April 21st, 2026 by Bendure
National Harbor has more than 200 Okame trees along its 1.2 mile waterfront trail that visitors can come and experience while celebrating cherry blossom season with a full line up of events and activities for all ages to enjoy.
The annual Sakura Sunday festival, an official participating event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, is a free, family-friendly celebration that features cultural performances, culinary delights, a Sakura Spirits Garden, a Water Lantern Festival, a Japanese artisanal market, and more.
The Water Lantern Festival has expanded to three nights this year. The ticketed event brings families, friends, couples and individuals together for a meaningful evening experience that illuminates the waterfront with messages of hope, unity, and remembrance. Participants decorate lighted lanterns, which are released into an enclosed area, creating a peaceful and visually striking nighttime display.
Read More: National Harbor launches Cherry Blossom Events – Yahoo! News
April 21st, 2026 by Bendure
GO2 for Lung Cancer honored acclaimed actor and director Tony Goldwyn with its Rays of Hope Award for Excellence in Community Engagement and Awareness. President and CEO of GO2 for Lung Cancer, Laurie Ambrose, presented the award to Goldwyn for his work with the organization on national public service announcements during Lung Cancer Awareness Month. These PSAs effectively educated the public on the fact that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer and promoted GO2 as the resource. Goldwyn wished his mother had when she was diagnosed with lung cancer and succumbed to the disease.
April 21st, 2026 by Bendure
National Industries for the Blind employees Doug Goist and Charlie Mitchell never thought they would be able to play sports after losing their vision, let alone in a national competitive league. The Washington Blind Hockey Club gives them the opportunity to do just that.
Washingtonian Doug Goist lost his eyesight to a genetic disease at 30. After years as an avid ice hockey follower, he was recently approached about a Washington Blind Hockey League. Little did he know that he would quickly become the star goalie of the team.
The Washington Blind Hockey Club was founded to give those with little or no sight the ability to compete. With an adaptive puck that makes noise, a smaller net, and constant communication between teammates, players who are blind are able to play competitive hockey.
Goist and Mitchell also both work at the National Industries for the Blind (NIB). Goist works for NIB’s NSITE department, which specifically helps blind and visually impaired individuals gain employment. Goist explains “there’s nothing that you can’t do in an office and even outside the office, using different tools, to be able to continue life just like anybody else.”
Read More: Washington’s Blind Hockey Club transforms lives through sport | WUSA9.com
January 8th, 2026 by Bendure
“About one quarter of America’s 19 million military veterans live with a disability. Some vets who face physical or mental challenges rely on support from therapy dogs. But the animals can be hard to train and few are available. The nonprofit group “Hero Dogs” has helped more than a dozen veterans find the help they need.”
Read more: “Hero dogs” trained to help disabled vets – CBS News
January 8th, 2026 by Bendure
55 years ago, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) signed a deal to produce Skilcraft pens for the government. Ever since, NIB has been employing people who are blind and giving them opportunities they most likely would not have access to otherwise.
The unemployment rate for the blind and visually impaired is around 70%, according to the nonprofit group World Services for the Blind. NIB gives people who are blind the opportunity to build a career and provide for themselves and their families.
The Skilcraft pen has not changed in the last 55 years and is used by government workers from post offices to combat front lines. This one product paved the way for the introduction of dozens of new Skilcraft products in the following decades, creating hundreds of new jobs for people who are blind.
Read more: How a signature pen has been changing lives for 5 decades – CBS News
September 4th, 2025 by Bendure
Mackenzie Brown has been horseback riding since she was 12 years old. However, her journey to get to that point was far from easy.
Mackenzie was born five weeks prematurely and suffered a stroke in the NICU. Doctors told her mother she would never walk or talk, and although she eventually proved them wrong, Mackenzie faced bullying all throughout her childhood. However, when she began therapeutic horseback riding at age 12, she took on a new confidence that changed her life.
Despite all the challenges Mackenzie faced, she continued to pursue her love of horseback riding. She was invited to represent the U.S. Para Dressage and perform at the 2025 Upperville Colt & Horse Show, which was a monumental moment in her riding career and her life.
Read More: Rider overcomes extraordinary challenges to shine at Virginia horse show | wusa9.com
November 19th, 2021 by Bendure
Thank you Town & Country for featuring the 84th running of the International Gold Cup on October 23, 2021. One of the largest steeplechases in the country, this year the race was held with limited spectators.
Digital contributor, Sam Dangremond, joined us for a day at the races – click here to read the full article, and to see some of the best scenes from the day.
January 27th, 2021 by Bendure
Thank you People magazine for featuring Volunteers of America and the Freedom House, which helps pregnant women and moms stay with their kids while recovering from addiction.
Click here for Brittany Edwards and Christina Compton’s story on how the Freedom House and Volunteers of America helped them on their journey to recovery.
January 17th, 2018 by Bendure
How should an allowance be spent?
Krell suggests urging young children to earmark a third of their money for savings, a third for spending and a third for sharing or charity. “As kids grow into their teen years,” he says, “they can also learn how their savings accounts get a boost by calculating compound interest.”
December 13th, 2017 by Bendure
The Haven, a 248-unit condominium building going up at National Harbor.