You can build a trail, clean up a park or a yard, paint a house or shelter, or help sell used library books. You can cap it all off with a celebration of hard work and volunteerism that raised an affordable home for a family that needed one.
What’s officially the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, always the third Monday in January, has morphed in our area into the three-day King Weekend of Service, all the way from Saturday, Jan. 17, through Monday, Jan. 19. It’s in honor of slain civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was born on Jan. 15, 1929. His birthday became a federal holiday in 1983. It took another decade for a federal law to create the King Day of Service. “Make it a day on, not a day off,” is the slogan.
Here’s a list of volunteer projects and opportunities here in Clark County. You can get details and sign up for most of these through Hands On Greater Portland, a volunteer clearinghouse operated by United Way, or through the city of Vancouver’s volunteer website for this weekend. The contact information is:
• handsonportland.org, or call 503-200-3355.
• www.cityofvancouver.us/community/page/volunteer-martin-luther-king-jr-days-service, or call 360-487-8316.
Some opportunities may be limited and have different preregistration and age requirements. If you’re under 18, you may need to bring a parent or parental consent form with you. If the work is outside, dress appropriately — warm clothes, work shoes and gloves are crucial — and bring your own tools and water bottle if you can. No power tools, please.
The Jan. 16 issue of The Columbian will have an update of these listings.
Jan. 17
• Water Works and Swift Skate Park cleanup. All day, starting at 9 a.m. Visit the city’s volunteer website, or email colleenneel@gmail.com.
• “Bookapalooza,” a gigantic used book sale at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library headquarters. Volunteers will assist from 1 to 4 p.m. by helping customers them find areas of interest, straightening displays, sorting books and re-stocking sales tables. Visit the Hands On Greater Portland site to sign up.
Jan. 18
• “Bookapalooza,” Day Two. See above.
Jan. 19
• Vancouver Lake Park, remove invasive blackberry and continue building a new trail corridor along the west side of the lake with the Washington Trails Association, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit parkhero.org or call 360-397-6118 ext. 1627.
• Water Resources Education Center beach and wetland cleanup and planting, 9 a.m. to noon. Visit the city website or call 360-487-8316.
• Burnt Bridge Creek tree planting and restoration, 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St. Sign up through the Vancouver Watersheds Alliance, vancouverwatersheds.org.
• Clark Public Utilities’ “StreamTeam” planting, 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. Email or call for details. StreamTeam@clarkpud.com or 360-992-8585. Visit www.streamteam.net.
• “Bookapalooza,” Day Three. See Jan. 17.
• YWCA SafeChoice domestic violence shelter: painting, cleaning and decorating at 1 p.m. Sign up through Hands On Greater Portland to get details and location. Prior painting experience preferred. Bring ladders, extension poles, drop cloths and other painting supplies if you have them.
• Make “security blanket” quilts for children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through Project Linus, 9 a.m. to noon. At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver, 4505 East 18th St. Call 360-833-0925 or visit www.uucvan.org to learn more.
Habitat celebrates 31
Also on Jan. 19, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity will dedicate its 31st home in Clark County — the new home of Michelle and Charles Frost and their three children.
The affordable home was built through donations, “sweat equity” from the family, and lots of additional help, including students of the Geometry in Construction programs at Mountain View and Evergreen high schools.
The dedication is set for 3 p.m. Jan. 19 at the house, 3603 O St., Vancouver.
