Spring into Service
It’s March and signs of Spring are all around us! As the cold weather fades, there are so many great opportunities to venture out and engage with great organizations in Silver Spring. Check out these terrific events happening in March, April and May, and visit https://silverspringcares.org/charity-type/volunteer/ to find opportunities all year long!
Parties with a purpose…
Shepherd’s Table is hosting This is Us: 35 Years on Saturday, April 21st. The event will celebrate 35th year of service, and honor individuals that have made a difference. Attendees will enjoy live music, great brunch fare from the area’s best restaurants, live and silent auctions, activities, and more! They are also currently seeking items for the silent auction. Learn more at: https://www.facebook.com/events/175745083046142/.
Latin American Youth Center will host a Gala and auction to celebrate its 50 years of serving youth on Thursday, May 10. Honorary co-chairs for the event include The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney General of the United States, and The Honorable Carlos M. Gutierrez, Sr. and Mrs. Edilia Gutierrez. Learn more and purchase tickets at http://www.layc-dc.org/gala2018/.
Comfort Cases will host its 4th annual Gala on Saturday, May 12th. The event will include dinner, entertainment, an awards ceremony, and silent and live auctions. Visit https://one.bidpal.net/comfortcasesgala2018/welcome for more information.
Shop to support a great cause…
Crossroads Community Food Network will kick off the 12th season of Crossroads Farmers Market—and its Multi-Farm CSA program—on Wednesday, April 18th! For more information about the market, the CSA, or other Crossroads programs, visit: www.crossroadscommunityfoodnetwork.org.
Friends of the Library Silver Spring will hold its Spring Book Sale on Saturday, March 24 as well as a Vinyl Record Day on April 21 with sales providing additional funding for programs, equipment and materials for the Silver Spring Library. (In addition to a record sale, Vinyl Record day will include lectures and activities for fans of all ages.)
Leveling The Playing Field is hosting an online auction fundraiser March 19-28, view items and bid at https://www.biddingforgood.com/LPF.
Youth events that could use some help…
Community Bridges is holding its 3rd Annual Career and Innovation Summit on Saturday, April 7th from 9am-3:30 pm at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring. The event is free for girls in grades 6-12. Learn more about the event, including opportunities to volunteer and/or speak, at https://communitybridges-md.org/news-events/cbgirlslead/.
Difference Makers will host a STEAM Night at Takoma Park Middle School on April 6. The event will include a silent auction held jointly by Difference Makers and Small Things Matter. The two groups will also collaborate on an event for Global Youth Service Day 2018 on April 21 from 10-4pm, also at Takoma Park Middle School. Among other activities, participants will be able to paint rocks with positive messages and hide them around Takoma Park and beyond.
Learn and lend a hand…
Community CHEER will host it’s “Ask the Doctor” session on April 13th (and the 2nd Friday of every month) at 9:30 am. CHEER is also seeking volunteers to help with food distribution, visit http://www.communitycheer.org/food-distribution-volunteer-2018 to learn more.
Looking for a fun, low key way to help others from home? Consider joining Gardens For Good, a local collective of families who get together each growing season to grow food for the kitchen at Shepherd’s Table! This group offers monthly meetups to share tips, tricks, kid activities and more. This group is open to everyone, whether you have an established garden or have a self-proclaimed black thumb but a big heart and want to learn more. They even host a kid run farm stand once a summer at the Silver Spring Farmers’ Market.
Lisa Pilnik is a Silver Spring resident, mom and nonprofit consultant. Lisa and her family love being involved in the Silver Spring nonprofit scene and spending time helping organizations thrive and grow through service.