most importantly get people excited about doing something good for their community, and Rick did an amazing job on the design, I couldn't have done it without him."
Through the dedication of volunteers like Elliot and Rick, community members, principals and sponsors alike, Hands on DC has painted, landscaped, and improved the conditions of the District's more than 150 schools. During this time, the community-based nonprofit organization, which is run entirely by volunteers, has raised more than $420,000 for college scholarships. This newly envisioned website will help to bring better and brighter futures for the students of District of Columbia by continuing to draw volunteers from the area, educate residents about what the Washington Post deems "pathetically decrepit buildings," and encourage meaningful donations.
Hands on DC will be and has been working for community-based and community-led public school improvement. Hands on DC is not about rebuilding entire schools-it is about building awareness, creating community, and turning around public schools one brush stroke at a time. Please visit our new site today!
HoDC is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that conducts an annual citywide work-a-thon to improve Washington, DC public schools, raise funds to support local college scholarship programs, and encourage greater community involvement in public schools.
