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Local Volunteers Lift Spirits During Holiday Season

A quarterly AmazonSmile notification to informed shoppers that the Oregon Food Bank (seen above before the pandemic) recently received a donation of $1,752.15, at no cost to them.

Portland, OR. This holiday season has been a busy one for local nonprofits with thousands of volunteers handing out gifts and making spirits bright for less fortunate members of the community.

Here are some of the heartwarming sights spotted around town:

Oregon food Bank volunteers were busy and Nike was honored as the Corporate Donor of the Month for December.

Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division distributed nearly 500,000 pounds of food to families, seniors, and veterans in need, the most in its 95-year history.

The Sunshine Division offers free food and clothing assistance for qualifying Portlanders at its on-site food pantry and clothing room and through its food box programs and no-cost food bank.

The Portland Police Bureau Sunshine Division was started by Captain H. A. Circle in 1923. His thought was that no one should ever have to commit a crime to provide food for their family.

Over 100 Portland’5 volunteers donated over 200 stuffed animals. They were donated to Clackamas County Victim Association to be given out all year long.

Youth Villages was supporting kids and families this holiday season.

Volunteers were working overtime to make sure the holidays are special for youth and families from Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area

Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area had their gifts delivered by Santa.

A sleigh full of surprises was delivered to children at Bridge Meadows this week thanks to Wells Fargo.

Portland Rescue Mission is serving up hundreds of holiday meals.

If you’re interested in volunteering this holiday season, or right on into the new year, there are lots of opportunities. Nonprofits across the Greater Portland area are looking for volunteers like you to brighten the day by lending a hand.

Hands on Greater Portland has lots of great ideas:

► HAVE A FEW HOURS?

Check out our Project Calendar to find a variety of “done-in-a-day” volunteer opportunities.

Look for *Hands On* in the title to find projects managed by us. You can sign up in two clicks to join a group of volunteers on a 2-4 hour project, lead by a trained volunteer leader; no experience or ongoing commitment required!
Look for “Bulletin Board” listings to find projects managed directly by our many wonderful nonprofit partners. Contact information is provided for you to connect directly with the nonprofit volunteer coordinator.

► DEEPEN YOUR IMPACT…

Search all of our volunteer opportunities to find longer-term or skills-based opportunities with our 300+ non-profit partners. You can hone your search by keyword, zipcode, availability and more! In the search results, look for opportunities with the time listed as “Open” to find opportunities that could use your help for more than a single shift.

CLICK HERE for a link to the Hands on Portland website. Whether you are working, parenting, in school or retired, Hands On Greater Portland offers you a variety of ways to get involved while meeting your schedule and interests. Volunteer for a one-time project. Volunteer for a few weeks. Volunteer after work or on the weekends. Volunteer alone, with family, friends or co-workers.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.