Obama’s called Americans to volunteer and serve in their communities — and a new campaign called Green The Block‘s here to help you do just that — with an environmental justice twist. The first event happens a month from today on National Service Day, Sept. 11, 2009!
Launched by Green For All and the Hip Hop Caucus, Green The Block’s intended to “educate and mobilize communities of color to ensure a voice and stake in the clean-energy economy.” And on Sept. 11, all are invited to take part in this effort. All you need to do is take part in one of the Green For All events near you; find out what’s happening by plugging in your zip on this Find an Event page.
So far, I only see one event planned in the L.A.-area — but anyone can organize and host her own event! I’m hoping a number of eco-nonprofits will work this month to put together Green The Block events around L.A. for the big day.
Plus, Green The Block even has an online tookit (PDF) with a longish list of event ideas, an 11-step plan for organizing your event, and links to online resources for further help.
Photo via greentheblock.net
Just wanted to stop by and say thanks again for the Body Shop coconut giveaway! Love the prizes!
Comment by Suebob — August 11, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Especially since Obama encourages community service, I’ve been thinking about how awesome it would be if there was some sort of program to allow people that don’t take off time to have kids to take off time from work to do community service instead (and not use all of their vacation time!) Maybe businesses could be compensated by some sort of tax break or something by supporting this program and people would have to work on a project that deals with their community. It kinda sucks that people that have kids can keep on taking off time every time they have a kid (both mom and dad) here in California, but those that don’t have kids or put off having kids for a while don’t ever have a chance to take off time to give back to the community in a way besides their job and an odd weekend project here or there. I’d love to do more volunteer projects, but I simply don’t have the time.
Comment by M — August 11, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
M – That is a fantastic idea. Perhaps a bit far out considering that we live in a country that doesn’t even require companies to give employees time off to vote — and that requires us to vote on a Tuesday, of all days — but a great idea nonetheless. The question is, how would self employed people like me take advantage of it? :)
Comment by Siel — August 13, 2009 @ 12:37 am