They came for the work, not the weather
TOURISM CARES for Oakland brought together 175 volunteers from 65 companies and 22 U.S. states for a (rainy) workday in
the Bay Area. The volunteers worked side by side at three popular Oakland tourist sites: Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt and
a brewery on the Oakland Ale Trail. The 900 hours logged by workers—including NTA members and staff—accomplished in one
day what might take three weeks for the staffs of the work sites to achieve.
“An all-volunteer workforce maintains the park at Lake Merritt. To see the work that they
do on a daily basis and how well the gardens are kept was an amazing testament to how
much pride and love they have for their city and how treasured the lake is to everyone.”
—Morgan Maravich, NTA member engagement manager
“What struck me the most about the event was the positive vibe. Despite the wind
and rain, the Tourism Cares staff, volunteers and locals were helpful, productive and
upbeat. I made some really great friends that day while “roughing the elements” at
Lake Merritt. It’s just another example of how rewarding and fun it is to be a part of
the tourism community.”
—Anna Pettus, NTA communication and marketing manager
“I always love how people from the industry come together and really get after it
during Tourism Cares projects, and I enjoyed being in Oakland this time. I’d never
spent much time there before, and it was cool to get to roam around downtown and the
waterfront. The next time I’m in the Bay Area, I’ll definitely be going back to explore
Oakland in more depth.”
—Pat Henderson, NTA senior writer
NTA staffers Anna Pettus, Pat Henderson
and Morgan Maravich volunteered at Tourism
Cares for Oakland.
S T A Y L A F AY E T T E
Plan your escape to the Happiest City in America.
L A F AY E T T E T R AV E L . C O M /Groups
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