By Eric Sveum

Whether she is watering the flowers or guiding the children out to the playground, Ms. Lula Evans is a natural caretaker. Affectionately known as “Ms. Lula,” her hard work at YMCA Capital View has created a warm and beautiful environment.

“If you enjoy something, you should spend your time doing it,” says Ms. Lula. Since 1967, Ms. Lula has been enjoying her time volunteering in the community, as well as taking care of her personal garden where she grows red potatoes, string beans, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers and roses.

When YMCA Capital View opened next door to Ms. Lula more than five years ago, the expert gardener volunteered her time to plant flowers for the new location.

Ms. Lula’s contribution soon grew to helping YMCA Capital View in their child care and day camps on a daily basis. The transition from nurturing flowers to looking after the children at Capital View was a natural progression for Evans, who has always been active in the community.

To honor Ms. Lula’s invaluable contributions, YMCA Capital View created a new award this year: Volunteer of the Year.

YMCA Capital View Program Director Yoshimi Quinones says, “[Ms. Lula is] more than a volunteer; she is like a mom to us.” Yoshimi explains that Ms. Lula provides a lot of love and support for YMCA Capital View’s members and staff.

A resident of the Village of Parkland neighborhood since 1967, Ms. Lula has become a strong community leader. She has used her powerful influence in the surrounding neighborhood to stop teens from loitering and vandalizing around the YMCA. She also regularly helps YMCA Capital View attract community participation for events and garner attention and support for petitions.

“She is like our guardian angel,” says Yoshimi.

Ms. Lula Evans - Volunteer at YMCA Capital View

Ms. Lula feels blessed to have the opportunity to help out. “The YMCA is just like a second family. I know everybody. Nobody is a stranger,” she says.

Just as Ms. Lula finds joy in volunteering, she hopes that the children get to do what they enjoy. And she believes YMCA Capital View offers activities that all children can enjoy. “The Y is a fantastic place for the children to go because there are so many things for the kids to do,” she explains.

YMCA Capital View offers dodgeball, basketball, cheerleading, arts and crafts, and sleepover nights as part of their before and after school child care programs. Summer day camps include trips to skating rinks, pools, movie theaters and amusement parks.

What pleases Ms. Lula most is that YMCA Capital View is a safe and nurturing environment for the children. The YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are what help these children grow to become strong and healthy.

Ms. Lula's garden has certainly grown, and it now includes the countless children she has positively impacted at YMCA Capital View. Noting the similarities between her gardening and volunteering, she says, “It’s a beautification thing. I share what I have.”

And nothing is more beautiful than the smiling faces and excited voices of the YMCA children who Ms. Lula shares her time with every day.

To share your time and talents, click here to learn about the volunteering opportunities the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington has to offer.