Initiative will promote, encourage, celebrate volunteerism
Brian Coddington, Communications Director, 509.625.6740
Monday, March 17, 2014 at 12:40 p.m.
Spokane Mayor David Condon launched Spokane Gives today, a new initiative today to promote, encourage and celebrate volunteerism in Spokane.
Spokane Gives is a weeklong, communitywide initiative that will shine the light on the work already being done in Spokane, inspire others to get involved and promote volunteerism year-round. It will run from April 12-19. Spokane County United Way and the Empire Health Foundation are partnering sponsors along with the City of Spokane. Windermere Real Estate and Spokane Teachers Credit Union have joined as corporate partners.
“Establishing a coordinated network of volunteer opportunities is the starting point to making Spokane the most compassionate city,” Condon said. “A single act can make a collective difference. Spokane is counting on its neighbors to make a difference.”
SpokaneGives.org, the initiative website, has been loaded with several opportunities for people to sign up and get involved. Individuals, groups and organizations can also register their events on the site. Volunteers are asked to log onto the site during the week so they can be tallied.
“Volunteers are an important part of the fabric of this community,” said Tim Henkel, president and CEO of Spokane County United Way. “Spokane counts on them today and every day.”
Cleaning From the Core will kick off Spokane Gives week on April 12 at 8 a.m. As many as 400 volunteers will sweep downtown sidewalks, clear debris from flower beds to prep them for planting, pick up garbage, cover graffiti and get the city ready to host the upcoming festivals, events and activities. Volunteers who register on SpokaneGives.org by April 7 will receive a free t-shirt. A lunch celebration is planned during the last hour of the event, which concludes at noon.
“Everyone can make a difference,” said Antony Chiang, president of the Empire Health Foundation. “Big things start with the smallest acts of compassion, generosity and kindness.”
Visit SpokaneGives.org for more information about the week and opportunities to get involved.
