Cares Day to give volunteers a memorable way to help!

Sam’s site is a local elementary school, where volunteers will clean, paint and landscape. Hands On is partnering with Portland Public Schools to organize volunteer projects at four schools during Cares Day. Other project sites include local nonprofit organizations.

“I’m excited to know that the students are going to walk in Monday morning and be completely amazed at how great their school looks,” Sam says. “Hopefully, it will give them a sense that there are people in their community who care about them.”

You can join Sam on Saturday by volunteering at Ockley Green School.  Volunteers will paint the interior of the building, giving the North Portland K-8 school its first fresh coat in a decade. Sign up is easy. The project runs from 9 am to 1 pm. All volunteers receive an event T-shirt, all required tools and a well-organized, memorable experience.  Volunteers are also invited to join Comcast and Hands On for lunch, catered by Outback Steakhouse.

Comcast and Hands On are teaming up on Cares Day for the fourth year in a row.  Comcast alone will mobilize 400 employee volunteers on Saturday, among the largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts in the region.

Other companies sponsoring Cares Day include Northwest Natural, Adidas, Con-way, Health Net, Liberty Northwest, Portland General Electric, Sherwin Williams, The Standard.  Additional support is provided by CBS Radio Portland, The ODS Companies, Portland Tribune and Safeco Insurance.

Support from Comcast and the event’s other sponsors gives volunteers like Sam a way to help out. 

“I love Portland and it makes me feel good that I am trying to improve it,” she says. “I want to take a pro-active role in improving my community, and volunteering helps me do that.’

Sam finds that volunteering gives her a sense of connection to the community and a way to contribute to it.  “Since I just got out of school and am supporting myself for the first time, I don't have a lot of extra money to give but I do have time. And donating your time is just as important as donating money, maybe even more so,” Sam said.

On Saturday, Sam looks forward to seeing a sea of volunteers joining together to support children who they probably will never meet. What would she say to someone who is considering joining her?

"I would tell them that if they are looking for a great way to spend their Saturday afternoon I’ve got the perfect activity,” she explains. “I’d tell them that it isn't just volunteering and being active in your community, but great fun as well. It is so rewarding in many different ways – it’s an opportunity to meet new people, take part in a high energy fun activity, and you get a great sense of accomplishment at the end.”

What are you looking forward to on Saturday?

I am looking forward to seeing all the people that are going to be there - because I know there will be so many. I’m also really looking forward to the fact that the students of Grout School are going to walk in Monday morning and be completely amazed at how great their school looks. Hopefully it will give them a sense that there are people in their community that care about them.

If you were going to ask someone to join you on Saturday, what would you say to them?

“I love Portland and it makes me feel good that I am trying to improve it,” she says. “I want to take a pro-active role in improving my community, and volunteering helps me do that.’

Sam finds that volunteering gives her a sense of connection to the community and a way to contribute to it.  “Since I just got out of school and am supporting myself for the first time, I don't have a lot of extra money to give but I do have time. And donating your time is just as important as donating money, maybe even more so,” Sam said.

On Saturday, Sam looks forward to seeing a sea of volunteers joining together to support children who they probably will never meet. What would she say to someone who is considering joining her?

“I would tell them that if they are looking for a great way to spend their Saturday afternoon I’ve got the perfect activity,” she explains. “I’d tell them that it isn't just volunteering and being active in your community, but great fun as well. It is so rewarding in many different ways – it’s an opportunity to meet new people, take part in a high energy fun activity, and you get a great sense of accomplishment at the end.”

Anything else you would like to add?

I just have to say that I think Hands On is a wonderful organization. It makes it so easy for people to get involved in a way and on the level they feel comfortable with. That is so important. I have had so fun working with you guys and hope to continue to do so for a long time.

To find out more about how to sign up, contact Katie Liermann, Operations Manager at (503) 413-7787 or email.