Mike Ribeiro, John Marshall and Capitals Fans Prepare D.C.’s Thurgood Marshall Elementary for the School Year
Group volunteered as part of D.C. Public Schools Beautification Day
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PrintARLINGTON, Va. – Washington Capitals forward Mike Ribeiro and his family, mascot Slapshot, John Marshall and more than 150 Capitals fans volunteered their time on Saturday, Aug. 25, at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Washington, D.C., as part of D.C. Public Schools’ (DCPS) Beautification Day. The date marked the second consecutive year the Capitals have hosted a project at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School and the fourth year the Capitals partnered with Serve DC – The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism to participate in DCPS Beautification Day.
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Beautification Day was established in 2005 as an annual citywide “spruce up” of D.C. Public Schools prior to the first day of school. Thurgood Marshall participants were among approximately 4,000 volunteers participating at 115 D.C. Public Schools on Saturday.
Ribeiro and volunteers worked on several exterior and interior projects around the school. Participants created vegetable garden beds with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s People’s Garden initiative, weeded the grounds and cared for a garden created by volunteers last year. They also built three robotics tables, painted five murals, two bathrooms, a classroom wall and an elevator and assisted teachers with classroom set up for the first day of classes on Aug. 27.
“It was great to work with fans to prepare Thurgood Marshall Elementary for the upcoming school year,” said Ribeiro. “I hope the teachers and students have a successful year and enjoy the results of Beautification Day.”
In addition to Ribeiro, Marshall, son of former U.S. Supreme Court justice Thurgood Marshall, participated with volunteers on Saturday. Marshall grew up as a Capitals fan and played hockey in Washington, D.C., at Fort Dupont Ice Arena. While attending Georgetown University, Marshall played hockey on the club-level team and continues to play recreationally today.
Ribeiro, 32, was acquired in June from the Dallas Stars in exchange for center Cody Eakin and a second-round draft pick (54th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft. He ranked tied for second in Dallas with 63 points (18 goals, 45 assists) in 74 games during the 2011-12 season.
