This month we are highlighting Rose Greene Colby - a longtime volunteer for M-NCPPC and a former employee. It’s something she does to give back to the community and to uplift the people around her. Rose has been volunteering for as long as she can remember. “I started out as a kid in junior high. I volunteered with the American Red Cross,” said Rose. “I can look back and say I helped with that project and here is why it is important,” Volunteering with the American Red Cross is also where she discovered her passion for helping others. “I used to work at blood mobiles as a teenager,” said Rose.
Rose graduated from the University of Maryland College Park and eventually became an employee for the Department. In 2001 she was hired as a Grant Coordinator and stayed in that role for 13 years. She later became a Resources Development Specialist and spent time working in the Public Affairs and Marketing Division. “It has been a great pleasure to work with the most well-known and award-winning parks department in the United States,” said Rose. Although Rose is no longer a paid employee of the Department, she finds herself still participating in many ways. “So many of (your) organizations, parks and historic sites and community centers are a big part of my life living in Prince George’s County, that’s probably why I easily come back and volunteer,” said Rose. As a volunteer with M-NCPPC, Rose served on the Parks and Recreation Board and is currently the president of the Field of Firsts Foundation that supports the work of College Park Aviation Museum. In that position, one of Rose’s goals, is to help bring in funding for the museum. She also plays a major role volunteering with her local civic association. “We have a very active civic association and I work with them on a variety of projects that are specific to our neighborhood,” said Rose. She works closely with the College Park City Council and the Mayor for the betterment of the community.
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Rose posing with the AmeriCorps in the 90's |
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For Rose, it’s about helping grow a project or organization. She says her most memorable volunteer experience was with AmeriCorps where she trained in volunteer management. “After college I did a year of service with Volunteer Maryland, an AmeriCorps site,” said Rose. “I was gaining new skills but also learning a lot about myself and other people,” said Rose. “I’ve served in human service organizations, youth service organizations, and neighbor associations and they all have different sort of audiences and missions, but it’s always the impact on other people and feeling like you’re making a contribution,” said Rose. |
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COVID-19 infections continue to rise in Maryland and in Prince George’s County. Currently, the County's, down from January 2021 but up since June 2021. Beginning August 8, Prince George’s County reinstated the mandatory mask mandate for all individuals vaccinated and unvaccinated in indoor public spaces.. |
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These public spaces include restaurants, retail stores, entertainment venues, conference centers, and office settings. Leaders of Prince George’s County are encouraging everyone to get vaccinated. “Every COVID-19 vaccine available in Prince George’s County has been proven to be extremely safe and extremely effective at keeping people from getting hospitalized or dying from the virus, including its Delta variant,” said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Dr. George Askew. “The vast majority of people in Prince George’s County who have died or been hospitalized over the last few weeks due to COVID were unvaccinated. The science is clear that the vaccines work, and if more people are vaccinated, we can finally end this pandemic.” Interested in getting vaccinated? Click here!
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Students of Prince George’s County Public schools will be making their return to in person learning this school year. Students in grades K-6 will still be able to utilize virtually learning with limited availability. PGCPS requires students, faculty and staff to wear mask while on school grounds and during in person learning. Prince George’s Public school’s first day of class is September 8. |
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Extend your summer fun. This year pools will remain open until September 5. Find out more information on your pool here.
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We are glad to announce that our venue rentals are now available again for Prince George’s County’s and Montgomery County's patrons' use. These venues can be rented to hold private events, at a limited capacity. We are excited to provide you some of the finest spaces to host your holiday celebrations, Sweet 16s, weddings and so much more. Here are some venues available for reservations.
- Community Centers – Multipurpose rooms, gymnasiums, entire facilities
- Historic Sites – Oxon Hill Manor, Billingsley House, Newton White Mansion, Prince George’s Ballroom, Snow Hill Manor, The Great Room at Laurel-Beltsville Senior Activity Center
- Park buildings - Adelphi Manor, Ardmore, Birchwood, Bradbury, Brooke Road, Fort Foote, Jesse Warr, Lane Manor, Lincoln Vista, Lynnalan, Millwood, Oakcrest, Parklawn, T. Howard Duckett, Vansville, West Lanham Hills, Woodlawn, Suitland Water Tank
- Other – Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex, Show Place Arena, Bandwagon stage, community garden plots, field permits.
If you’d like to make a reservation you must be a verified Parks Direct customer, provide valid proof of residency, age, and identification. You can contact the individual facility to inquire about availability, capacity and fees.
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There’s a new way to discover some of the best parks, pools, museums and recreational centers around Prince George’s County. M-NCPPC introduces the brand-new Park Finder. It’s an interactive tool that helps community member’s locate recreational amenities right in your neighborhood. The map will assist in finding all things fun. Try it out here and let the fun times roll!
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A New Playspace Is Coming To Bladensburg |
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A playground at the Bladensburg Community Center will soon be getting a facelift. M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County and Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation are partnering with KABOOM! to build a new playspace for children. The new playspace will be for kids ages 2-12. The former playground is 20 years old, so it was time for a change. It’ll be a multisport court where kids can jump, slide and play. The project is currently in the Community Engagement phase. You can share your thoughts and ideas or even help build during Build Week. Build Week is October 12 through October 15 from 4 to 8pm. Click here for more information.
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Did you know that the Excellence in Education Foundation for PGCPS, Inc. recognizes the importance of Prince George’s County Public School students being actively engaged in student service-learning and offers a scholarship for graduating seniors who best personify an ongoing commitment to “exemplary service-learning"? That's just one example of the benefits of student service-learning.
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If you have questions about volunteering or student-service learning hours, contact jo-ann.martinez@pgparks.com.
If you have any ideas for upcoming newsletter features, contact andrea.braswell@pgparks.com.
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