AmeriCorps Week

  By Mandy | March 13, 2012 - 8:17 am | AmeriCorps
Leave a comment

Members and alumni are recognized for their extraordinary commitment to serving as AmeriCorps each year during AmeriCorps Week. Washington Reading Corps, Spokane Service Team and YouthBuild participated in various activities during the week to highlight the positive impact AmeriCorps makes across our nation every day. Members and alumni were able to connect and network through volunteer projects. This year, AmeriCorps Week took place from Saturday, March 10th through Sunday, March 18th, 2012.

A big thank you to local businesses, Froyo Earth, Dutch Bros, and Garland Movie Theater for donating special deals to help express community’ appreciation to AmeriCorps members. As part of the nationwide effort, Spokane AmeriCorps members and alum work to positively impact critical problems in the community.

Catholic Charities AmeriCorps Week began successfully as volunteers joined forces on Saturday, March 10th to help clean, rake and organize the children’s play area at St. Margaret’s Women’s Shelter. Bags of leaves and garbage were removed from the yard, leaving the play area safe, clean and ready for memories to be made.

KSPS Membership Drive
Sunday, March 11th members from various programs represented AmeriCorps during a televised KSPS membership drive. Volunteers answered pledge phone calls during program specials, taking donations totaling over $8,000 dollars for local public television.

SpokAnimal Dog Treats Union Gospel Mission Cookies Volunteers gathered Tuesday, March 13th to bake dog treats. The homemade dog treats are donated in decorated jars to SpokAnimal as a fundraiser for the shelter. For the event AmeriCorps members also decorated bags and made cookies, which were donated to Union Gospel Mission Men’s shelter.

Red Cross AmeriCorps members volunteered with the Red Cross to promote fire safety in a low income neighborhood in Spokane on Wednesday, March 14th. Volunteers went door to door distributing information and talking to neighbors about key steps you can take to reduce the risk of fire. In Spokane, house fires are the leading cause of disaster, affecting hundreds of families every year.

2-Harvest Help the Hungry Sort Night Onions, onions and more onions! AmeriCorps volunteers gathered at 2-Harvest to help sort over 20,000 lbs of onions to be distributed to food shelters in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. Efforts will help contribute to feeding 6,000 hungry people in the local community.

Spokane Service Symposium On Friday, March 16th AmeriCorps members serving in the Spokane community came together to reflect on challenges and successes of the 2011-2012 term. Those who attended enjoyed hearing an inspirational speech by Bill Basl, the Executive Director of the Washington Commission on National and Community Service, who encouraged each member to thank the person who was responsible for them joining AmeriCorps. During the symposium individuals presented creative works of art to show self-growth while serving as AmeriCorps members. Individuals painted, made PowerPoint presentations, wrote a rap song and even created a beautiful banner.

Spokane Saint Patrick’s Day Parade On Saturday, March 17th as part of AmeriCorps Week the Spokane Service Team, Washington Reading Corps and YouthBuild walked in the Annual Spokane St. Patrick’s Day Parade to raise awareness for AmeriCorps. They proudly carried the AmeriCorps banner and a giant Irish Laidly Worm, which flew and swooped to the delight of children watching the parade. Don Young followed us in his convertible with giant AmeriCorps A’s on both sides. We had over 50 people marching with us including children and spouses of AmeriCorps members and their dogs. The community had a great turnout filling the streets along the parade route.

A big thank you to everyone who participated!

There are over 150 AmeriCorps members serving in NEWESD programs, each making a difference in our community. This is Kasia’s Story of Service:

Kasia Alexander has a psychology degree from Evergreen State College and a heart for service. She is a full-time AmeriCorps member with the Spokane Service Team placed at North Pines Middle School. In addition to tutoring middle school students, Kasia has volunteered over 200 additional hours at local non-profit organizations. She is a perfect example of someone who has taken service and made it a part of her daily life.

Through her position with the 21st Century Success Academy at North Pines Middle School, she helps tutor 60 students to further education in math and science and homework help. The program focuses on students with low MSP scores, poor attendance in school and low grades. Programming is offered Monday through Friday which includes a “Why Try” Program (dropout prevention), a math improvement class, and at least 40 minutes per week in a computer program called Math Whizz.

Students are provided with time to complete their homework and receive one on one attention from tutors ranging from specially trained North Pines students, high school students and volunteer adult tutors. Also, on Fridays, some students are given the exciting opportunity to participate in a robotics program which is taught by an excellent science teacher from North Pines. Kasia shared, “Overall, I have seen some immense improvement from several of our students and already, some students have pulled out of failing grades!”

In reflecting on her year, Kasia wrote, “

Aside from my work at North Pines Middle School, I have participated in many activities that I feel have had a great impact on the community in which I currently live. I am particularly proud of my work with organizations who serve low-income individuals and families including 2nd Harvest, the Christmas Bureau and the Fill the Bus Event at The Trading Company.

To start, I have volunteered at 2nd Harvest sorting food for several food banks throughout the community. I have sorted watermelons, potatoes, limes and food boxes to be sent to seniors in the community. While the work is tiring and the warehouse is often cold, it is always rewarding to hear just how many pounds of food we helped sort by the end of our shift, all for the good of those less fortunate in our community.

Another organization I have been involved with is the Christmas Bureau which took place during the Christmas season. I was put in charge of the candy table, which was responsible for handing candy canes to the adults who attended who did not have children to claim. A simple candy cane may not seem like much, but the smiles I often received at the other end of that red and white cane was extremely rewarding.

Lastly, I dedicated almost an entire Saturday to the “Fill the Bus” event that North Pines hosted at the Trading Company in Spokane Valley. My job was to keep an eye on the students who volunteered, collect food for local food banks (Thanksgiving themed) in a cart and wheel the cart out to a big yellow school bus which was pretty full by the time we finished! That food was taken to a local food bank to benefit families on Thanksgiving. One student was asked by a newscaster about the “competition” among the other middle schools to collect the most food and without hesitation he responded “That’s not what this about! It’s about helping people on Thanksgiving.” Truly an awesome thing to hear from a kid in middle school! “

His Hope, His Dream, Our Responsiblity. MLK Celebration!

  By Mandy | January 19, 2012 - 12:47 pm | AmeriCorps, Service Events
Leave a comment

By Whitney McKelvey, AmeriCorps member

AmeriCorps Members at STA Bus Plaza

Martin Luther King Jr. courageously shared his dream in hopes of equality for all men, women and children. Over 80 AmeriCorps members and staff congregated together on January 16, 2012 to celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. by continuing in his fight for equal opportunity and to celebrate diversity. AmeriCorps members first listened to the insightful reflection of community leaders and the passionate speeches of Reverend Percy “Happy” Watkins and Reverend Dr. Stephen J. Thurston.

AmeriCorps members and staff, along with over 3,000 supporters, marched from INB Performing Art Center to Riverpark Square (http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jan/17/united-for-equality/).

MLK March


Members held the AmeriCorps banner up high with pride as everyone marched to the beautiful beat of Native American drummers and high school band. As AmeriCorps marched past police officers a kind “thank you” was said to each officer in gratitude for their service and dedication to protecting all the participants.

Children's fair- free books for all!

After the march, Washington Reading Corps led a well organized children’s fair with the help of the Spokane Service Team at the STA Bus Plaza. All children were welcome to make fun arts and crafts, such as friendship bracelets and lamb costumes out of paper bags. AmeriCorps was able to give away over 500 books thanks to the donations of local nonprofits and individuals in the community.

Thank you to all AmeriCorps members, staff and family who volunteered and participated in the Martin Luther King events. AmeriCorps continues to dedicate its work every day to “Getting Things Done”. People in the Spokane community recognize the dedication and positive impact AmeriCorps volunteers have on the community. Spokane Mayor David Condon captured the essence of the AmeriCorps mission as he said, “Though we celebrate Martin Luther King Day just one day a year, we are working to live out the principles he taught us every day” (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/01/14/mlk-parade-organizers-hoping-for-big-turnout/#ixzz1jpleBv4J).

Season of Service 2011

  By Mandy | January 4, 2012 - 11:07 am | Service Events
Leave a comment

Tis the season for AmeriCorps members to venture out into the Spokane community and make a positive impact. Season Of Service is a month long volunteering project, where indviduals partner with local nonprofits to the serve the Spokane community during the holiday season.
Season of Service kick-off was a huge success, as ESD101 Riverside Office hosted a celebration, Holiday Sweater Party on December 6th, 2011. Over 80 AmeriCorps members, family, friends and staff came together to sing Christmas carols and hear stories from Santa. Participants decorated 175 cards for Meals on Wheels and 200 cards for veterans. After eating a delicious dinner of lasagna and green salad, representatives from local nonprofits presented to those who attended; offering volunteering opportunities in December.

Particapating nonprofit organizations with contact information:
1. Toys for Tots -Joshua Wiese-(509)327-4216 ext.7
2. Meals on Wheels -Sarah Robertsons-(509)924-6976
3. First Night Spokane -Lona Barnum-(509)456-0508
4. 2nd Harvest -Debbie Clemens-(509)252-6257
5. Mission Community Outreach -Mark Kinney-(509)499-5809

Everyone left the celebration excited and ready to serve!

Here come the graduates!

  By Mandy | November 2, 2011 - 1:01 pm | YouthBuild
Leave a comment

YouthBuild participants pictured clockwise are Justin Roberson, Xavier Jones, Dylan Campbell and Robert (Bert) Holden who received a GED, and Brittanee Freeland, who earned a high school diploma. Also pictured in center of photo is Jessica Cross, NEWESD 101 education case manager. Not pictured: YouthBuild graduate Austin Chastain.

Six members of NEWESD 101’s YouthBuild Spokane were acknowledged at a celebration breakfast October 28 for achieving important educational milestones.
Recognized for earning a GED were Justin Roberson, Xavier Jones, Dylan Campbell and Robert Holden. Brittanee Freeland was recognized for meeting requirements for a high school diploma.
Justin is an aspiring underwater welder with plans to attend Spokane Community College after completing YouthBuild. Xavier would like to join the Army National Guard. Afterwards, he is interested in going to college or doing an apprenticeship. Dylan is considering careers in long- haul truck driving and culinary arts.
Robert would like to train for a career as a technician engineer or mechanic. In the meantime, he is pursuing an apprenticeship as a heavy equipment operator. Brittanee is attending a college preparation course through the Community Colleges of Spokane and plans to transition to post-secondary education once her term is complete.
Austin Chastain, who also earned a GED, will be attending Spokane Community College and transferring to Eastern Washington University to obtain degrees in English and philosophy while training as a high school teacher. Eventually, he would like to work as a college professor.
In YouthBuild, young adults who left high school are given a second chance in the classroom, while also training for a career in the construction industry. Since YouthBuild began in 2009, 96 percent of program completers have earned a high school diploma or GED. Twenty-eight percent have gone to college and 40 percent entered full-time employment in the non-profit or commercial construction sectors.
Participants also receive an opportunity to co-enroll in AmeriCorps. So far, 44 YouthBuild members have completed over 13,000 hours of community service through AmeriCorps, earning more than $51,700 for current or future post-secondary education expenses.
Jessica Cross was recently hired to work with YouthBuild members as an education case manager. Since she began this past August, she has already helped three students earn a high school diploma. Another nine have completed their GED.
“Jessica’s dedication has made a positive difference for students and the YouthBuild program,” said Manda Edwards, program manager. ”She works with participants to improve literacy and numeracy skills while laying a foundation for them to earn a diploma or GED. She also helps every member develop a long-term education plan.”
YouthBuild participants spend half of each day in the classroom, completing credit toward their high school diplomas or GEDs, and the other half on construction job sites. Students successfully completing a six-month term receive an AmeriCorps educational award of $1,125.
YouthBuild members are currently constructing a new home at 2119 West Mallon in Spokane. Once complete, the City of Spokane will sell the home to a low-income family and/or first-time homebuyer. Most recently, the YouthBuild team completed a similar home in the Spokane Valley for First Story, a Northwest non-profit.
Individuals and families interested in learning more about YouthBuild Spokane may attend an informational session at 2424 East Riverside Avenue on November 17 or November 30 at 3 p.m. The next cohort of YouthBuild will begin in December. (A.H.)

Washington Reading Corps in the News

  By Mandy | November 2, 2011 - 8:09 am | AmeriCorps, Washington Reading Corps
Leave a comment

OLYMPIA – The state Employment Security Department has awarded grants totaling $212,000 for three Washington Service Corps projects in Eastern Washington.

• New Alliance Counseling Services in Republic has received $73,000. The grant will pay for 18 Washington Service Corps members to help deliver life-skills training that works with young people and their parents in Ferry County to avoid substance abuse, violence and other struggles of growing up.

• Rural Resources Community Action of Colville has been awarded $48,000 to boost learning for children and adults. The grant will pay for 15 Service Corps members to tutor young people in Stevens and Pend Oreille counties who are struggling with reading. The team also will assist adult students with basic education and general educational development (GED) studies.

NEWESD 101 Washington Reading Corps Team 2011-2012

• Educational Service District #101 in Spokane will get $91,000 for reading programs in Spokane, Stevens and Ferry counties. Twenty-four Washington Service Corps members will serve as reading tutor for students, teach family members how they can help with their children’s reading, and recruit more volunteers to aid struggling students.

Statewide, more than $1.7 million is being distributed to school districts, counties, learning centers, housing authorities and non-profit groups to support 515 Service Corps members working on 15 team projects over the coming year. Team members will provide services in 34 of Washington’s 39 counties from September 2011 through August 2012.

“The Service Corps enlists the energy and enthusiasm of young adults in projects that benefit our local communities,” said Employment Security Commissioner Paul Trause. “The investment pays for itself many times over and makes a lasting difference in the lives of the Service Corps members and those they serve.”

Funding for the grants comes from the federal AmeriCorps programs. Employment Security distributes the money to local communities throughout Washington to cover operating costs and to provide stipends to Service Corps members to serve on a wide range of public-service projects.

Created by the state legislature in 1983 and administered by the Employment Security Department, the Washington Service Corps engages the talents, energy and enthusiasm of civic-minded adults, aged 17 and up, in serving their communities.

To learn more about Washington Service Corps team projects and individual placement sites, visit /washingtonservicecorps/.

Make a Difference Day 2011

  By Mandy | October 25, 2011 - 7:08 am | AmeriCorps, Service Events, Washington Reading Corps
Leave a comment

by Whitney McKelvey, AmeriCorps member
Make A Difference Day is a national day of service held annually on the fourth Saturday of October where millions of Americans complete a day of action to help change the world. On the morning of October 22nd, over 80 AmeriCorps Members belonging to Spokane Service Team, Washington Reader Corps, Youth Build, and New Alliance worked together to better the Spokane Community. Efforts helped feed the hungry, cloth children, improve the environment and serve homeless animals. No action was too small, as every task completed helped make a difference in the life of another in the Spokane Community. Thank you to all the compassionate participants!

AmeriCorps members, staff, family and friends eagerly served at:

Liberty Park

Reforest Spokane- 25 AmeriCorps members alongside 700 other community volunteers planted 10,000 Ponderosa Pines.The Reforest Spokane project was organized by the Lands Council of Spokane. Tree planting efforts will increase areas of much needed shade, reduce traffic noise and create a more beautiful Spokane community.

Sorting Potatoes

2-Harvest Food Bank- Distributes to a network of 250 food banks and meal centers serving in Eastern Washington and North Idaho. AmeriCorps Members took part on Make a Difference Day in bagging over 7,000 LBs of potatoes which will feed over 2,600 hungry people. 2-Harvest along with volunteers feed over 40,000 hungry people region wide each week and provides 1.7 million pounds of donated food each month.

AmeriCorps Members in the Nursery

Vanessa Behan Crises Nursery- AmeriCorps Members assisted Vanessa Behan Crises Nursery in sorting donated baby clothing, packaging diapers and cleaning the facility. Efforts will help continue the nursery’s mission of keeping over 4,000 kids safe and warm each year. Vanessa Behan Crises Nursery is an important resource for parents to use for childcare, parent education, crises counseling and free clothing/diapers.

Sorting Toys


Inland NW Baby-Inland Northwest Baby is a nonprofit founded by a 14 year old boy with incredible social awareness. He recognized the need that children had in the Spokane Community for necessities items, such as clothing and diapers and took action. AmeriCorps Members on Make a Difference Day helped the facility organize clothing for children and packaged diapers.

Making Dog Treats



SpokAnimal- SpokAnimal is an amazing organization dedicated to the placement, protection and health of animals in the Spokane Community. AmeriCorps Members along with their families helped bake dog treats to be sold at the SpokAnimal facility. Both AmeriCorps and SpokAnimal feel it is important to help the living creatures in the Spokane community who do not have a voice to represent themselves. Proceeds will go to help continue the mission of SpokAnimal, as they help over 700 animals a month.

YouthBuild staff, Manny Santos

Bethany Presbyterian Church-AmeriCorps Members worked together on Make a Difference Day in moving, cleaning and organizing the storage of Bethany Presbyterian Church so that new nonprofits can use their third floor for operations. Volunteers also completed various renovation tasks. The effort and work completed by these volunteers in one day would have taken the church three weeks to complete. Bethany Presbyterian Church helps build the Spokane community as it encourages individuals to demonstrate grace, service, integrity and hospitality. The facility also offers its services to youth programs, such as Crosswalk.

Cleaning Desks

Slavic Christian Academy Enrolls students from preschool to 12th grade. 11 AmeriCorps volunteers came together on Make a Difference Day to clean classes, the cafeteria, the library. Volunteers also decorated bulletin boards, painted, and picked up garbage outside.

Building a home; building a dream

  By Mandy | October 10, 2011 - 3:10 pm | Construction, YouthBuild
Leave a comment

Brianna Solis, a mother of two, wiped a tear from her eye as she unlocked the door to her new home in the community of Covey Glenn. “I keep thinking that one day I will wake up and it will all be a dream” said Solis. But, it’s actually a dream come true.
When First Story, a Northwest non-profit, dedicated a new Spokane Valley home in late September, it did more than provide a beautiful, affordable home to a deserving family. Indeed, the dedication ceremony also showcased the talent of local youth, members of NEWESD 101’s AmeriCorps YouthBuild pr ogram, who built the house.

Youth in the NEWESD program have long been involved in the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing in the Spokane area. This, however, was the first constructed in partnership with First Story, a non-profit based in Bend, Ore. Students, under the supervision of trained professionals, built the home from the ground up. The home is located in the Covey Glen community near Barker Road.


YouthBuild students learned many new skills while building this home and appreciated the opportunity to be part of such a valuable mission. “Our partnership with YouthBuild allows us to transform the lives of at-risk young adults,” said Shon Rae, executive director of First Story, who traveled to the dedication from Bend. “The trainees gain a valuable education, job training and leadership skills while helping a family right here in need in the Spokane Valley.”

“I have learned more while building this house than any other job. I learned about carpeting, roofing, caulking, tiling and many other skills. But, what will be my most prized memory is the memory of today; the day that we get to give this house to Brianna Solis and her family.”
-YouthBuild Member, Marissa Dire

First Story serves families that don’t qualify for government-assisted housing, but still lack the resources to own their own home. The organization is building six homes this year in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. www.FirstStory.org

September 11th Memorial Stair Climb

  By Mandy | September 21, 2011 - 12:33 pm | AmeriCorps, Service Events, Washington Reading Corps, YouthBuild
1 Comment

On the morning of September 11th, 2011, 31 New ESD101 AmeriCorps Members assisted 260 fire service members in the Memorial Stair Climb held at the Bank of America Building, located in downtown Spokane. Fire service members convene in high-rise buildings across the United States to climb 110 stories as a tribute to their fallen brothers.
Some used air packs or carried hoses; many in full turn-out gear; others were accompanied by rescue dogs. Each climber carried the photograph and biographical sketch of a firefighter who was lost on September 11, Memorial Stair Climb is not a race, but an opportunity to honor and remember the 343 FDNY members who selflessly gave their lives so that others might live. It was truly an honor for AmeriCorps Members to take part in such an unforgettable event.

AmeriCorps Volunteers, Fire Fighters and Mayor Mary Verner

“We will never forget that tragic day-innocent lives lost, the bravery of those who responded, and the remarkable spirit of unity and compassion that swept the country in the aftermath,” said Robert Velasco II, Acting CEO of the Corporation of National and Community Service. “We are asking Americans to remember the lives of those lost, pay tribute to those who rose in service, and honor those who serve our country today by engaging in service on the 9/11 weekend.”

The Spokane stairclimb was one of approximately 50 memorial stairclimbing events that was held across the country.

Celebrating Those Who Serve By Debbie Vogel

  By Mandy | June 24, 2011 - 1:41 pm | AmeriCorps
Leave a comment


This year marked the fifth annual National AmeriCorps Week: May 14-21, 2011. Spokane area AmeriCorps, VISTA, and alumni planned activities which included; a variety of opportunities to serve at local nonprofits, appreciation discounts from vendors, and celebration events.

The week started with two service projects, planting trees at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge and collecting for 2nd Harvest’s Stamp out Hunger event. On Sunday, a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels was coordinated with Applebee’s who generously donated 10% of a participating customer’s bill. The work week then started with a fabulous kickoff to all AmeriCorps with Dutch Brother Coffee donating a free drink to any member who visited any one of their several Spokane locations on Monday. Cup of Cool Water was the service project for the day and volunteers were able to help homeless teens by organizing the clothing bank, cleaning storage rooms, and making cards for youth in the jail system. Tuesday, May 17th offered AmeriCorps another great coffee discount at Chairs Coffee and the service project for that day was at Inland Northwest Baby. Volunteers eagerly assisted in sorting through baby and toddler size clothes for the organization’s upcoming, city wide family event. Inland Northwest Baby provides essential needs such as clothing and diapers to local babies and toddlers in need.

Wednesday members completed a service project at P.E.A.C.H Farms in Cheney. Volunteers drove out to the farm and participated in transplanting seedlings for this organic farm whose mission is to provide local, organic food to low income community members. The vendor appreciation of the day, buy $1 ticket, get one free to see a movie at the historic Garland Theatre. On Thursday, May 19th, volunteers could be found at both locations of Union Gospel Mission Thrift Stores assisting in cleaning and sorting for this remarkable international organization. Froyo Earth, a local and enormously popular frozen yogurt business offered the vendor appreciation with buy one, get one free to all AmeriCorps members who visited wearing their AmeriCorps attire on Thursday.

Local celebrities, the Spokane Shock, current champion professional arena football team defended their title against Tampa Bay Friday night with largely discounted group tickets being offered to AmeriCorps members. Those in attendance were treated to an amazing show of a sport that is rapidly growing around the nation. AmeriCorps brought awareness to the Arena crowd with their AmeriCorps attire and a public recognition was made by reader board display and announcements during the game.

The grand finale, the AmeriCorps Week Celebration, finally arrived on Saturday, May 21st at Riverfront Park on a beautiful sunny day. The event began at 3:30 p.m. at the Northbank Shelter with decorations of red, white and blue shining across the park. Music filled the air as The Blissterz, a local band showcasing an AmeriCorps alumni as their lead singer, brought toe tapping and smiles to the almost 100 AmeriCorps, VISTA, alumni and family members who attended to celebrate their substantial service to their communities. The well planned festivities included; a beautiful varying display of art submitted by members, volleyball competitions, random drawings of service appreciation awards, and a sensational talent show. The talent show revealed the amazing talents of current AmeriCorps members that ranged from a solo violin performance, Irish step dance, rap singer, Native American singing and drums, keyboard soloist, gymnastics, and culminating in a sensational fire dance that wowed the audience.

A great feast was also enjoyed by everyone there as O’Doherty’s Irish Pub catered a wonderful BBQ with that was plentiful enough with even the young construction members who could be seen going back for seconds and thirds. AmeriCorps themed cake was served as heartfelt inspiration filled the air as reflection stories and future dreams were told from past and current members.

What could possibly top of a week filled with activities and a Saturday afternoon celebration, a parade of course! The 73rd Annual Lilac Parade, Spokane’s largest and most prestigious parade brought one final opportunity to bring awareness to the vast presence of AmeriCorps during National AmeriCorps Week. Current members, alumni, and family who attended the festivities starting early that afternoon made a point stay and march in the parade with their AmeriCorps attire behind the AmeriCorps banner until the parade ended at 10:30 p.m. Those who marched in the parade found that once again, patience and hard work (the wait in the parade staging with cold winds for over two hours, then actually marching for two hours) paid off as walking through the streets of downtown with thousands of parade spectators seeing and hearing the announcements of AmeriCorps and the mission we serve of volunteering to give back to our communities.
The week-long celebration was a wonderful success to thank those who serve, have served, or support those who serve. Service projects throughout the week provided members the opportunity to get acquainted with and serve a local nonprofit that offers their services to those in need. Generous local vendors supported AmeriCorps tireless efforts with discounts each day in appreciation for their service to the community. And the grand finale on Saturday with memorable festivities showcasing the talents and camaraderie of all those who serve through AmeriCorps will be remembered long beyond the term of 2011.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 2011

  By maltmar | February 9, 2011 - 4:12 pm | AmeriCorps, Washington Reading Corps
Leave a comment

The Spokane Service Team and Reading Corps offered their service in several ways Monday, January 17, 2011. As they have for the past decade, the members of the SST helped setup tables in the Riverfront Mall for the service fair. The day started with donuts, coffee, tables, and camaraderie. The team also helped setup a children’s fair with and for the Reading Corps. From there they went to the INB Performing Arts Center to hear the call to service as offered by the speakers. Unlike previous years, the SST and Reading Corps members were asked to go one extra step to usher the attendants along a secondary trail for the march due to a suspicious backpack, which turned out to contain an explosive device, placed along the original route. No one was hurt, the device did not detonate, and the service fair went off without a hitch. The team closed the event by taking down the tables and chairs before heading home. A job well done!