Ruth Bayan
Northwest Asia Weekly
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell poses with community leaders in Little Saigon on April 18. (Photo by George Liu)
SEATTLE — On April 18 in Little Saigon, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, surrounded by community leaders, announced a massive community volunteer effort called Seattle Day of Service, where he was looking for 2,200 volunteers. to help pick up litter and clean up graffiti, among other things.
The event will take place in the Chinatown International District (CID) and all seven city council districts on May 21st.
Volunteers graffiti on a building at 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street on April 18 (Photo courtesy of Linh Thai)
“As my administration grapples with pressing challenges, I hear every day Seattle residents looking for solutions. Today, I’m excited to announce One Seattle Day of Service—a way for everyone to get involved and give back New opportunities,” Harrell said.
Harrell, who emphasized graffiti removal throughout the campaign last year, briefly picked up a roller at the announcement to help cover a spray-painted wall.
Photo courtesy of Lin Tai
A Seattle Service Day will begin on May 21st at 9:00 am and the last volunteer activity will end at 5:00 pm. Most volunteer shifts are two to three hours long and vary from a few volunteers to a maximum of 100 people per shift. Nearly half of activity opportunities are open to people of all ages, and more than a third are open to people of all abilities.
Each volunteer will receive a T-shirt. Three hours of volunteer work can also apply to fines of up to $50 in Seattle City Court.
Volunteers graffiti on a building at 12th Avenue South and South Jackson Street on April 18 (Photo courtesy of Linh Thai)
You can help in a number of ways, including:
- Cleaning and landscaping – garbage collection, graffiti removal, building repairs, paint
- Gardening and Restoration – Weeding, Planting, Stormwater Protection and Trail Restoration
- Helping Neighbors in Need – Grocery Packing, Donation Organizations, and Micro Home Construction
“I hope this day of service is not just a day of service, but a day that inspires continued commitment and collaboration to address community priorities,” said Quynh Pham, Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon. “I commend Mayor Harrell for continuing to support and elevate our community. The problem.”
After cleaning (Photo courtesy of Linh Thai)
More than 80 partner organizations are participating in One Seattle Day of Service, including Chinatown-International District BIA, Downtown Seattle Association, Pioneer Square League, Seattle Chiefs Club, Food Lifeline, City League, Seattle Mariners, Seattle Sounders FC , OL Reign, University of Wisconsin Husky Football, etc.
Asked by AsiaWeek about the ongoing issue of homeless camps in the CID, Harrell said the issue “has been brewing for decades” and that the city will continue to “lead a housing strategy with compassion.”
After cleaning (Photo by George Liu)
Linh Thai, area manager of The Mission Continues, a nonprofit that helps connect veterans with community service work, helped start a monthly trash collection in the neighborhood.
He said, “The mission continues, serving side by side with community partners has had a major impact on our great country, especially in the United States. [CID] And Southeast Seattle… On May 21, 2022, we… appealed to the 28,000 veterans living in Seattle to join the movement and make a positive difference for our beloved city. “
access seattle.gov/dayofservice Learn more about the event and sign up to volunteer.
Ruth can be reached by Editor @nwasianweekly.com.
