HBF typically relies on the home building industry to provide their expertise to our shelter building projects. But, we also welcome weekend warriors who’d like to make a difference.

Fireside Home Solutions, the Oregonian, and Washington Federal Bank recruited 30 volunteers to give up their Saturday March 4th to help with Painting for a Better Tomorrow. The event started 15 years ago as a way to spruce up our shelters with a one- day event. Volunteers painted the interior of Community of Hope’s Hope House in St. Johns, and a newly purchased building owned by Project Homeless Connect in Hillsboro.

Oregonian employee and HBF board member Gwen Ozaki tells us seeing a before and after at Project Homeless Connect is very satisfying. “My days are so tied to computer work that it was good to be out and doing something physical. It was also a great way to get a group from work together that normally doesn’t interact because of remote working. Everyone loves coming out because they go away feeling they made a difference.”

Project manager Chris McDowell recruited this year’s sponsors, Miller and Rodda Paint, which donated supplies to the event. With price increases and supply chain woes affecting the paint industry, their contribution is very much appreciated.

“Painting” took a couple of years off because of the pandemic, but has been a part of HBF’s volunteer outreach for about 15 years. Mel Duncan came to volunteer with Fireside Home Solutions. She is a former staff member of HBF, and said in the early days it was a way to engage more volunteers, and to help stretch their more modest resources. She tells us she loved the opportunity “ There is always a way to help, lift up, acknowledge that no matter how small that act of kindness and compassion is. It feels good to be helpful, even if for the day." Mel brought along her daughters to help share her volunteer spirit with them.

Shelter providers are thrilled with the results. Project Homeless Connect’s Kim Marshall Gordon tells us they love seeing the community come together. “The space will be used for life-changing work, and the refresh of paint makes it so much more welcoming, and friendly. We are so thankful for wonderful volunteers, who give their time and energy to this important work.” Currently, HBF is helping remodel PHC’s two small homes, which help people living without shelter with meals, laundry, and counseling.

Hope House is a former project of HBF’s, which houses up to eight families at a time. This past winter, a crew from Ridgefield Custom Cabinets lent their muscle to an outdoor area cleanup. HBF often forms a lasting connection with our projects, and Painting for a Better Tomorrow is a great way to keep in touch.

Volunteer projects like Building a Better Tomorrow help us stretch our donation dollars. If you’d like to participate in a future event, contact Chris McDowell, chrism@hbapdx.org .

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