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From: ~kate

hello!
in honor of Dar's birthday, im going to volunteer at a domestic violence sexual assault shelter.

~kate

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From: SummerQ

I won't be able to do it on Dar's birthday, but I do volunteer at a battered women's shelter on Tuesdays. I'll dedicate that to her.

Summer

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From: Jennifer L. Shanley

oh cool! Well, is it alright if my "day of service" is a few days early? On the 15th everyone in my college is going to a local site in need of service and working there. I am going to a place called "Hope Hall" which is an inner-city school for disabled kids. They wanted the school mascot painted on the wall of the gym, and also just some time for us to work/play with the kids. So, that's what I'll be doing. Painting, and helpin' out with some of the children. :) I'm looking forward to it actually. So, can this be applied to the Dar-project?

Jennifer Shanley

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From: Meg Rowe

I am going to be volunteering this Sunday, April 11th, for Tidewater Entertainters Association's Thanksgiving in Spring benefit concert to raise food and money for the local food bank. I'm gonna be at the door taking donations, helping to sell raffle tickets, and stuff like that. Also later this month (not sure of the exact date, maybe the 23rd?) I am going to be helping the Oceanfront Jaycees with a beach cleanup.

Meg Rowe

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From: "Karen, the 'raging' feminist"

hi,

i will be volunteering at planned parenthood on the 19th. it is a weekly thing, though, but i actually will be doing service on the 19th.

also, not sure if this is going to pan out or not (for logistical purposes), but i may be teaching a 7th grade special education class basic japanese sometime that week.

thanks,
karen :-)

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From: carolie

I'm actually helping with several things...

First, a clean-up/restoration of our local gorgeous waterfall called Pearson's Falls (I actually have a fantastic pic of the Falls on a postcard my Dad, a pro photographer, created if anyone wants one...)

I'll also be helping set up and then speaking at our local Gathering for Good, at which 96 service organizations from all over the county get together to let the local folks (students, elderly, everyone in between) know what is going on, and what they can do, and how they can get involved. The particular groups I'm involved for this gig are the Historical Society (basically a "save the museum" organization for our underfunded and overextended local museum), Found-A-Friend (like Big Brother/Big Sister) and Rotary (service, scholarships, exchange programs, clean-ups and restorations, even a roof once for an elderly lady who needed one! Not just the buying of the materials...we pounded those shingles on!)

Oh...and I'm helping our county Conservationist plant 6 acres of warm season grasses for the wildlife (rabbits, quail, many species of birds who need tall grass cover and have very little left due to farming, overgrazing and construction.)

Dunno if this counts, but tomorrow, am helping the Polk County Museum paint the fire hydrants (we do this every year, and paint them to look like little men and women in old fashioned clothing..it's silly, but pretty.)

Ummm.....am in the process of developing a Living History program for the museum, am volunteering, developing and running it...to 1) educate the public, 2) provide non-electronic "family fun", 3) get folks to visit our teeny museum and 4) to teach the homeschoolers and "Found-A-Friend" kids that will help me with the project about volunteering and philanthropy (giving of time and talents if not $$).

Whenever I can find the time, I am a storyteller freelance...and I do the old folks' homes and children's homes free of charge. Hey, if anyone else is reading this, it takes VERY little other than a smile to help with Bingo at your county retirement home. Some of the elderly NEVER get a pat or a hug or a smile even....much easier to hug a kid than an older person....keep that in mind....YOU'LL be there one day!

These things may be small and silly...but they make my soul feel good. Seeing folks who are "known" like Dar giving of their own time and talent is inspiring. I'm grateful to Dar and her talents and her music on so many levels...

Happy birthday and many happy returns of the day to Dar, as Eeyore would say. I'm glad you were born, and glad you're on this planet. You make life brighter for so many of us. Thanks.

With laughter,
Carolie

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From: Sarah

Dear Dar,
In honor of your birthday, I am doing some community service in the local school. I have joined a mentoring program where, twice or three times a week, I take two students from Reiche, the school, and go to a community center to talk, do homework, and a sort of self-esteem awareness curriculum that the head of the center designed. The two girls I work with are named Shareena (a fourth grader), and Malore (a third grader). The school recommended them for the program because they come from difficult homes and
have problems in school, behavior wise and such. I have met with them once already, and these two girls are wonderful. The school that they go to is the most diverse school in Maine and the students within the school speak a total of thirty-two different languages. They have a massive ESL program, social workers, and teacher aids, but the students are still very rowdy and the school has a lack of funding. It is a neat place though, they have lots of community outreach around to help the kids, and I hope that it is making a difference. We'll see, I guess.

So Happy Birthday Dar. I hope this next year brings lots of music, lots of fun, and tons of friends. You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for your music and for your positive nature. Hope you have a fantastic Birthday.

Dancing like nobody's looking,
Sarah Twombly

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From: Charlie Sweeney

As in past years I will be participating in the "Christmas in April" program tomorrow in honor of Dar's Birthday.

That means that I'll be rehabbing an occupied house in a disadvantaged section of Philadelphia for an owner who can't afford to fix it up himself. The program is supported by national businesses such as Home Depot who supplies the materials. The volunteers are University of Pennsylvania Wharton School students primarily, with the crew chiefs being made up of older folks with construction experience. I would be one of the latter. I got elected when I showed up a few years ago with a real toolbelt!

So Happy Birthday Dar. Your birthday present is a warm dry secure home for some folks in Southwest Philadelphia.

Charlie Sweeney (=}===#
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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From: Grace Ma

Dear Dar,

Happy Birthday! Last year I was in the audience that sang "Happy Birthday" to you at SF Palace of Fine Arts. I couldn't attend either of the SF CCC concerts in 1998 due to finals and Greg Brown tickets my friend bought in advance. Congratulations on the success of Cry,Cry,Cry.

I'm going to donate an extra $10 to Audubon in honor of your birthday. I'll renew my membership for the Nature Conservancy at the same time.

Good luck with your summer tour!
Take care,
Grace Ma

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From: Cara Berkowitz


Hello! My name is Cara. For Dar's birthday, I am going to organize and captain a Relay For Life team. The relay for life is a 24 hour relay in which each team is required to keep at least one person on the track at all times. Each team member gets sponsored per lap, and the money benefits the American Cancer Society.

Happy birthday, Dar! I hope you are having a powerful day. I wanted to let you know how much of an inspiration your music has been to me. I am 15 and I play the guitar, and you have inspired me to someday become a folk singer. My friend Kati also wishes you a happy birthday. (Ever since I gave her one of your tapes, you are her favorite singer too.) Please continue to open our souls with your wonderful, awesome music! You are a welcoming back from the ocean!

Sincerely,

Cara Berkowitz

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From: Michele
Hi!

Okay, I think this idea about doing community service for Dar's birthday is really neat. I will be going tomorrow (April 12th) to a soup kitchen in New York City to volunteer for the afternoon. Is this too far off? The next few weeks are rocky for me and that seems to be the closest I can get, other than finding out if I got into a Social Action summer program the week of Dar's birthday(which happens to be the week of my birthday, too.). Okay enough. I have to stop talking even though I can use the excuse that I only slept an
hour last night.

Michelle

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From: Kris Zimmermann

Dear Dar,

I am interested in the health of women and children in this country, and much of the volunteer work that I do is related to this interest. On May 1, I will be walking in the March of Dimes WalkAmerica. It is a 20K walk to support and raise money for their cause. I have been collecting donations from sponsors, and I will be making my own donation to them.

Hope you have a Happy Birthday!

Kris Zimmerman
Madison, Wisconsin

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From: Curry Rose Hoskey

In honor of Dar's birthday, I will be doing my second annual Dar Williams Birthday radio show, playing some of Dar's favorite artists, including Janis Ian, Joan Baez, Phil Ochs, and more. The show will be on WOMR 92.1 FM Provincetown, Massachusetts. Outermost Community Radio--all volunteer deejays. 6000 watts--yeah!

Dar, I love you! I send you a cosmic purple pen. Happy Birthday.

Love,
Curly

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From: *Danielle Sandella~


dear dar,

on may 16th, I'm going to walk in the AIDS walk, in new york. Usually I raise about $200 a year, and there are so many more people there! I'm so glad that so many people go. I hope you have a good birthday. I love your music...you are so wonderful!!!! I can't wait to see you on the 25th! (I'll probably be with two friends...i'm so excited!) see you soon...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

*Danielle Sandella~

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From: Chris Mancini

Dear Dar,
Thank you for sharing your voice and music with us in listener land. And you've done it! You have inspired me, for one, to get out there and help out the world. Sunday, April 18th I will be helping with the set up for the Multiple Sclerosis Walk here at Vassar College. I have done volunteer work in the past, but have not made it a regular habit. You are a wonderful influence. I am impatiently anticipating your upcoming show at Vassar on April 23. I hope I get a chance to say hello and thank you in person. Happy Birthday Dar! Keep rocking out (or folking out?) I wish you the bluest skies and a clean Hudson.

Much love and sincerity,
Chris Mancini
Vassar College

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From: Young, Robert

Dear Dar,

I'm writing this message as part of the community service project which Sally Green initiated in honor of your birthday. Happy birthday by the way! I have a cousin who did something similar to this when she turned 40. She asked that everyone attending her party donate money to a charity of their choice. I thought this was a wonderful idea.

What I've decided to do is contribute $25.00 to the Stonewall Center Scholarship Fund at U Mass, Amherst. Scholarship money received is used to assist gay/lesbian students whose parents withdraw financial support when the students come out. I am gay myself and I think how lucky I was, and still am, to have the love and support of my own mom and dad. I can't imagine how I would have gotten through my own college years without them.

Before signing off, I just want to say thank you for your wonderful music. It's been a part of my life for almost 3 years now, and I'll always be a fan. My partner John and I met you at the Academy of Music show in Northampton back in Feb. 98.

Take care, and once again happy birthday!

Bob Young

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From: Deborah Elizabeth Cleveland

to celebrate dar's birthday, i am participating in 3 hours a week of volunteer work at a youth residential psychiatric facility here in bellingham, washington. it's called the martin center, and is available for youth ages 8-18 who have behavioral and emotional problems. my major is therapeutic recreation and i will be volunteering at the facility during their recreational activities in the evenings once a week. in other words, i'll have the opportunity to improve my playing once more!

happy birthday to you dar! since i heard your voice four years ago, I haven't been able to get enough of it. your talent is unmeasurable and when i've seen you perform, your stage presence is amazing! enjoy your
birthday and party on.... :)

thank you,
debbie cleveland

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From: Hugh Barroll

Happy birthday Dar :) Last year, I gave you a Ken Kesey bus token at your San Francisco concert. This year, thanks to Sally's suggestion, I will be sending along a donation to the Snowden Environmental Trust. I work for EPA, so I am most happy that your charitable wing is aimed at helping the environment. Keep singing!

Hugh Barroll

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From: "Norman A. Johnson"

Dear Dar,

Happy Patriot's Day, Earth Day, and especially Happy Birthday

Thank you for your wonderful, meaningful songs. Many of them (too many to name) have touched me deeply. Thank you also for your spirit of generosity, kindness, and grace.

In honor of all of those things, I am donating $32 to the Snowden Environmental Trust. I'm sure it will go to good use.

Good luck with recording the new CD (I am eagerly awaiting hearing it, especially "Spring Street"-- my street-- and "Calling the Moon", which I heard you play at Summerstage). See you at the Millennial show at the Calvin if not before.

Best wishes

Norman, who turns 33 in 4 weeks

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From: Kristy Thompson

Dar,

I wish you the happiest of birthdays! Since your music and performances have been so inspirational to me I jumped at the chance to give something back...even if it was not to you directly.

I live in Portland Oregon and believe myself to be extremely lucky to have grown up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. A few months ago a Japanese tanker, the New Carissa, ran aground during one of our worst winter storms. While there were incredible attempts to salvage the ship and to lessen the amount of oil spilled, there was still a great amount that did leaked into our ocean. My volunteer efforts on behalf of your birthday involve a general clean up of the coast line as well as specific care to some of the bird sanctuaries nearest to the wreck site.

I'll be out at the coast the weekend of the 17th and 18th with a volunteer group, thinking of you, and playing your music to anyone and everyone who will listen. Thank you so much for the happiness you've shared over the years. I hope to see you in Portland again soon!

Kristy Thompson

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From: Anita Lauer

I will be happy to donate food to operation feed and to be a volunteer usher for the Wexner Center for the arts to honor Dar's birthday.

Anita Lauer

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From: Amanda Cornwall

To Dar Williams, on her birthday,
April 19, 1999.

Dar, you probably don't remember me but I finally had the chance to meet you after the Cry Cry Cry show in Seattle in December. I gave you a Reed College tshirt and a little card with the ocean on it and some pop rocks, which I later regretted. I also brought along the big book of folk music which had a little dossier on all of you. You signed it for me and I mailed it to Carl Westerling, a fan of yours who lives in Southampton, England who introduced me to your music.

Now that you still don't know who I am ;) I want to wish you a very happy birthday! May your reign be eternal!

In honor of your special day, I am thrilled to participate in the communal volunteering effort planned by the Darlist in your honor. On Saturday I am planning on participating in day-long project on Reed's campus, cleaning and doing trail maintenance in the Canyon, which is Reed's very own protected wetlands.

In addition I want to let you know that I've been spending 4 very rewarding hours per week tutoring a friend of mine, who is nine years old and a recent arrival from Perú. His school's ESL program is less than wonderful, so I'm helping him learn English. I will happily donate next week's volunteer hours in your name.

Although I studied English in college, I lack the words to express the importance of your music and your community in my life. I'm just very thankful for it all.

I'm making the pilgrimage from Oregon to Falcon Ridge in July, so I hope to see you there. Well, I know I'll see you from afar, certainly!

Best wishes for another stunning year,
love,
Amanda Cornwall

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From: Maura Greenman

--Sung to the "Chi-Chi's Restaurant Happy Birthday Song tune"

"Happy Happy Birthday!
From all of us to you.

Happy Happy Birthday!
May all your dreams come true. Hey!"

Happy Birthday, Dar-ster.

Hope you have a great day and a wonderful 32nd year!

In honor of your birthday (and NOT because I need the experience to get into Vet School next fall) I'll be volunteering many hours at the Falls Church Animal Hospital this spring. I promise I'll sing Dar-songs in my head all day long as I clean cages and take the puppies outside for walks.

All the best,

Maura Greenman
Falls Church, VA

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From: "Alana... Oh.Okay."

Hello Dar.

Alright, first i'm going to try and place myself for you, but I don't know if you'll remember me. I was Cry3's merchie grrrl in San Francisco for a couple of nights - I am Australian, I wrote you a letter (my mum has cancer and stuff)... any recollection?

Anyway, in thanks for all your music and stories you sing and play, for the trying times you've managed to pull me through (throw me, actually - your songs give me a swift kick up the behind, it's awesome, truly), and give back some of what I've gotten, I donated some money to an organisation who are researching children's cancer.

Thanks for it all, and for starting off a chain of warm fuzzies that have had an impact on the other side of the world where it's cold right now.

I hope your birthday was beautiful, and here's to your year.

In anticipation of the new Star wars film and the end of NATO,
Alana

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From: kris

Hi dar! Happy birthday.
i saw you last year in san francisco the day before your birthday.
i am sending $10 to the snowden environmental trust in honor of your birthday.
it is all i can afford right now, or else i would give more!
happiest of birthdays to you, and best wishes for the coming year.

one of your biggest, most obsessed fans,

kristin winges

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From: Nancy Tarantino

I am still floating a little above the ground after last night's McCarter Theatre performance, but will return to the earth long enough to wish you a happy birthday. The wonderful Sally Green has rallied the troops to
community service in honor of your birthday, and for this I will share two things: First, my daughter Becky (the budding cello player) and I, at Becky's request, volunteered several hours of time yesterday, 4/17 at a
church yard sale. The proceeds of this event are all going to the community Food Pantry here in Bloomfield, NJ. It is a cause that I try to aid as often as possible with either donations of food or money. It was also a good way to spend an afternoon with my daughter.

I also, in this week just over, supported public radio by renewing my membership to WFUV, doing so after hearing the Nields play live (with an inspired insertion of a promo you had done slipped in). Where would we be without public radio?

Thank you for sharing your gift with us all.

Wishing you a very happy birthday (and lots of clunky jewelry, if that's what you really want),

Nancy Tarantino

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From: Susan Moss

Dear Dar –
This past week has been the fundraiser for WLRN, our public radio station here in South Florida, and from 2 - 5 p.m. on Saturday is The Folk and Acoustic Show, which I make an attempt to listen to every weekend as I'm doing paperwork, household chores, or driving in the car.

I called halfway through yesterday's show and made a $100 pledge, requesting, and for the first time hearing on the air, You're Aging Well, the stunning song that was my introduction to your music over two years ago and which I now consider, at the age of 44, my personal anthem.

I stood in my kitchen, in front of the CD boombox, and absolutely sobbed, for many reasons: 1) for the present - I was hearing one of your songs for the first time over the airwaves, 2) for the past - I was remembering what an impact that song made on me when I heard it on Joan Baez' Ring Them Bells, and 3) for the future - I no longer think "aging well" has to be an oxymoron.

I cannot begin to tell you how much my life has changed, in so many positive directions, because of your songs - I have always loved music, but I listened to it alone for many years. When I "discovered" you, you led me to the entire genre of contemporary folk (Lucy, Richard, Cheryl, Buddy, etc.) and to The Broward Folk Club, a community of performers, singer/songwriters, and active listeners (like myself) which I never before knew existed, and I found right in my own backyard.

I now consider myself immersed (and that's a good thing, Martha! ;-), as I've volunteered for our own South Florida Folk Festival, gone to the Folk Alliance in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and am preparing to spend the long Memorial Day weekend in Kerrville, Texas.

I have also driven across the state of Florida twice to see you - once in January 1998 to The Indigo Room in Ft. Myers (tiny bar, you and Stephanie, Ellis as the opening act), and again just this past February 1999 (Tampa, Cry Cry Cry, Centro Astureano - I was the one wearing the Lady Liberty/Mercury dime earrings, who gifted everyone with socks!).

My children (17, 14, and 10) know and enjoy your music, and I'm preparing a mix tape to give to my daughter upon going away to college in a few months - it will begin with The End of the Summer, end with Teenagers, Kick Our Butts, and have many other learning/growing "life" songs in the middle.

I could go on (and I usually do, as I'm known for never being able to do anything in 25-words-or-less... ;-), but I really want to thank you for "the language that keeps me alive" - my contribution to the radio station was my indirect present to you, as public radio is the vehicle that introduces, perpetuates and affords credibility to music outside the Top-40/pop/rap mainstream. My money will never begin to equal what you have presented, and continue to present me with, over the years: the gift of your music.

Thanks again, and best wishes to you on your special occasion – Happy Birthday, Dar! :)

Susan Moss

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From: Sharon Girlock

Hi Dar!
First off, I'd like to wish you a happy birthday, and a happy any other day you happen to fall into. Secondly, I caught your show in Harrisburg last month. It was the first time I saw you outside of Newport and it was amazing. I have a very short memory, so I took notes to remember it. I was also at the Cry, Cry, Cry concert in Collingswood. The three of you were completely excellent. I forgot to take notes this time, so I was the one who asked for a picture with you. Thanks for letting me indulge in my little "Ooohhh, I got a picture moment".

(subliminal message: play northeast pennsylvania)

Now, on to my point!

As my
Great Community Service Project of the World,
I have chosen to do
The Great Parking Lot Clean-Up of a Small Town Not Likely to be on Your Map.

The parking lot in question belongs to my church. Actually it's not my church, I have no followers or statues in my honor to fill it with, and I'd just feel strange being a deity... Anyway, I really have no affiliation with the place except for helping out with a weekly youth group. It's not that I believe in what they teach, I just think there is a lack of positive role models and mentors for these kids. So my friends tell them about Jesus and I just tell them to get along.

But enough with the after school special.

"Last night we drank in parking lots..." So you were the one! Well maybe not, but some fun loving bunch of partiers completely trashed the lot and the woods around it. This is a fairly regular occurrence due to our location, the end of a non-populated, poorly lit dead end.

My first idea was to have the youth group clean it up as a group project. Then we discovered the pornographic content of the garbage. Being the quick thinker I am, I suggested we just blindfold the kids and tell them to feel around in the grass until they find something sticky. The group coordinator didn't go for my idea. I wonder why.

Anyway, it got scratched as a youth group project. And as the adults in the church are a little too lazy to do anything themselves, it would normally remain there eternally. This is where I come in.

Now, to do something considerate and helpful for the church, I must go behind their backs. In addition to being unappreciative (they were extremely upset when I repainted their rusty unreadable sign that didn't even have the current information on it), they just don't like me. If they know I'm planning this, they will stop me or check up on me. It may have something to do with the last time they caught me playing Ani Difranco full volume while repainting the church office.

But anyway, to finish this already too long, somewhat pointless note... I'll be out there with my radio, my garbage bags and my many layers of gloves, scooping up cans and magazines and chairs and boxes, and pretending with all my heart that it really is Gatorade in those bottles. And I thank you for inspiring Sally Green to pull this together. Of course I fear that I may have a strange subconscious Dar Williams-illegal garbage dumping association now. Sorry. I'm sure it will go away. In a few years. Just kidding.

Sharon Girlock

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From: "Gail J. Cohen"

Dear Dar:

Responding to Sally's challenge to use your birthday as a catalyst to do something positive, I've given a donation to the gay and lesbian youthline here in Toronto. Two reasons behind that decision: the first being there being so many young people out there struggling with their sexuality, their identities, themselves and their families. This organization has young people helping others and it's often a life saver for young gay Canadians who find themselves without somewhere to turn. Secondly, your music, your words, your acceptance and your strength of spirit are the perfect backdrop for helping out this great organization.

Happy birthday and thanks for bringing joy to my life.

Gail J. Cohen
Toronto, Ontario

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From: Sally A Green

Happy Birthday, Dar!

In honor of your birthday, I volunteered for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, helping to set up and staff an informational table at Youth Pride in Dupont Circle, Washington, DC on April 17, 1999. For three years now your music has been an inspiration and you just keep getting better and better. I promise, no more brownies for a while. I hope you had a great birthday!

Sally Green
Takoma Park, Maryland

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