Independent Sector is no stranger to the ‘Value of Volunteer Time’, in fact, we wrote the book—well the annual report—on it.
Additionally, we take it a step further and once per year, we power-off our desktop computers, close our downtown Washington, D.C. office doors, and commit to a hands-on day of service to the community.
On Wednesday, June 13, the Independent Staff spent the day volunteering at two local nonprofits.
Most of our team spent the day volunteering at Freedom Plaza, which was formerly known as Western Plaza, but was renamed Freedom Plaza in 1988, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is said to have developed his famous “I Have a Dream” speech within close proximity of the space.
At Freedom Plaza, the IS staff participated in a park clean-up shift that consisted of cleaning out the storm drains to keep the plaza from being damaged from sitting pools of water, and polishing the seals and inscriptions throughout the plaza. Preservation and beautification of such a historic site in the heart of D.C. was a worthwhile experience.
Nine members of our staff, including our CEO and president, Dan Cardinali, volunteered at the Capital Area Food Bank, the largest organization in the Washington metro area working to solve hunger and its companion problems — chronic undernutrition, heart disease, and obesity — by providing access to nutritious foods to members of the community. The organization currently provides meals to 12 percent of the Washington metro area population.
At the Capital Area Food Bank, the IS team joined other nonprofit groups for a morning shift that included sorting food and drink donations, then packing nonperishable food products in boxes in preparation for distribution to the organization’s network of over 400 food assistance partners, which includes shelters, faith-based organizations, and social services programs that provide food and nutrition education to residents.
At Independent Sector, we are very proud of the work we do daily to advance the common good. Volunteer service is a very rewarding way to give back. We salute those that give their time and donations to charities and causes all over the country.
