Our mission

Lafayette Gives Back is the school’s community service outreach program. We provide our students and families with hands-on volunteer opportunities. These events allow our students to gain a better understanding of the needs in our region and beyond, and to see how they are able to personally make a difference.

We have an established partnership with our sister school, Takoma Elementary School (TES), to support its students, teachers and families. TES is a Title 1 DCPS school less than two miles from Lafayette.

Our community service activities

August/September

Back to school teacher supply drive

Help fulfill TES teacher wish lists and stock their classrooms with much-needed school supplies. If you are able to help out by purchasing a few items, we will have an Amazon wish list so supplies can be sent directly to TES. “Thank you so much for helping in any way. I know all the teachers were so excited and happy for this chance.” – TES PTO President

October

Book drive

Donate gently used books for TES students. Many TES students do not have access to books at home and this book drive is a huge help. We will be collecting books ONLY for grades preK-3 through 5th grade. Please no textbooks, baby books, or books that would otherwise not be appropriate for these age groups, and please donate only books that are in relatively good condition. Books are distributed at TES’s fall festival.

Knollwood Halloween Parade – hopefully returning in 2022

Participate in a fun costume parade, talent show and trick-or-treating extravaganza to share the Halloween spirit with the residents at Knollwood Retirement Community.  Generally held on same day as Lafayette costume parade at school.  

October/November

Coat and cold weather gear collection

Have your kids outgrown their winter gear? Donate new or gently used coats, hats, mittens and warm weather gear for TES families.  We will be accepting all sizes from infant through adult. 

***Please wash all items before dropping off.***

December

Holiday gift drive

As we all know, the need in our city is greater than ever right now. Our holiday drive reflects this and we will have two ways to give back:

(1) Purchase a gift for a TES family in need via an Amazon wish list that the Takoma counselors prepare. Gifts purchased there will be sent directly to the families. 

(2) Sign up to purchase a gift for a Lafayette family in need

January

MLK Day of Service

Warm your body and your heart on MLK Day at the Lafayette Community Service Fair. We will have a variety of hands-on activities to support local organizations including Martha’s Table, Children’s National Medical Center, the Humane Rescue Alliance among others. We will plan COVID-safe activities if we cannot be together in person.

Spring

5K / Fun run with TES families

Park clean up volunteer days

Ongoing 

Stock TES’s food pantry

We will be continuously collecting meals and groceries for TES’s food pantry.  More information to come!

Pen-pals

Our kids will have the opportunity to pen-pal with a resident of the Knollwood Retirement Community.  Email us to sign up.

We will also post volunteer activities for our kids throughout the year.

How to volunteer

We love our volunteers of all ages.  You make our events a success!  We have many discreet projects as well as leadership roles available.  

Email us at to join us!

Stay informed about upcoming events

Read the Tuesday Bulletin or join our Lafayette Gives Back Facebook group.