By Mary Jo Viero
BAPA Executive Director
We made it! We survived another Chicago winter and now it’s time to come out of hiding and start doing! Doing what? My answer is always the same: Put your passion into action.
You can’t go wrong if you do something you love! I am lucky enough to be doing what I am passionate about every day, working to strengthen our community.
It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to do what we want, where we want, when we want. Many people took advantage of being home so much by completing lots of house projects. Now that we are free to get out of the house, let’s take advantage and start doing things we love!
If you are passionate about our neighborhood, I have plenty of ways to put your passion into action.
For instance, if you hate to see garbage and winter debris scattered all over the neighborhood, you can sign up for BAPA’s Clean and Green on April 23. You can also stop by our office at 1744 W. 99th St. and pick up a litter grabber for $5 and get a head start on litter now.
If you love trees and have noticed that we are losing many mature trees in the neighborhood, or if your own parkway is bare, call BAPA and we can help you apply for an Openlands tree grant.
If you love to look at beautiful and unique homes, volunteer for our Home Tour and get free admission.
If you love to run, start training for the Ridge Run or even start a team. If you child likes to run, you can start running team at your child’s school; if there’s already a running team, you can help out as a coach or volunteer. Maybe this is the year your family does the Ridge Run together.
BAPA is not the only place to start doing great things. If you are passionate about the arts, check out the Beverly Arts Center and take a class, see a show or a movie and listen to some live music.
Nature lovers can enjoy the beauty of the Dan Ryan Woods – there are monthly workdays for volunteers.
If you like baseball and drinking beer, you can take me to a Sox game and buy me an Old Style. (Just kidding!)
But really, the possibilities are endless! I’m looking forward to seeing you outside this spring, doing what you love.
Mary Jo
