Take a stand against gun violence by helping clean up and celebrate our GOODZone community in Southwest DC for the Southwest Garden Fest!
Volunteer Opportunities
-
Kickball Tournament
Monday, April 15th | 12 - 4 pm |
King Greenleaf Baseball Field
201 N Street SW Washington, DC 20024
Join us during spring break for a day of kickball at our Earth Week Kick Off! It is sure to be a day of fun, family, and friendly competition. This community-wide, all ages event is ideal for groups and solo players looking to team-build, even if you've never played kickball before! Set in scenic SW across from Nationals Park, it's a fantastic opportunity for companies to bond and for young people to make new friends, all while enjoying a fun and accessible game. Teams will compete in a series of kickball games, aiming to crown the ultimate kickball champions. To be a part of the fun, each team will consist of 8 roster spots and has an entry fee to play will be $150 per team.
Activities will include:
- Round-robin kickball tournament
- Pizza Party
- Skills workshop for new players
- Trophies for top teams and players
Whether you're looking to compete, learn the game, or just enjoy a day out with the community, there's something for everyone. Gather your friends, form a team, and get ready to play ball!
-
Community & River Clean Up
Tuesday, April 16th | 10:00am-1:30pm |
Diamond Teague Park
100 Potomac Ave SE Washington, DC 20003
Join us at Harmony Park for a day of giving back and beautifying our riverfront. This volunteer event is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to engage in team-building and for teens to contribute to their community service hours during DCPS spring break. No previous experience in community cleanups is necessary—just a willingness to make a difference and maybe get a little wet!
Dive into a day of environmental stewardship at King Greenleaf and the adjoining riverfronts. This volunteer event is an excellent opportunity for local businesses to engage in team-building and for teens to contribute to their community service hours during DCPS spring break. No previous experience in community cleanups is necessary—just a willingness to make a difference and maybe get a little wet!
Activities will feature:
- Trash and debris removal from community grounds and river edges
- Invasive species management along the riverside
- Planting native flowers and trees to enhance local biodiversity
- Educational workshops on water conservation and wildlife protection
We welcome companies to bring their staff and for young people to join in, demonstrating the power of teamwork and community spirit. It's a chance to connect with others, enjoy the outdoors, and take part in creating a cleaner, greener space for everyone.
We encourage interested volunteers to come together with us for this impactful day outside. It's a unique chance to foster team spirit among colleagues, peers, and classmates. Come enjoy the great outdoors and our world class waterfronts. Play a crucial role in preserving our natural surroundings for future generations.
-
Capture the Flag: Gel Blaster®️ Battle
Wednesday, April 17th | 12 - 2 pm |
King Greenleaf Recreation Center
201 N Street SW Washington, DC 20024
Get ready for an action-packed afternoon filled with strategy and nonstop fun at King Greenleaf for our Gel Blaster Battle! Perfect for kids aged 6-12, this event is not just about the competition; it's a celebration of teamwork, precision, and the joy of play. Equipped with provided Gel Blasters, teams will navigate a series of high-energy games, from Capture the Flag to the exhilarating Last Player Standing.
Highlights Include:
- Engaging Gel Blaster Battles in a safe, structured environment
- A variety of game modes for endless fun
- Pizza party to refuel and celebrate the day's achievements
- Awards ceremony to recognize outstanding teamwork and individual skill
Whether you’re coming with friends or ready to make new ones, the Gel Blaster Battle is the perfect way to spend your afternoon during DCPS spring break. Remember to wear comfortable clothes and bring your enthusiasm—we’ll handle the rest!
Please note pellets are specially designed, eco-friendly gel ammo, ensuring a safe and mess-free experience.
-
Nourish & Empower: With DC Central Kitchen
Thursday, April 18 | 9am - 12pm
DC Central Kitchen - 2121 1st St. SW Washington DC, 20024
Step into the heart of community change with a day of volunteering at DC Central Kitchen. Join us for an impactful session of meal preparation, where your efforts will directly contribute to the fight against hunger in our community. This is a unique opportunity to work side-by-side with DC Central Kitchen's dedicated staff and the inspiring students of their Culinary Job Training program.
During your volunteer shift, you'll dive into the world of food prep, mastering the art of chopping vegetables and fruits to support the production of nutritious meals for those in need. The tasks you undertake will be aligned with the kitchen's immediate needs, ensuring your hard work makes a direct impact on this week’s meal services.
What to Expect:
- Hands-on experience in a dynamic kitchen environment
- The chance to learn from experienced kitchen staff and motivated Culinary Job Training students
- A fulfilling opportunity to contribute to the SW community by preparing meals for GOODProjects after school program
- Insights into the operations of one of D.C.'s most impactful nonprofits
This volunteer day is more than just meal prep; it's a chance to empower and be empowered, to learn new skills, and to understand the profound impact of community-based efforts in addressing food insecurity.
Your time and energy can make a real difference. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice eager to learn, your contribution will help nourish bodies and spirits alike. Join us in our mission to transform lives through the power of food.
-
Earth Week Garden Party
Friday, April 19 | 12 - 4pm
King Greenleaf Recreation Center
201 N Street SW Washington, D.C. 20024
Join our EnviroGo Division for the Earth Week Garden Party, a vibrant day of community action, music, and fun. This all-ages, community-driven garden restoration event is designed to breathe new life into the green spaces around Buzzard Point. This day is brought to you in collaboration with GOODProjects and Dreaming Out Loud, uniting hands and hearts to prepare our gardens for the spring season.
This is not just planting trees and flowers; it's a celebration of community, sustainability, and growth. As we work together to till, plant, and beautify, we'll be accompanied by lively music to keep our spirits high and our bodies moving. It's a day to connect with the earth, your neighbors, and local organizations dedicated to making a difference.
Event Activities:
- Community garden maintenance: weeding, mulching, and preparing beds for planting
- Tree planting to enhance our community's green spaces
- A lively atmosphere filled with music to energize and entertain
- Opportunities to learn more about gardening, sustainability, and local environmental efforts
We're calling for partners to support our mission by donating plants, gardening supplies, and other resources to help our gardens thrive. Let's come together to kick off the spring with positivity, purpose, and planting. Whether you have a green thumb or just a willing spirit, your contribution will help transform these vital community spaces into thriving havens of nature and nurture.
Join us in making a difference—one plant, one tree, one garden at a time. Let's grow together!
-
Southwest Garden FestList Item 2
Saturday, April 20th | 11 - 5 pm
In Person | King Greenleaf
201 N Street SW Washington, DC 20024
In celebration of the reopening of the Peace Gardens for the season, Southwest Garden Fest is a community event with food, music, guided meditations, painting of the garden beds, little free libraries, community input for additional public art installations, and much more. Free and open to the public, SW Garden Fest is DC’s opportunity to see safe community spaces thrive.
Volunteers needed
Volunteer to make an impact April 15th - 20nd
and make a difference in the
GOODZone
The Southwest Garden Fest transforms centrally located community spaces into flower and herb gardens with art and enhanced public amenities. These gardens were created with the intention of preventing gun violence in our community, thanks to the Building Blocks DC (BBDC) grant program, an innovative community-based approach to curbing violence throughout the District of Columbia. By directing resources and services to the people who are most at risk, we are doing our part to prevent more of these occurrences from happening.
Can't make a volunteer shift?
You can still make a difference through a tax-deductible gift.