The day of volunteering began with a kickoff rally. But by afternoon, volunteers in a bicycle workshop were the ones having a kick.
As part of Friday’s 12th annual United Way of Snohomish County’s Day of Caring, three Everett-based organizations joined together at a downtown Everett warehouse.
Sharing Wheels collaborated with Christmas House for this project, which was largely staffed by members of the Youth Connection AmeriCorps Program, one of the AmeriCorps network of national service programs. Students from Aces Alternative High School in Everett also participated.
More than 23 bikes – which will be delivered to low-income riders for Christmas – were restored. Another 24 received some repairs.
The workshop was one of 62 projects throughout the county on the Day of Caring. After the kickoff Everett Memorial Stadium, the volunteers trekked out to their projects. They ranged from landscaping to painting, voter registration and reading to children. The projects were designed to provide services that the organizations could not afford.
“I think this is a great way for the organization to connect with the community,” said John Gustafson, board chairman for United Way. “It allows us to focus on projects that can really make a difference. … And it’s a day for volunteers to have some fun as well.”
Snohomish County’s largest volunteer event also signaled the start of United Way’s annual Community Campaign fund drive. The campaign’s goal is to add 5,000 donors to the 21,000 who already contribute money to United Way. With 26,000 donors, an estimated $10.8 million would be raised.
“We believe that every donation to United Way is an investment in the future of Snohomish County,” United Way President Carl Zapora said. “We want to increase that local investment.”
United Way’s Dan Klusman said it’s not all about numbers.
“Raising money alone is not the measure of our success,” said Klusman, whose last day as director of marketing and communications was Friday. “It’s what the money does.”
As for the bike workshop, being mechanically inclined was not a requirement. Experts were on hand to guide the volunteers.
“I’ve never worked on a bike – ever,” said Amy Ruef, who has been with the Youth Connection AmeriCorps Program for a year. “I go to each station and see what they’re doing and am picking things up. Things I’ve never even learned. That’s what AmeriCorps has given me.”
For Saadiq Kamali, just getting some hands-on learning was enough to whet his appetite. The 33-year-old Everett resident has been with Youth Connection AmeriCorps Program for only a few weeks.
“I’m learning, I’m learning,” he said. “I haven’t done anything on a bike in like 10 to 15 years.”
Although Ruef and Kamali differed in their tenure with Youth Connection, they were united on this day because of their commitment to service. Because the program’s members work with youths ages 12 to 19 every day, they seldom have a chance to mingle with each other.
“On a day like this, we kind of step aside and team together,” said Donelle Kienholz, program director for Youth Connection AmeriCorps Program. “This generates a spirit of volunteerism.”
Kamali has had this spirit for a while now. His mother ran an in-house day care and worked with young mothers in new parenting courses.
“My background was social service, so community service is a big part of my life,” said Kamali, who is working with the Grandview Neighborhood Project in Everett.
Similarly, Ruef has had a willingness to serve for a long time.
“I decided I wanted to have a job where I knew I made a difference every day,” the 34-year-old from Lynnwood said.
This is the fifth year the Youth Connection AmeriCorps Program has participated in Day of Caring. In 2003, the group helped with Interurban Trail maintenance. In 2002, it helped renovate the Grandview center.
“We try to do something new and different in terms of a new need in the community,” Kienholz said.
“I like going on different projects because it shows me another project I can do with my kids,” Ruef said. “It gives me another idea and an in at another agency so I can bring the kids down.”
As for this year’s bike project, Christmas House will give out the bikes in December at the Everett Boys &Girls Club. This is the second year Christmas House has partnered with Sharing Wheels, and the first year for a bike workshop.
“Working with Sharing Wheels last year gave us a chance to put a bike out every so often during a shift,” says Kathy Hicks, volunteer coordinator for Christmas House.
The bicycle workshop idea came about last year when Ron Toppi, founder and president of Sharing Wheels’ board of directors, decided to form a partnership with Christmas House. In March, at the United Way Volunteer Expo, he met Kienholz and discussed possible volunteer opportunities.
“We figured it would be a good opportunity to get a jump start on all the 100 bikes for Christmas House,” Toppi said.
Volunteering benefits all parties, Ruef said.
“It feels good to help people, and it feels good for the people.”
News editorial assistant Darren Fessenden: 425-339-3432 or dfessenden@heraldnet.com.
Sharing Wheels
Sharing Wheels, 3514 Broadway in Everett, is a nonprofit organization that partners with local groups to provide earn-a-bike programs, free bicycle repair, bikes and bike helmets, and other services to low-income children and adults.
Volunteers are needed to assist with all programs, including fund-raising and outreach efforts. Space also is an issue. Sharing Wheels needs a place to offer classes, sell recycled bicycles and store donated bikes.
For more information, call 425-252-6952 or go to www.sharingwheels.org.
Christmas House
Christmas House is an Everett nonprofit that provides toys and essentials to low-income families during the holidays.
Christmas House, operated solely by volunteers, will be housed at the Everett Boys &Girls Club, 2316 12th St., Dec. 3-21.
Christmas House can be contacted at P.O. Box 717, Everett, WA 98206, 425-338-2273.
Or e-mail president@ christmas-house.org, volunteer@christmas-house. org, or donations@ christmas-house. org.
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