Friday, Oct. 11, 2024
Another year of impact in the books. This year's Community Impact Week has wrapped and we have so much to share about the many nonprofit partners we were able to assist, the myriad of volunteers with fascinating stories and cares, and the innumerable hours of work we were able to give back to our community. This amazing week of volunteerism is a highlight for many at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, allowing us to further engage with and build community across Clark, Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties. Check out some of the project highlights below and the many pictures of do-gooders doing good!
"We are grateful for all the members of the community who come out and support local kids. And our years of support from United Way's Hands On Greater Portland and the hundreds of volunteers they've brought through our doors."
Alice Forbes, Executive Director of Schoolhouse Supplies
Tryon Creek
This year we had a new partner in Friends of Tryon Creek. We mobilized a large group of volunteers to go out to this urban forest haven and pull down some not-so-friendly ivy! This was dirty work, but oh so rewarding to see the forest transform and know that we all had a part in helping this beautiful place thrive. A special thanks to Columbia Distributing for sponsoring Community Impact Week and bringing a big group of volunteers from across the state of Oregon!
"I feel gratitude for a lot of things in my life, but first and foremost, the gifts that Mother Earth gives me and everyone else. Just constant gratitude for the trees and the air that we get to breathe. In my work life, I'm very grateful for all the volunteers that the help give back to Mother Earth and have that reciprocal relationship, as well as United Way for helping us get people out here to volunteer."
Nanda Ramos, Restoration Program Coordinator at Friends of Tryon Creek
IRCO New Beginnings Market
The New Beginnings Market is IRCO's no-cost, one-stop-shop for refugee families who have recently been placed in our community. The Market offers a wide variety of clothing items, furniture, kitchenware, decorative pieces, personal care supplies, and much more, free of charge to families who visit it. But with all that on offer, a lot of organizing and inventory is needed. We brought a huge group of volunteers to the Market to help with just that. Over the course of a few hours we were able to transform the space and get accurate counts of what IRCO had to offer.
"Today I'm feeling very grateful for you guys, United Way! Thanks for coming here to help us at the New Beginnings Market. This would have taken us a long time to organize donations, rearrange all these items and taking inventory. This volunteer group just freed up about two weeks of work for us, so we're very grateful to have you all here today!"
Mario Torres, IRCO
PDX Books Through Bars
PDX Books Through Bars mails literature and educational books to adults in custody nationwide. They offer care, support and love to those in our country that are oftentimes forgotten. This project is a special one to us at United Way, and offers one of the most engaging, emotional and impactful volunteer experiences. Volunteers are able to open letters from prisoners across the nation and read their requests for books, then seek out a fitting book in Books Through Bars' library! We package them up and send them out then! A special thanks to Deloitte for sponsoring Community Impact week and bringing a pack of do-gooders to this event!
"I'm grateful for connecting with United Way and having all these volunteer opportunities that are organized by them to get involved in my community in ways that I wouldn't have known about otherwise, but very inspiring and connect me back to my city."
Kelsey Miller, Volunteer at Clackamas Service Center
Transition Projects
This is the second year we've partnered with Transition Projects for Community Impact week and we had a great time yet again! Volunteers were asked to bring a basic food item that could be packaged and prepared for sack lunches that homeless individuals could take with them. The event was held in one of Transition Projects' shelters, and volunteers had the chance to learn a lot about the work this nonprofit does to address one of our region's most pressing issues. And for the artsy crowd, there was bag decorating! Take a look at some of the fun photos!
"Well, I am very grateful for being a part of a very strong, resilient community of people who are willing to give back. Being part of the Clackamas Service Center we give to the community and the community gives back to us. And it's a lot of this reciprocal relationship. It's a very tight, close relationship that we have with our members who give back, and we love giving to those in need. So it's just a very it's a positive environment, and I love that it's here in Clackamas."
Kate Plymale, Volunteer Coordinator at Clackamas Service Center