Volunteers sought to help at Manzanar’s Children’s Village site
Work event to include special dinner with two former orphans
The public is cordially invited to join Manzanar National Historic Site park staff and others over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2 - Sept. 6, in preserving Manzanar’s Children’s Village, the only WWII Japanese American incarceration camp orphanage.
Participants will be joined by former Manzanar orphans Karyl Matsumoto and Lillian Ogata Bonner, according to the site.
There will be a group dinner and presentation about Children’s Village Saturday, Sept. 3, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Lone Pine Smokehouse that anyone, even if those who are not working at the volunteer project, can attend.
Much of the planned work can be physically demanding, according to staff. Previous experience is helpful, but all that is really needed is a willingness to get dirty.
The main work will consist of rebuilding the rustic wood gazebo and fences that were at the orphanage, resetting building footers, and installing a few signs.
Participants also will be raking leaf duff, pruning trees, pulling weeds, and using wheelbarrows to move dirt.
Manzanar National Historic Site park staff will be able to accommodate up to 25 volunteers a day. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old and be able to work outdoors.
Volunteers must sign up in advance and may work any number of days or hours, but a full day or multiple days are preferred. Work will be conducted regardless of weather, so volunteers are asked to come prepared, bring water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, hat, and work gloves.
Participants will meet each day at 7:30 a.m. in the visitor center parking lot and work until 3:30 p.m..
Volunteers should RSVP as participation is limited.. Email Jeff
Burton at jeff_burton@nps.gov for more information and to sign up.
Manzanar National Historic Site is located nine miles north of Lone Pine and six miles south of Independence on the west side of U.S. Highway 395.
Learn more about Manzanar National Historic Site at www.nps. gov/manz. The site also can be found on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.