Jim knew he had talents and manpower that others needed. He turned to United Way’s Volunteer Center to find out how he could be a part of the solution. United Way’s Volunteer Center mobilizes people and resources to deliver creative solutions.
Jim got connected right away, helping an Everett family repair their home after property crime had left it vandalized and in ruins. Jim quickly took charge, cleaning and hauling the ruined furniture to the dump. He realized that this family could not afford new furniture. He wasted no time scouring the papers, calling people to ask if they would donate their sale items to furnish the family’s home. The family now has a new and furnished home.
Jim’s eagerness to help his community grew. He connected to another volunteer opportunity after a season of stormy weather and torrential downpours flooded the Three Rivers Mobile Park. Jim and a team from The Salvation Army cleaned the wreckage and repaired the homes. Again Jim realized that these people couldn’t afford to rebuild their homes. He got to work looking for donated materials and found enough padding and carpet to cover five large rooms. With his two teenage daughters, Jim spent over 50 hours pulling up carpet, coordinating transport of the materials and organizing a crew to install the new materials in the mobile park homes.
“Before getting connected to these volunteer opportunities I knew there were problems, but didn’t know how or where I could help,” states Jim. “Now my family and I are connected to our community, using our resources and time for those who need it the most.”
Through United Way; Jim is a part of the solution working to improve people’s lives in Snohomish County.