Thank you so much for participating in Servathon on Saturday, May 3rd! Together we made a huge impact on the improvement of the DC Public Schools. More than 3,200 people invested over 12,000 hours in a variety of service activities - painting classrooms, revitalizing playgrounds, landscaping, providing trainings on job skills and technology for teachers and students, and collecting books to help build schools libraries. Beyond the numbers, though, make no mistake about the impact you had on Saturday.

This might seem like something small to you, just a few hours on a Saturday morning. But think about the fact that there is a direct correlation between the state of a school’s facilities and the success of the students attending the school.

Think about how painting a four-square or hopscotch game on the black top where before there was only pavement provides children with fun and entertainment. How painting lockers in bright rainbow colors where before there was only peeling, cracked old paint helps students feel pride in their school. How helping high school juniors write better resumes will give them tools necessary to get a good job.

Although you may not directly see the effects that these changes have on the students at these schools, I can only imaging how they felt when they arrived at school this morning, and how grateful they are for your service. Knowing that 3,200 people came out on a beautiful Saturday morning to improve their lives and contribute to their education will give them a sense of support and community that can give them the impetus to succeed against the many obstacles they face.

When you think about the collective difference we made, not just in the appearance of facilities but also in the lives of so many children, the impact is awe-inspiring.

Billy Fettweis
Volunteer Services Coordinator
Greater DC Cares