Opportunity Details
Maggie Walker Day of Service 2023 - Abner Clay Park Tree Check
Please join the City of Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities and the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site for a morning of community service, commemorating the birthday of Maggie Lena Walker.
Born July 15, 1864, Maggie Walker is one of Richmond's most beloved community advocates and civic leaders. Owner and operator of The St. Luke Emporium department store, and publisher of the St. Luke Herald newspaper, Mrs. Walker was also famously the first Black woman in the United States to found a bank. St. Luke Penny Savings Bank was an early 20th Century symbol of the strength of the Jackson Ward community - a neighborhood with Black businesses, churches, and schools that flourished in spite of the Jim Crow laws of the era. Devoted to a life of service, Maggie Walker's belief that through the power of mutual support and solidarity, a community could greatly advance civil rights, economic empowerment, and educational opportunities for themselves and their neighbors.
In that same spirit of service to the community, please join us on Saturday, July 15th to recognize and honor Walker's legacy of building community in Richmond's Jackson Ward neighborhood. Various service projects will be held around the area, from 9 AM until 11 AM, culminating in a hydration and snack break back at the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site by 11:30am.
PLEASE BRING: Sturdy closed toe shoes for walking and a refillable water bottle. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended!
Volunteer Position Description and Purpose:
Volunteers for this opportunity will be helping to check on and re-mulch the young trees recently planted in Abner Clay Park. Mulching trees helps the soil to retain moisture and prevents extreem temperature swings affecting roots during the summer heat. We will also be updating the City's Tree Inventory with data about the trees located within the park, to help us track and account for some of our most valuable community assests.
Qualifications, Skills, & Requirements:
Tools and gloves will be provided, but feel free to bring along your own garden gloves if preferred. Be sure to wear closed toed shoes/boots and clothing that you don't mind getting dirty or snagged. No prior experience or special skills necessary, though some lifting (max. 60lbs), bending, overhead reaching, grasping, pushing/pulling and stooping may be required. All activities will be located outdoors on park grounds. Expect some uneaven and rough terrain (ex: turf lawn, small sidewalk step-downs), however most areas are accessible for mobility users. Please be aware of the weather forecast, and dress accordingly (this event is rain or shine, however advance communication will be sent if we need to cancel).
Time Commitment:
Expect for this volunteer opportunity to be 2.5-hours long, however it may be shortened depending on completion of tasks. Sign-ups close 48hrs before the opportunity! This allows for proper planning and communication.
Other Information:
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Upon signup, you will recieve TWO emails; a confirmation from HandsOn, and an email from the Opportunity Coordinator at "Qui.Nguyen@rva.gov". Specific meeting location and additional instructions will be sent in the SECOND email - be sure to check your SPAM folder if you have not recived it. All volunteers MUST REPLY to that email to confirm participation, to allow for proper planning for tools and equipment.
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Volunteer hours will be verified within 72hrs after the end of the event, though the HandsOn Greater Richmond website. Please bring along your paperwork, if a seperate form needs to be signed.
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All volunteers will initally meet at the Maggie Walker Historic Site, and then be split off into teams which will then walk together to their specific locations. PLEASE be sure to meet at the Historic Site courtyard to check in and recieve further instructions!
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If arriving by bicycle, there are only utility poles near by so bring a cable lock.
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If arriving by GRTC Bus, Route 1 , Route 2A , Route 2B & Route 2C have nearby stops. Please visit http://ridegrtc.com/planning-your-trip/trip-planner for more details.
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If arriving by vehicle, nearby street parking is available. Car pooling is encouraged!
Have a group or want to learn more details about this event? Feel free to reach out to Qui.Nguyen@rva.gov if you have any questions!
Age Minimum (with Adult): 8+, Minimum Age:16+, Court Ordered Volunteer - Allowed
Log in or Register
In order to register for this opportunity you must log in to an existing account or register to create a new account.
Sign up with a team
This link allows you to participate in this opportunity with a team. A team can be a family team, corporate team, or any kind of organized group. When you click on the link you will have the option to:
- Choose an existing team you're already a member or captain of, or
- Create a new team to sign up.
Signup Questions
Please respond to the following questions in order to signup for this opportunity: