Community Corner
Point of Woods '1 By Youth' Event Attracts Over 600 Volunteers
Volunteers travel from Pennsylvania, Maryland and all over Northern Virginia for Manassas community project.
A mother owl perched in an oak tree at Stonewall Park could be seen teaching her two babies how to fly early Saturday morning—an early indicator that May 14th was going to be a special day for the surrounding Point of Woods Manassas community.
The little owl family watched as over 600 volunteers shuffled into the park to start off a day of community projects.
Vans and buses full of 44 separate church youth groups from all over Northern Virginia, Maryland, and as far away as Pennsylvania, traveled to participate in the '1 BY Youth' for a neighborhood cleanup event.
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Started last year by a Colorado organization and ministry called Group Cares, 1 By Youth is a Christian, teen-based program that unites teens across the country to revitalize neighborhoods in need.
Director of 1 By Youth, John Thompson describes the program: "1 By Youth is one day, one community, one impact; it's youth uniting, youth serving—church youth groups from all over the country."
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The program has traveled to six other cities: St.Louis, Denver, St.Paul, Nashville, Chicago, Indianapolis, and had now reached their seventh and final destination of their Spring schedule, Point of Woods in Manassas.
Twenty-two different projects were on tap for Point of Woods neighborhoods 1, 2 and 3 that included upgrades to playgrounds, trash removal from woods and a creek, mulching old pathways, and the main event: a community garden with a tribute gazebo to honor the only Manassas City police officer to die in the line of duty, Sgt. John D. Conner III.
As the day began, volunteers climbed the hill to Stonewall Park to sign-in, collect free t-shirts and munch on a catered breakfast of Chick-fil-A sandwiches and donuts, juice and coffee from Dunkin' Donuts.
An introduction from Thompson gathered the crowd as the Honor Guard presented colors and performed on the bagpipes. The Pledge of Allegiance was sang followed by words from Manassas City police officer, Trey Lawler.
Lawler explained that he had worked for Manassas City Police for only three weeks when Sgt. Conner was killed back on July 24th, 1988, and that he was able to spend two hours with him the day he passed.
The day's event also coincided with National Police Week and a candlelight vigil the night before in D.C. to honor the life of officers killed in the line of duty.
"We are especially excited about the location and timing of today's event; John was the type of guy that would be here at today's event to help out," Lawler said.
There was a moment of silence for the fallen sergeant, then Manassas Mayor Harry J. Parrish ll commented on what he saw as he approached the park.
"As I was walking up this morning I got a great deal of energy. I saw people young— and not so young—here to help out."
"You, the volunteers, are the most important people here today," the mayor said.
The Christian heavy metal/rock band, Messenger was also on hand to warm up the crowd.
Groups were then assigned to their project leaders and dispersed throughout Point of Woods neighborhoods.
Teens and their project leaders entered the woods to remove trash and within moments of the work beginning one of them had already retrieved an old black bicycle with one pedal.
Shovels, rakes, wheel burrows and helping hands were then ushered to the three acre-field where piles of compost, dirt and manure were waiting to form 30 new garden plots. Over 90 volunteers began to remove stones, rocks and hidden debris from the tilled soil.
The field was also the site of the tribute gazebo and dedication stone and plaque for fallen Sgt. Conner. The gazebo's rotted boards were replaced and it received fresh paint and decorative landscaping.
Nancy Berlin, master gardener with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, explained the layout.
"We've laid down mulch and stepping stones for easy maintenance, and all of the plants that were planted today around the gazebo are native plants that have been donated by Master Gardener's of Prince William County."
And it was Master Gardener Cindy Patterson also of VCE and head of the"native bed" that chose the plants.
"We planned a "red, white and blue" theme as well as "Four Seasons of Interest".
She explained the plants will bloom in patriotic colors and there is some "type" of action in the plants in every season of the year.
Volunteers took a brief break during the day as lunch was served to each of the project sites courtesy of St.Thomas United Methodist Church.
The finishing touches were placed on the gazebo and the dedication stone read,
"Sergeant John D. Conner III - A community hero who made the ultimate sacrifice. May he be remembered for his strength and courage. End of Watch - July 24th, 1988."
The day of events ended back in Stonewall Park with a "Block Party", the George Mason University Cheerleaders performed two 'thank you' chants for the crowd and fun awards were handed out, highlighting the day's many activities.
Awards included:
- Fairview Baptist Church - "Rubberband Award", for banding together and showing flexibility
- Capital Baptist Church - "Dog Award" for working like a dog
- Redeemer Church - "Dirty Award" - For getting the dirtiest
- Wesley United Methodist - "Bear Award" - for pulling a shopping cart out of the creek!
Old Towne Sports Pub also participated, preparing nearly 500 hot dogs, 200 hamburgers, coleslaw, baked beans and dessert. Ledo's Pizza brought 20 pizzas to cap off the day.
A special thank you goes out to the 80 partners and sponsors and 600 volunteers that made this event possible.
If you are interested in obtaining access to one of the garden plots please contact the Point of Woods Home Owners Association.
