There is a new ripple in George Mason University’s annual Go Gaga for Green community Earth Day celebration. This year, the public is being invited to “vote” for their favorite among the 37 entries of the Operation Rain Barrel. The artistic rain barrel receiving the most votes will be crowned the “People’s Choice” winner at the event to be held Saturday, April 30, at the Arlington Campus.
Visitors to the “leader board” website can see which rain barrel—hand-painted by students from 37 Arlington County schools—is in first place. As visitors to the site continue to vote with their $1 donations, the first-place entry continues to change, as does the bar graph showing how close the funds raised are to the $3,500 goal. (Voting closes at noon on Friday, April 29.) All the barrels will also be judged for design by a three-member panel, with the top three winners to be announced April 30.
The rain barrel competition and subsequent auction illustrates the community involvement of the Go Gaga for Green program, hosted by George Mason’s Arlington Campus Office of Government and Community Relations. Rain barrels represent environmental sustainability, and Arlington school children learn about their use and water conservation as they design and paint the barrels. The funds raised benefit Mason’s Early Identification Program, Arlington County Council’s PTA Scholarship Fund and the Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment’s Energy Masters Program.
The rain barrels will be exhibited and sold via silent auction during the Go Gaga for Green family-friendly event at Mason’s Founders Hall in Arlington from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. The Arlington Green Patriot Awards recognizing individuals and organizations that exemplify their commitment to sustainability also will be presented.
Activities include live entertainment, food, fun activities and the annual Lip Sync Battle. Registration information can be found here.