“Across the Bay, I discovered a hidden gem in the Gardens at Lake Merritt, in Oakland. I was greeted with soothing sounds from a koi pond fountain and a lush green backdrop of colorful flowers and soaring trees. Beyond the green oasis, sounds of rakes, hand shovels and conversation buzzed like an orchestra of goodness. More than a hundred volunteers worked, laughed and inspired one another.

Myriam Garcia and her two young children Max and Paloma, took a break to tell me why they spent their Saturday morning working in the community garden. “I came to beautify the city where I grew up, where I work. This is my community,” she says passionately.”   — Be The Change Day (Oct. 2, 2010) Coverage on Huffington Post