Some of the volunteers during this year’s Spring for Alexandria.
Ten years. Ten days of service. An estimated $530,000 in economic impact. That’s Spring for Alexandria – a Volunteer Alexandria event in collaboration with the City of Alexandria. Since the first Community Service Day in 2008, thousands of youth and adult volunteers have worked together to improve the city. This year, volunteers completed 1,800 hours of work on 20-plus projects in the community including human service organizations, schools, congregations, city agencies, and parks.
“It’s a great annual tradition and it’s all about working together and making a difference together,” said Mayor Allison Silberberg at the celebration at City Hall after the Community Service Day on May 12.
Volunteer Alexandria extended its appreciation to all of its volunteers, partner organizations, and sponsors who made the day possible.
“We wouldn’t be able to accomplish what we have without the wonderful volunteers, donors, and sponsors,” said Marion Brunken, executive director of Volunteer Alexandria. “Sponsors and donors made it possible for us to purchase wood, paint, and other materials to build 20 vegetable beds and complete our other projects which will help the community for many more years to come.”
Families visiting the Lazarus West End Food Pantry will receive vegetables grown in the new vegetable beds built by volunteers at the Church of the Resurrection. Children and their families will be able to use the newly painted foster care visitation room at the Department of Community and Human Resources all year round.
"We’re grateful to the volunteers and Volunteer Alexandria for joining us on Spring for Alexandria Day and the work they put into beautifying the home the City leases to us for formerly homeless veterans. We’re happy to be a part of a community that recognizes the value of serving our neighbors, regardless of their living situation,” said Pam Michell, executive director of New Hope Housing.
Ivy Hill Cemetery also saw the impact from the day. “The cemetery reaps a huge benefit by having these volunteers come to help us. We have 22 acres of age old plantings which our grounds crew does not have time to tackle. In places, the cemetery has become quite overgrown. By working on one section a year, our volunteers are making a remarkable difference in the appearance of our grounds and making it easier to stay ahead of the situation. They are a true gift and a pleasure to work with,” said Lucy Burke Goddin of the Ivy Hill Cemetery Historical Preservation Society.
Alexandria needs volunteers all year long. For more information or to find a way to help, visit www.volunteeralexandria.org.