On April 22, 2025 — Earth Day — Citation Labs celebrated something special: our Inaugural Day of Service! Every team member received a full day of PTO to volunteer with a nonprofit of their choice, with the simple mission: make a difference.
While many of us took to the parks and beaches for clean-up efforts in honor of Earth Day, others found unique ways to lend a hand in their communities. No matter how they chose to serve, the Citation Labs team made a tangible, positive impact — and had a lot of fun doing it!
Here’s a glimpse into how some of our team members spent their day:
Chris’s Park Adventure (and Tire Saga)
Chris set out with a simple plan: clean up four local parks armed with trash bags and a trusty grabber (borrowed from his kid). But an early grabber malfunction led to an impromptu Walmart run, and just when he thought things were back on track, a rogue screw in his tire (probably picked up at one of the parks) derailed his plans again! Ever the optimist, Chris didn’t waste a moment — while waiting for his tire to be replaced, he kept cleaning up around the auto shop. Tire trouble or not, he turned every detour into an opportunity to serve.
The Louisville Dream Team (Erika, Garrett, Valerie, and Sallie)
Armed with trash bags and unstoppable spirit, our Louisville crew hit Cherokee Park, tackling trails and waterlines. Garrett earned legendary status by fearlessly wading into the creek to fish out particularly gnarly debris, while Erika, Valerie, and Sallie cheered him on from dry land. (Moral support is essential, after all!) It was a true team effort that made a real difference — and some serious memories.
Durham’s Clean-Up Crusaders (Jasmine, Lee, and Chloe)
In Durham, Lee rallied a mighty cleanup squad with Jasmine, Chloe, and local volunteers to battle litter. Thanks to Keep Durham Beautiful, they geared up with vests, trash grabbers, and even a scale to weigh their haul! The team uncovered all kinds of oddities, from burnt CDs to entire car bumpers. Jasmine said she left the day feeling energized and inspired to keep taking “trash breaks” in her neighborhood (a.k.a. taking walks around her neighborhood picking up litter). We love a good life hack.
Lindsay’s Fresh Food Mission
Lindsay spent her service day at MANNA FoodBank, sorting fresh grapes for distribution to local pantries. Carefully picking out the bad from the good ensured that families in need received fresh, healthy produce. It was a rewarding (and surprisingly meditative) experience, and a great reminder of how even the seemingly-smallest tasks can ripple outward to make a big difference.
Luke’s Clothing Closet Connection
Luke spent his service day volunteering at Ivy Threads, Ivy Tech’s on-campus clothing closet designed to help students succeed. Ivy Threads offers free, professional clothing to students, giving them the confidence — and the wardrobe — they need for job interviews, internships, and career fairs. Luke jumped in by organizing donations, picking up and delivering clothes from storage, and welcoming students who stopped by to shop. Luke said it was amazing to see how a simple idea — donated clothing — can open doors for students preparing for their future careers.
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Alex’s Mulch Mission
Alex (and his kids!) got their hands dirty (literally) spreading mulch at a brand-new community playground’s picnic area. Thanks to his hard work, families now have an even more welcoming spot to gather, laugh, and make memories.
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Suzanna’s Sun-Soaked Clean-Up
Suzanna spent her service day giving a local park some much-needed love, picking up litter and helping restore its natural beauty. While she didn’t stumble across anything too wild (unless you count the sheer amount of trash left behind by careless visitors), she still made a big impact — and caught a little sunburn in the process! It was a reminder that every piece of trash collected helps keep our shared spaces cleaner, safer, and more beautiful for everyone.
Rachel’s Earth Day Homeschool Adventure
Rachel turned her service day into a family project, teaming up with her daughter to clean up their local city park. It was a beautiful day, a hands-on lesson in giving back, and a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day together.
Karsten’s Beach Clean-Up Bliss
Karsten spent the day at one of his favorite spots — Welwyn Nature Preserve and beach — helping clear trash and keep the natural beauty alive. Sunshine, fresh air, and a cleaner coastline? We call that a win-win.
The Big Picture
Whether we were hauling mulch, rescuing waterlogged junk, sorting grapes, or giving clothing to students embarking upon new careers, one thing was clear: the Citation Labs team showed up, stepped up, and gave back.
This first Day of Service won’t be the last — we’re already excited to keep finding new ways to support the communities we live and work in.
Here’s to rolling up our sleeves, making memories, and leaving things a little better than we found them — together.