COLLEGE PARK, MD – Registration is now open for a supersized 10th annual Good Neighbor Day, a community-wide day of service in Greater College Park to be held on Saturday, Nov. 13.
Good Neighbor Day, a partnership between the University of Maryland, the City of College Park and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, will offer a combination of physically distanced, in-person beautification service projects and virtual workshops.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has shown that a desire to serve is one of the things that makes College Park residents so great and helps get us through challenging times,” shares City of College Park Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn. “Good Neighbor Day has fostered and developed this tradition, bringing together members of the Greater College Park community for a day of service and collaboration, and one that I am certain will continue for many years to come.”
The Good Neighbor Day Food Drive also returns to fight food insecurity to benefit the UMD Campus Pantry or College Park Community Food Bank. For the first time, it will feature a Fill-a-Bus Food Drive on Friday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. outside the Stamp Student Union. In addition, IKEA in College Park will serve as a drive-up food donation drop-off location on Saturday, Nov. 13 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
“Good Neighbor Day has evolved through the past ten years. Good Neighbor Day’s impact has fostered connections throughout ten years of celebrating who we are, what we do and sharing the knowledge and love for our community,” states Gloria Aparicio-Blackwell, Director of UMD’s Office of Community Engagement.
Good Neighbor Day (GND) began hybrid programming last year in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. GND returns the second Saturday in November with 14 in-person projects and 6 virtual workshops.
Volunteers participating in in-person projects will beautify shared spaces through invasive species removal, community clean-ups and collaborations with Prince George’s County Schools. Masks, gloves, and hand sanitizer will be provided to volunteers by the Good Neighbor Day Planning Committee.
Virtual workshops will be broadcast via Zoom and will cover topics including financial literacy, African-American history, relationship workshops, leading an intentional life and more.
“Good Neighbor Day is a wonderful community tradition, collaboration and partnership to clean and beautify the spaces that we share,” said Elizabeth M. Hewlett, Chairman of M-NCPPC and the Prince George’s County Planning Board. “Community collaborations like Good Neighbor Day bring the community together and build a great foundation for future generations.”
Beginning in 2011 as a Christmas in April event, Good Neighbor Day has grown to be a tradition in Greater College Park. Volunteers include elected officials, long-time residents, students, alumni, staff, and faculty. This collaborative event is possible due to business, government, and nonprofit partnerships.
For more information and to register for Good Neighbor Day, visit goodneighborday.umd.edu.