Hands on DC050

Hands on DC is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that conducts an annual citywide work-a-thon to improve the physical condition of Washington, DC public schools, raises funds to support local college scholarship programs, and encourages greater community involvement in the public schools. Hands on DC's main event is a one-day work-a-thon held every spring. During the work-a-thon, more than 2,000 volunteers spend the day at one of about 30 to 40 DC public schools. Their work typically involves projects such as painting, cleaning, or landscaping. Other projects require greater skills and resources, such as repairing bathrooms, laying carpet, building tree boxes or wiring classrooms for Internet access. Families and groups of high school students, scouts, and youth group members are welcome to volunteer. Each team with youth volunteers must have at least one adult to every three minors, and all volunteers under 18 must have their liability waiver signed by a parent or guardian in order to participate in the event. Students can also earn community service hours for volunteering.