A motley crew of volunteers gave downtown Bethesda's regional center a makeover Saturday, during a community service day that put kids and grown-ups back in touch with their inner artists.

The event, part of a county-wide day of service, spruced up the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center just in time for an initiative that will transform the center into a hub of activity for seniors.

Saturday's mission was also to make posters for a local women's group that collects Halloween candy for overseas soldiers.

The center, located on Edgemoor Lane, has several rooms where local committee meetings and exercise classes take place. This month, the center has been preparing to welcome a new program that will promote healthy minds and bodies among the area's older residents.

"We had to get the space ready for OASIS and Suburban Hospital," said Ken Hartman, director of the center. OASIS is a national educational organization for seniors that is co-sponsored in Montgomery County by Suburban and the Macy's Foundation. A plan is in the works for some programs to be held at the Regional Services Center.
To accomplish two things at once, and save money, the center bought painting supplies through the county and gave the job to Saturday's volunteers.

"I think the community service day is just great," said Sally Kaplan of Bethesda. "It's an opportunity [for parents] to get their kids involved."

Kaplan set up shop in the hallway, where she and a few other volunteers were applying blue painter's tape. Behind them was a group of teens using white paint to brighten up the walls of one of the center's rooms.
Earlier in the day, four volunteers assembled 50 welcome packets. The packets, which include brochures, maps, and emergency info, will be given to new locals.
In another room, the local group Mover Moms hosted a poster-making party.

Elementary and middle-school kids made mini-billboards that Mover Moms will use to advertise candy drop-off locations in the county after Halloween. The candy will be packed in stockings and sent to troops; last year, they sent about 11,000 stockings overseas.
This year, volunteers made 30 to 35 posters -- decorated with pumpkins, zombies, vampires, and camouflage letters -- for the effort.
The project was ideal for a community service day, because it can be done "rain or shine," said Meena Chandrasekhar of Potomac.

Chandrasekhar and other adults picked up crayons and markers to join the kids in poster artistry.
"My kids won't believe it [that I was] making posters with a magic marker," said Virginia Miller, member of the Western Montgomery County Citizens Advisory Board and a Bethesda resident.