PDX Parent is excited to announce our very first PDX Parent Cares family-friendly volunteering weekend.
Join us this Inauguration Day weekend for a family-driven movement of giving back, healing, and empowerment. This event is a continuation of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, because volunteering isn’t a one-day event: It’s a life-long commitment.
We’ve partnered with over a dozen local organizations to bring you volunteer projects appropriate for the littlest of little ones all the way up to teens. You can find opportunities for beautifying parks and forests, creating art, spreading love, and just generally making a difference.
Let’s do this, Portland.
Friday, January 20
Arbor Lodge Neighborhood Association, in collaboration with Harper’s Playground. They work jointly to keep the park and playground pesticide and herbicide free. Harper’s Playground is the largest of only three pesticide/herbicide free parks out of 252 in all of Portland – all thanks to volunteers. Harper’s Playground is the only inclusive playground in the city, and it works to support vibrant communities by building inclusive playgrounds. These pubic park assets provide a space in which people of all ages and abilities feel welcomed and appreciated and where they can connect to play together
DATE/TIME: January 20, 9-11 am
AGES: All ages.
DESCRIPTION: Help beautify the playground and park by weeding, spreading mulch, and maybe even planting some spring bulbs if the weather cooperates. End the morning with a group slide. Coffee, cocoa and light snacks will be provided.
LOCATION: Harper’s Playground, at Arbor Lodge
REGISTER: Click here. Capped at 35.
Northwest Children’s Outreach. NCO is a nonprofit that reaches out to children aged birth through 18, who through no fault of their own, are going without the most basic things they need: diapers, clothing, shoes, formula, blankets, and toys, are just a few of the items that are needed to help these children. With the support of many loving volunteers, Northwest Children’s Outreach supplies these items to these very vulnerable children.
DATE/TIME: Friday, January 20, 11 am – 1 pm (drop in any time within your slot, but please plan to stay for at least an hour)
AGES: Recommended for ages 4 and up. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
DESCRIPTION: Volunteers will be going through donations received, and carefully checking for usable items, which are then organized by gender and size for the children.
LOCATION: 335 NE 18th Ave. (In the alley half a block north of Sandy Blvd.)
REGISTER: Click here. Capped at 30.
Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks. The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals houses a world-class collection recognized as the finest in the Pacific Northwest and one of the best in the nation. Located just west of Portland, Oregon in Hillsboro, the museum showcases not only fine rocks and minerals, but also fossils, meteorites, lapidary art, and gemstones from both the Pacific Northwest and all around the world.
DATE/TIME: Friday, January 20, 9 am – 1 pm
AGES: 6+
DESCRIPTION: Activities will include picking up rocks to replenish the rock pile or throwing unusable materials in the dumpster, plucking weeds from the rock garden and, if the weather is too bad to be outside, polishing windows in the main building. Dress warmly for all outdoor tasks and bring gloves. Wear clothes that you would wear hiking or camping in the winter. Layering would be good if we migrate indoors.
REGISTER: To sign up or for additional information, email Linda Harvey at linda@ricenorthwestmuseum.org. Capped at 15 volunteers.
Meals on Wheels People. Meals on Wheels People enriches the lives of seniors, and assists them in maintaining independence, by providing nutritious food, human connections and social support. They also use their expertise and capacity to serve other nutritionally at-risk populations.
DATE/TIME: Friday, January 20, 9:30 – 11 am. LIMITED SPOTS REMAIN
AGES: All ages are welcome for decorating place mats, birthday cards and holiday decorations. Ages 7 and up for kitchen support.
DESCRIPTION: You and your family can choose between decorating place mats, birthday cards and holiday decorations (all ages), or helping out in the kitchen with food packaging. (If you choose to volunteer in the kitchen, you must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes.)
LOCATION: Central Kitchen, 7710 SW 31st Ave, Portland
REGISTER: Click here. Capped at 25.
Children’s Healing Art Project (CHAP). CHAP brings the healing power of art to children and families facing medical challenges through in- and out-of-hospital art programs.
DATE/TIME: Friday, January 20, 10 am – 12 pm. THIS EVENT IS FILLED.
AGES: All ages.
DESCRIPTION: Choose to work on hospital production projects or a CHAP volunteer appreciation project.
LOCATION: CHAP Sellwood Studio, 8065 SE Grand Ave., Portland OR
REGISTER: 20 max. Register here.
SCRAP. SCRAP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to inspire creative reuse and environmentally sustainable behavior by providing educational programs and affordable materials to the community.
DATE/TIME: Friday, January 20, 12-2 or 2-4.
AGES: 4 and up. Must be accompanied by an adult.
DESCRIPTION: Volunteer at SCRAP and help sort a variety of bits and scraps such as buttons, beads, papers, markets and crayons.
LOCATION: SCRAP, 1736 SW Alder St.
REGISTER: Click here. Max of 25 per time slot.
Store to Door. Store to Door supports independent living for Portland-area seniors and people with disabilities by providing an affordable, personal, volunteer-based grocery shopping and delivery service.
DATE/TIME: Friday, January 20, 3-5 pm. Drop in any time. Kiwi Cupcake performs at 4!
AGES: All ages.
DESCRIPTION: Do you like working with your hands and being creative? Come help make birthday cards for Store to Door clients to help brighten their day.
LOCATION: Know Thy Food, 3434 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland.
REGISTER: Please pre-register here so we know how many supplies to have on hand.
Many thanks to Know Thy Food/Warehouse Cafe for donating space for this volunteer event. Know Thy Food Cooperative’s mission is to serve the needs of the local community by providing healthy, fairly priced, and locally sourced food in a welcoming, friendly setting where friends, families and neighbors can shop and gather. They operate a cafe, market, and online marketplace that connects local farmers and producers with eaters.
With Love,. With Love, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that supports young foster children ages 0 to 5 and their foster families in the Portland-metropolitan area. We provide resources and high-quality items to these families at no-cost. With Love, is founded on the ideals that foster children and foster families succeed when they are encouraged with love and honor, and provided with the necessary items to create a nurturing and healthy environment for those in need.
DATE/TIME: Friday, January 20, 4-6 pm. THIS EVENT IS FILLED
AGES: It is recommended that children be at least 5 years old, or able to read when volunteering.
DESCRIPTION: Volunteer activities will include sorting and inspecting donations, sorting clothing into appropriate clothing bins, and preparing bundles of clothing to go out.
LOCATION:8178 SW Durham Rd., Tigard OR 97224
REGISTER: Please click here. 15 max.
The CRAFT Factory. The Craft Factory is a locally-owned drop-in craft studio and birthday party specialist located in the heart of Multnomah Village in SW Portland. Using recycled and repurposed pieces is a big part of The Craft Factory’s mission: to inspire and teach children to be creative with what they have, to give back to the world, and to find beauty in all things. Simply drop in to The Craft Factory any time the creativity bug hits–no reservations necessary.
DATE/TIME: Friday, January 20, 5:30-6:30 pm ; 6:30-7:30 pm; 7:30-8:30 pm. LIMITED SPACE REMAINS.
AGES: All ages welcome.
DESCRIPTION: Craft a message of love for all of Oregon! Using The Craft Factory wooden Oregon base, choose from unlimited recycled materials and craft supplies to create your message of love. Use the back to write something inspirational, and you get to choose where your message goes: pass it on to a friend, share it with your school, display it in your home, have a shop put it in its window. Let’s rally around #lovenothate in the great state of Oregon.
LOCATION: 7832 SW Capitol Hwy, Suite B, Portland
REGISTER: Click here. 30 max per hour.
Saturday, January 21
Friends of Trees. Friends of Trees‘ mission is to bring people together to plant and care for city trees and green spaces. We strive to make the health, environmental, and financial benefits of trees accessible to everyone!
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 21, 8:45 am – 1 pm
AGES: All ages are welcome, but ages 6 and up are recommended.
DESCRIPTION: Volunteers are needed to plant trees, no experience needed! Gloves, tools and planting guidance provided, as well as breakfast treats and hot coffee/tea. Please come dressed for the weather and wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots and get ready to have fun!
LOCATIONS:
Barrows Meadow (Beaverton, map);
Columbia Children’s Arboretum (NE Portland, map);
Errol Heights (SE Portland, see Johnson Creek Watershed Council opportunity below)
REGISTER: For groups of 5 people, please register via the Group Volunteer Form. Individuals and groups fewer than 5 people do no need to register in advance – you may simply show up!
Johnson Creek Watershed Council. The Johnson Creek Watershed Council’s mission is promote restoration and stewardship of a healthy Johnson Creek Watershed through sound science and community engagement.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 21, 8:45 am – 1 pm
AGES: All ages are welcome, but ages 6 and up are recommended.
DESCRIPTION: Volunteers are needed to plant trees, no experience needed! Gloves, tools and planting guidance provided, as well as breakfast treats and hot coffee/tea. Please come dressed for the weather and wearing sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots and get ready to have fun! This event is in conjunction with Friends of Trees. For more opportunities with Friends of Trees, see the entry directly above.
LOCATION: Errol Heights (SE Portland, map)
REGISTER:RSVP for your group, or just yourself, by emailing courtney@jcwc.org.
Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks. The Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals houses a world-class collection recognized as the finest in the Pacific Northwest and one of the best in the nation. Located just west of Portland, Oregon in Hillsboro, the museum showcases not only fine rocks and minerals, but also fossils, meteorites, lapidary art, and gemstones from both the Pacific Northwest and all around the world.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 21, 9 am – 1 pm
AGES: 6+
DESCRIPTION: Activities will include picking up rocks to replenish the rock pile or throwing unusable materials in the dumpster, plucking weeds from the rock garden and, if the weather is too bad to be outside, polishing windows in the main building. Dress warmly for all outdoor tasks and bring gloves. Wear clothes that you would wear hiking or camping in the winter. Layering would be good if we migrate indoors.
REGISTER: To sign up or for additional information, email Linda Harvey at linda@ricenorthwestmuseum.org. Capped at 15 volunteers.
Store to Door. Store to Door supports independent living for Portland-area seniors and people with disabilities by providing an affordable, personal, volunteer-based grocery shopping and delivery service.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 21, 9 am – 1 pm. Drop in any time.
AGES: All ages.
DESCRIPTION: Do you like working with your hands and being creative? Come help make birthday cards for Store to Door clients to help brighten their day.
LOCATION: Know Thy Food, 3434 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland.
REGISTER: Please pre-register here so we know how many supplies to have on hand.
Many thanks to Know Thy Food/Warehouse Cafe for donating space for this volunteer event. Know Thy Food Cooperative’s mission is to serve the needs of the local community by providing healthy, fairly priced, and locally sourced food in a welcoming, friendly setting where friends, families and neighbors can shop and gather. They operate a cafe, market, and online marketplace that connects local farmers and producers with eaters.
SOLVE. SOLVE is a state-wide non-profit organization that takes action every day to keep Oregon clean and green. They mobilize over 35,000 volunteers and organize over 1000 clean-up and restoration projects throughout the state.
DATE/TIME: January 21, 9 am – 12 pm
AGES: No minimum age, but supervision is required for children under 14
DESCRIPTION: Drop in for a regular No Ivy League freelance work party to become a steward of Forest Park. Volunteers will take a short hike to one of SOLVE’s sites to work off-trail removing English ivy. This is a dirty job, so come prepared in grubby, long-sleeved clothing and boots. SOLVE will provide gloves, tools, and snacks.
LOCATION: Meet at Lower Macleay Field House, 2960 NW Upshur St.
REGISTER: 30 people max. Register through this link.
Northwest Children’s Outreach. NCO is a nonprofit that reaches out to children aged birth through 18, who through no fault of their own, are going without the most basic things they need: diapers, clothing, shoes, formula, blankets, and toys, are just a few of the items that are needed to help these children. With the support of many loving volunteers, Northwest Children’s Outreach supplies these items to these very vulnerable children.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 21, 9 am-11 am or 11 am – 1 pm (drop in any time within your slot, but please plan to stay for at least an hour)
AGES: Recommended for ages 4 and up. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
DESCRIPTION: Volunteers will be going through donations received, and carefully checking for usable items, which are then organized by gender and size for the children.
LOCATION: 335 NE 18th Ave. (In the alley half a block north of Sandy Blvd.)
REGISTER: Click here. Capped at 30.
With Love,. With Love, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that supports young foster children ages 0 to 5 and their foster families in the Portland-metropolitan area. We provide resources and high-quality items to these families at no-cost. With Love, is founded on the ideals that foster children and foster families succeed when they are encouraged with love and honor, and provided with the necessary items to create a nurturing and healthy environment for those in need.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 21, 10 am – 12 pm. LIMITED SPOTS REMAIN
AGES: It is recommended that children be at least 5 years old, or able to read when volunteering.
DESCRIPTION: Volunteer activities will include sorting and inspecting donations, sorting clothing into appropriate clothing bins, and preparing bundles of clothing to go out.
LOCATION:8178 SW Durham Rd., Tigard OR 97224
REGISTER: Please click here. 15 max.
Oregon Food Bank. Oregon Food Bank collects food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources and distribute that food throughout Oregon and Clark County, Washington.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 21, 1-3:30 pm. THIS OPPORTUNITY IS FILLED
AGES: 6 and up
DESCRIPTION: Repack and label bulk dry food in a lively, active environment! You’ll be repacking foods like rice, pasta, apples or potatoes into family-sized packages, either working at tables or around bins.
LOCATION: 7900 NE 33rd Dr., Portland OR
REGISTER: Click here. Capped at 15.
DATE/TIME: Saturday, January 21, 1:30-3:30 pm THIS OPPORTUNITY IS FILLED.
AGES: Approx. ages 3 to 12.
DESCRIPTION: Join in on a printmaking class for parents and kids to make cards to attach to Meals on Wheels meals for the elderly. Learn simple print making techniques while creating cards for the community.
LOCATION: Vibe at TaborSpace, 5441 SE Belmont St., Portland OR
REGISTER: This opportunity is filled!
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