__________________________________________
DUPONT CURRENT
____________________March 5, 2003______________________
Burgundy
Crescent Volunteers celebrate anniversary.
By
CHRISTEN ARAGONI
For some participants of Burgundy Crescent
Volunteers, envelope-stuffing is a favorite activity, providing them with an
opportunity to sit back and talk as well as help an organization. Other Burgundy
members enjoy cooking meals for such programs as D.C. Central Kitchen and the
District’s Food & Friends.
“It’s a way to give back to the
community. It’s a way to meet other people,” Burgundy co-founder Jonathan
Blumenthal said of volunteering.
With more than 800 members from the
District, Maryland and Virginia, Burgundy Crescent contributes volunteers to
local and national gay and gay-friendly community organizations and creates a
social network for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender singles and couples
through volunteer activities.
“I never realized how fun volunteering
is,” noted co-founder Angela Hunt, who said Burgundy’s third co-founder Eric
Cohen, introduced her to volunteering through Gloves – Gay, Lesbian and Other
Volunteer Singles.
When that group folded, and with Cohen
and Blumenthal meeting through Gloves and no longer single, Hunt, Cohen and
Blumenthal decided to start an organization for gay, lesbian transgender singles
and couples. Burgundy Crescent – a name with no meaning but with an easy logo
to draw, Hunt explained – began attracting members through a Web site and
newspaper advertisements.
“In the future, I would like to have
us volunteer for more gay or gay-friendly organizations that would like to have
us help,” Hunt said. “We have grown much bigger than I ever thought.”
On Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m., Burgundy
Crescent Volunteers will celebrate its second anniversary at Mimi’s American
Bistro, at 2120 P St.
Organizers expect between 75 and 150
attendees – Burgundy participants, representatives from organizations Burgundy
Crescent supports, and community members interested in learning more about the
volunteer group.
“It is a way for us to come together
and a time for people to socialize,” Blumenthal said. “It’s a way to thank
all the people who contributed to the organization.”
The event will involve honoring members
with such awards as volunteer of the year and other recognitions, as well as
hearing from keynote speaker Rhonda Buckner, executive director of the D.C.
chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
“I just hope people enjoy themselves
because it is our social event. We have a lot of volunteers through Burgundy
Crescent that have fun with helping organizations,” Hunt said.
Event tickets, which can be purchased
online at www.burgundycrescent.org,
are $15, which will go solely toward the anniversary celebration’s expenses,
according to Blumenthal.
“We want to keep costs down and make
it accessible to as many people as possible,” Blumenthal added, explaining
that the anniversary is the only Burgundy event with a fee.
Each month, Burgundy Crescent members
participate in about 20 activities, which range from helping out with mailings
to ushering at a variety of events. “We’re a great resource for
organizations that need volunteers,” Blumenthal said. “Most organizations
are just becoming aware of us.”
The group also plans monthly social
activities but does not hold membership meetings. Anyone interested in joining
can visit www.burgundycrescent.org
for more information. There is no membership fee. The group’s few expenses are
covered through donations, Blumenthal said.
The two-year-old organization is
flexible for participants. “People can choose to volunteer around their
schedules. There will always be new people as well,” Blumenthal said.
As Burgundy Crescent expands its membership and efforts, Blumenthal said
he wants to continue overseeing his organization’s growth and to shape how it
evolves. “We have a very personal approach,” he explained. “We are trying
to keep that and maintain that. It’s all fun and enjoyable.”