MEDIA
ALERT
September 15, 2015
Contact: Arielle Reynoso, Partner Engagement Specialist
The LEAPing Frogs Community Garden
The Value of Public Lands, Partnerships and Community
Service
On Saturday, September 19th Students, family members,
teachers and volunteers “LEAP” (Learning. Environmental Engagement. Awareness. Productivity.) into a day of active volunteerism and ownership in beautifying school
grounds prior to and in honor of National Public Lands Day.
In Reach and
Carrollton Elementary School have planned a day of activities to raise environmental awareness, encourage an active lifestyle and build community in the New Carrollton city of Prince
George’s County, MD. A
collaborative event, funded by a grant from the Maryland's Governor’s Office on Service
and Volunteerism, will take place on September 19th from 9am to 11am.
The
day will consist of a general clean-up of the garden area, removal of invasive
plants, planting of tulips and preparing the garden for the winter. Additionally,
volunteers will take part in pre-planting stretching and light exercising inspired by First Lady
Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move Outside” children’s health initiative as it aligns
directly with the vision and goal in our growing partnership with Prince
George’s County schools and in this event. In a report provided by Alliance of
a Healthier Generation, Maryland is the 21st most obese state in the
U.S. for children at a shocking 32% while the physical inactivity rate is at a
solid 25%. Our event will help decrease screen and couch time and get the
children of the Carrollton Elementary community on their feet and outdoors to take part in a
meaningful day which will bring the community together and create something
beautiful to bloom.
Although
National Public Lands Day is formally taking place on September 26th,
it is the nation’s largest volunteer event acknowledging public lands.
According to the National Environment Education Foundation in 2014, about
175,000 volunteers took part in this event at various sites across the nation! National Public Lands Day is a fantastic opportunity
to get off the couch and out into the beautiful outdoors. Volunteers can
participate as a family, with a school, community or other national
organizations and non-profits. All volunteers will undoubtedly get the
satisfaction that comes from preserving and protecting public lands, along with
physical exercise and family and community togetherness in a day full of,
planting, enhancing and beautifying.
For more information about National Public Lands Day and if
you want to learn more about how to get involved at site near you visit their website
at publiclandsday.org. To learn more about In Reach visit our website.
In Reach is a nonprofit organization with the mission of
preparing students for college, work and life. It organizes on-going events
with its students, their families, partner schools, and other community members and entities to raise
awareness, educate and build relationships to reduce the issues that challenge
its mission specifically those associated with poverty.
