Found out about this a little bit late, but there is a great event on Saturday in Brooklyn, organized by Kids For A Better Future, a social action organization started and run by kids. Every year, they identify a group of kids who need help and spend the year advocating and raising money for them. This year, they are supporting children in Afghanistan through the organization Women for Afghan Women, and their annual walkathon to raise money is Saturday, March 9th at 12:30, meeting at Prospect Park at the Park Drive Loop at 9th street. You can download sponsorship forms and posters from their website. I think we'll be there, and will try to raise a bit of money in advance. It's a great cause and a great organization. In the fall, we participated in Girls Read for Girls, a youth-organized readathon in honor of Malala Yousafzai, which raised money for girls education in Pakistan, and heard from some of the staff at WAW about the challenges facing women and girls in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the organization's work there.
Also on the horizon: on March 21st, New York Voices Against Gun Violence, a broad coalition that includes Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence, Doctors for America and many other groups are organizing a major rally in support of state and federal legislation to reduce gun violence, and in particular to support the New York SAFE Act, New York's landmark legislation limiting the sale of assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and requiring background checks for all gun sales. The rally will take place at 4:30 p.m., at the Harlem State Office Building, 163 West 125th street. Follow/like this page on Facebook to find out more. Having gotten a lot of out of attending the One Million Moms march over the Brooklyn Bridge on MLK Day this year, I'm hoping my daughter and I can find a way to attend this - it's conveniently after school but not after work.
Other opportunities coming up:
The Gowanus Canal Conservancy has their first volunteer project of the year, on March 23, from 11 am to 3pm. Volunteers will help open up a tree nursery, host a community tree giveaway and create new native seed plots and assemble several bee hives. The event is family friendly, officially for kids over 10, but it's worth inquiring if you can bring younger kids, because it sounds like fun! The event is at the Salt Lot, 2 Second Ave. You can register through New York Cares, but may also be able to contact the organization directly.
Also on March 23rd, from 10 am to 1 pm is the "March for the Earth" at the Queens Botanical Gardens. The event celebrates the vernal equinox and helps the QBG get ready for the coming spring. There will be volunteering in the garden and then a festive march to the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park. You do have to register in advance, info here. By the way, as spring starts to get underway (really, it's coming, I promise), there are more and more planting and parks cleanup opportunities throughout the city. A great way for kids to volunteer and also get out into the fresh air.
Other opportunities coming up? Let me know. I'll spread the word.
