On February 26, Mayor Sam Adams and Commissioner Nick Fish accepted a check for $100,000 on behalf of the City from faith community leader Luis Palau and 350 local church leaders to kick off Portland's 2009 Season of Service at Hinson Baptist Church in SE Portland. The Season of Service is a community and faith-based initiative to participate in projects that focus on environmental stewardship, assisting the homeless, reducing hunger and poverty, and volunteering at free medical and dental clinics. "The Season of Service has inspired all of us. More than ever, our community must come together from all sectors to address the economic challenges we face."
The generous donation of $100,000 will bolster the Home Again Mentoring Program and programming to help struggling teens resume their education.
Portland's 2009 Season of Service follows the success of last year's Season of Service, which brought in more than 27,000 volunteers to engage in community projects. Responding to skepticism that a partnership between local government and faith organizations could work so well, Mayor Adams replied that "not only did it happen, but that it was so successful that we'd be happy to do it again."
The 2009 Season of Service began on March 1st. If you are interested in working with the Christian community on a volunteer effort, we encourage you to explore all of the opportunities that the Season of Service has to offer.
To volunteer with this and other community organizations, please visit:
Luis Palau Association: 2009 Season of Service
Oregon SOLV
Hands On Greater Portland
