This spring you can help give back to the local community by volunteering for a neighborhood cleanup in celebration of Earth Day, adopting a puppy, or competing in a trivia fundraiser for students.   Earth Day and Celebrate Trails Day April 25 location_onMount Vernon Trail languageWebsite The entire family can commemorate a belated Earth Day by tidying up Mount Vernon Trail. Volunteers will remove trash from the marsh near Marina Towers along the trail. Participants are encouraged to bring gloves, waterproof boots, water, a long-sleeve shirt, and long pants; snacks will be provided (free).   Marvin Gaye Park Cleanup April 25 location_onMarvin Gaye Park languageWebsite Participate in a Saturday morning cleanup of Marvin Gaye Park to help support Anacostia River conservation. Supplies will be provided (free).   Extreme Cleanup at the Carter Barron April 26 location_onCarter Barron Mini-Oasis languageWebsite Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Stream Team Leader Valerie Fitton-Kane are wrapping up a month-long effort to restore the Rock Creek watershed. You can sign up to remove litter that’s causing stormwater pollution (free but registration required).   Punk It Forward April 29 location_onJammin’ Java languageWebsite Rock out to the punk and post-hardcore sounds of DC rock bands Shelley Star and the Galaxy, Old Knife, and GiGi Marie at Jammin’ Java to help raise funds for Survivors.org, an organization that supports sexual violence prevention and survivors ($21).   Trivia for Cheaters April 30 location_onRopes Gray LLP languageWebsite Trivia whizzes—and newbies—can test their knowledge of literature, history, science, and pop culture to support 826DC’s free writing and tutoring programs for local youth (donations welcome).   Evening for Hope Gala May 2 location_onJW Marriott Washington DC languageWebsite Attend the Evening for Hope Gala to raise funds for the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health. The elegant event includes a cocktail reception, dinner, music performances, and an after party (ticket prices TBA).   Park and Bark May 9 location_onEllanor C. Lawrence Park languageWebsite Families and pets can spend the day outdoors for a good cause. At Park and Bark, there’s sausages and hotdogs to taste at Kaziville food truck, craft brews from Lazy Dog Restaurant, live music, dog-themed vendors, kid’s activities, and an opportunity to adopt dogs from A Forever Home Rescue Foundation (free, donations welcome). Remember to share this post with a friend on social media, and sign up for our newsletter for more things to do.The post Park Cleanups, Puppy Adoption, Trivia: 7 Ways to Help the DC Area Community first appeared on Washingtonian. ...read more read less