Monday, Jan. 27, 2020
“MLK Weekend of Service is an incredible opportunity for people to come together to honor Dr. King’s legacy,” says Cindy Adams, President and CEO of United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. “With this event, community members continued striving for the changes Dr. King championed – including ending poverty and advancing racial equity – and made a real impact for tens of thousands of children and families.”
That collective impact was felt during the 13th Annual MLK Weekend of Service, as more than 1,200 volunteers joined United Way for a day “on” in tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Organized by United Way’s volunteer program, Hands On Greater Portland, the weekend embodies Dr. King’s vision of “everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.”
Families weeding and caring for the Native Gathering Garden at Cully Park (photo by Megan Zabel Holmes for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
Volunteers braved the rain to spruce up the Buckman Community Garden (photo by Kyla Yeoman for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
Regence employees sorting clothes for women in need at Dress for Success
Intel employees and their kids packaging garbanzo beans at Oregon Food Bank in Beaverton (photo by Megan Zabel Holmes for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
United Way Board Members and staff sorting books at Schoolhouse Supplies (photo by Megan Zabel Holmes for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
L-R: Jason Green (UWCW Board Member), Cindy Adams (UWCW CEO and President), Mark Poling (UWCW Board Member) at Schoolhouse Supplies (photo by Megan Zabel Holmes for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
The weather, it turned out, was no match for our volunteers’ dedication. From snow flurries Friday morning to the relentless drizzle on Saturday and everything in between, volunteers showed up each day to lend a hand at over 60 nonprofit projects across the metro region.
“I had a wonderful time volunteering with my wife Jenny at Schoolhouse Supplies," says Mark Poling, a Board Member with United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. "I am proud of how United Way, through this event, continues to honor Dr. King’s legacy by connecting volunteers to projects creating impact in our community.”
Throughout the weekend volunteers helped provide food for hungry families by packaging apples and onions as well as sprucing up garden beds at SnowCap. Bundled against the chilly wind at Cully Park, volunteers helped weed and winterize the Native Gathering Garden, a space for communities to honor Indigenous cultural practices and values. From reading books to elementary school kids to cleaning up libraries and MLK Boulevard, by the end of MLK weekend volunteers of all ages collectively contributed over 3,500 hours of service, providing over $90,000 in service value to our region.
Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon returned once again as the presenting sponsor of MLK Weekend of Service. In addition to Regence, several other local businesses played a significant role in the weekend’s success, not only sponsoring events but also encouraging their employees to volunteer.
By the end of MLK weekend volunteers of all ages collectively contributed over 3,500 hours of service, providing over $90,000 in service value to our region.
Umpqua Bank employees reading to kids at VOSE Elementary (photo by Megan Zabel Holmes for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
Intel employees sprucing up the Hillsboro Shute Park Public Library (photo by Megan Zabel Holmes for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
Volunteers of all ages packaging food for families in need at SnowCap Community Garden (photo by Megan Zabel Holmes for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
Volunteers winterizing garden beds at SnowCap Community Garden on MLK Day (photo by Megan Zabel Holmes for United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
Several hundred volunteers arrived at Irving Park ready to pick up litter along MLK Boulevard with SOLVE
Nike employees pitched in with SOLVE to beautify MLK Boulevard
“Dr. King’s legacy of service continues to inspire and remind Oregonians that we all have a role to play in bettering the health of our communities,” says Angela Dowling, President of Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon. “Regence and our employees are proud to celebrate our fifth year partnering with United Way in support of this mission.”
This year’s event also kicked off United Way’s centennial celebration. Since 1920 your local United Way has been bringing the community together to do good. In addition to honoring Dr. King’s legacy, this MLK Weekend we celebrated United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s historic role in strengthening schools, families and communities across the region.
Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves and volunteered this MLK weekend!
Inspired to give back to your community? Our volunteer program, Hands On Greater Portland, can connect you to volunteer projects all year round. Find your next volunteer project today.
Thank you to our 13th Annual MLK Weekend of Service Sponsors
