826DC threw a virtual Homecoming bash to mark TEN YEARS of writing with local young people!
Just like we do at many of our writing workshops, we started the evening with a question. “What is a thing you love about writing?” we asked, inviting folks to respond in the chat.
One by one, the faces of so many 826DC volunteers, donors, current and former staff, students, and educators appeared on our virtual dance floor.
We also heard from some other friends of 826DC—Dave Eggers, John Grisham, Neil Gaiman, Jake Tapper, and Kyle Dargan! They recorded special birthday messages, like this one, to share.
After presenting well-earned awards to our first Homecoming Court and a short, collaborative writing activity in smaller breakout rooms (this is 826DC, after all), we returned to the main Zoom room and raised more than $100,000 to support this vital work!
We can’t tell you how grateful we are, both to have written, imagined, processed, and explored with so many young authors since we started, and for all that this community does to help us continue offering these opportunities in the years to come.
Whether you joined 826DC at Homecoming or were there in spirit, thank you. Here’s to you, to each and every 826DC student, and to all of the incredible stories we’ll share in the next ten years.
Onward!