826DC and the Joy of Storytelling
At the 2026 Give Local Gala, Spur Local nonprofit partner 826DC engaged the audience in a lively example of how they take their students on imaginative journeys. Their work is about ensuring that all young people have the fundamental skill, the power, and the joy of writing to share their stories and minds with the world.
One of their programs, Storytelling Field Trips, brings a whole class of students to their whimsical writing lab in Columbia Heights for a storytelling workshop where they collaboratively create the core elements of a story: two characters, a setting, a plot, dialogue, and rising conflict.
Then, each student sits down to write their own ending. 826DC has an illustrator bring these stories to life, delivering a bound published book to each student.
During the evening, 826DC’s team of student leaders and staff led the audience through creating their own collaborative story! Together, we created two characters. Their editors, writers, and illustrator took it from there. We are excited to share the story that emerged from our imaginative journey below.
Photo by Fleur Louise Photography
Our Give Local Gala Story
It was a warm night at Howard Theatre; the sun was just winding down and the energy in the air was energetic. Marvin, a panda unicorn, was excited for his first-ever concert. His favorite artist was performing for the first time in years. Marvin was also hoping he could potentially make some new friends, and in fact was confident that he would be the life of the party and everyone would love him. While Marvin waited in line to get checked in, he noticed a very small man standing in front of him eating a churro. Marvin loved churros! This was his chance to make a friend, he just knew it.
“Hey there,” Marvin said, tapping the man on the shoulder, “that looks like a great churro! I know the best brunch spot that has a dessert bar with the most amazing churros you’ll ever eat!”
The man slowly turned, and when they see Marvin, their eyes widened and they began to tremble.
“Whoah there! Are you ok?” Marvin asked, alarmed.
“A… A… A… Ppppa-papandaaaa?” the man stuttered through this question, looking terrified.
“Uhhh, kinda,” Marvin responded. “I’m Marvin, half-unicorn, half-panda. What’s your name?”
“Chh… Cch… Chuck,” the man spat out, still standing frozen.
Before Marvin could respond, the man turned back around abruptly. Marvin was confused and absolutely hated rejection, so he tapped him on the shoulder again.
“Ummm, Chuck, that was a little rude, but I’ll let it slide since you clearly have never seen a panda unicorn before. But trust me, I am absolutely wonderful. You would be lucky to get to know me,” Marvin said with a playful wink and a smile.
“Lucky? Yea right, lucky that you haven’t tried to eat me yet,” Chuck mumbled under his breath without turning back around.
Marvin was stunned. He had never been rejected two times in one conversation before and was starting to get a little peeved.
“Hey! That was unnecessary. I’ll have you know I have never eaten a human before. You all are way too bony!” Marvin shouted.
“Yea that’s probably what all predators say before they attack! I would never trust a bear like you!” Chuck said, now glaring daggers over his shoulder.
Marvin gasped, as he had never been spoken to like this before. “What’s your problem man? I was just trying to be friendly!”
“Well, who said I wanted to be friends?” Chuck said, turning his back on Marvin once again.
This was Marvin’s last straw! To be rejected for a third time was unacceptable and just plain rude. In his anger, Marvin began to see red. He grabbed one of the small balls he keeps on hand–just in case someone wants to see him juggle–and threw it at the back of Chuck’s head.
“Owwww!” Chuck shouted, clutching the back of his head.
And now… The ending is up to you!
Learn more about 826DC here.