One More Look at December 25th

We just had to share some more of the amazing photos taken by Lloyd Wolf of our 2011 December 25th Volunteer Project. Looking through the photos really brings home just how important and moving this experience is for those who volunteer and for those who benefit from their service. This is Lloyd’s 20th year photographing the project and we’re displaying a small number of the stand-outs from that enormous collection in our Community Hall and Distrikt Bistro for the next few weeks. You can read all about it in the current issue of the Washington Jewish Week.

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JAMming in Franklin Park

By Danny Obeler
Behrend Builders and Community Service Coordinator

After wrapping up my December 25 Day of Service (D25) project at The Creative Center for Non-Violence, grabbing a quick bite at the D25 epicenter, and delivering gifts and foods to local families in need, I suddenly found my self at Franklin Park with JAM DC, a group that brings together Muslim and Jewish young professionals through social, educational, cultural, and service activities.

The JAM DC crew went to Franklin Park and spread holiday cheer by handing out gift bags with toiletries and socks, holiday cards created by younger D25 volunteers, and sandwiches that the group had prepared at the DCJCC.

The response at the park was joyous, overwhelming, and exhilarating all at once.  Hugs were exchanged, a dance party broke out, and what “community” truly means was exemplified by a Muslim and Jewish group celebrating Christmas and the holiday season together with those less fortunate.

 

(Check out more great photos from Lloyd Wolf, on more D25 projects.)

Last Christmas, You Gave Us Your Hearts

A slightly belated thank you to the nearly 1,000 people who came out to volunteer with us on December 25th. The work you did made a lasting difference in the quality of someone’s life. There is unfortunately, a seemingly endless need for work like this, so please continue to volunteer with us year-round, or at our next major day of service on MLK Day.

In the meantime, head over to professional photographer Lloyd Wolf’s blog for some amazing photographs of the day (including the one above). Also, check-out the video below which was made by Todd Wiggins, which catches-up with the work that went on at the Ferebee-Hope School.

Pictures from D25 and MLK Day

Visit the Morris Cafritz Center for Community Service’s brand-spanking-new Flickr page which has pictures from their last two major days of service: December 25th and Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.