September has seen the return of regular serving opportunities for Serve the City. On September 12th we held our first Big Volunteer Day since COVID began. We also began a twice monthly project helping to clean up Elmerton Cemetery in Hampton. It is the final resting place of many emancipated and self-emancipated African-American slaves from the 19th century. Elmerton is also the resting place of Mary S. Peake, the first teacher of freedmen and others at Fort Monroe. Mary taught her first lessons to people of all ages under a tree called Emancipation Oak. Today, the area is preserved on the campus of Hampton University.
So far our projects have all been outdoor yard work so we can maintain good physical distancing but we are looking for creative ways to engage those in need, both indoors and out, and still be COVID safe.
