Even with Mayor Fenty’s re-organization plan of D.C. public schools, we all know they’re still struggling, and not just academically. That’s why DCist is organizing another team this year to participate in the annual Servathon, organized by Greater DC Cares and their sponsor Fannie Mae, which is focusing only on fixing up school facilities this year. The date to roll up your sleeves is May 3.

Last year, 27 DCist staff members and readers turned out to help paint the gym of Hine Junior High near Eastern Market or work on other projects scattered around D.C. under the Servathon umbrella. Our readers also raised over $3,000, blowing away our original goal of $2000, which went to help non-profits run throughout the year.

Starting today you can join Team DCist, and on May 3 we’ll head to a DCPS school — determined in a few weeks — to help with tasks such as painting classrooms, landscaping, painting games on the blacktop, etc. — anything to make our neighborhood schools better places to learn, work and play. There is a $20 registration fee per person that goes toward supplies, a t-shirt, water and snacks during the event. Team members are also encouraged to raise funds for the cause from family and friends. When we’ve turned in our paintbrushes and handed in our gardening tools, there’s even a free after-party with food and beverages, for those who’ve worked up a sweat.

We’re reaching mightily for $4,000 this year, so if you’re not able to join us on May 3, please consider donating a few bucks to our team to get us to our fundraising goal.

So head on over to Servathon and register Team DCist. If we get 25 people joined up March 16, we even get our team name emblazoned on our shirts for free — a DCist momento you’ll surely treasure forever.

Also, for those of you with the volunteer bug, this year’s Servathon incorporates other events — such as a Citizen Academy Forum, Board Leadership Program, Pro Bono Consulting and In-kind Donations — in the weeks leading up to and after the service day.