MLK Weekend of Service Projects Under Way

About 2,200 volunteers from across the Portland metro area are celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by contributing their time and effort to help local school and nonprofits.

This is the third year that United Way of the Columbia-Willamette is hosting the United Way MLK Weekend of Service, in partnership with Hands On Greater Portland. Projects are under way now through Monday, January 18.

In 2008, United Way debuted MLK Day of Service, attracting about 400 volunteers at about 30 projects. This year, there are over 100 "done-in-a-day" volunteer projects at 70+ agencies and schools throughout the region.

Above: Cree leaders from Friends of Trees work with volunteers to plant trees at a Southeast Portland neighborhood. Friends of Trees promotes planting, care and protection of urban trees to strengthen neighborhoods and renew the environment.

Volunteers help paint the interior of Outside In, an agency that provides housing, meals, health services, job resources and support for homeless youth and other low-income and marginalized people as they work towards self-sufficiency and improved health.


Volunteers help frame eight homes for the Jubilee Commons site of Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East.

Thanks volunteers for all your hard work in helping local agencies get important projects done. More photos from the weekend will be posted soon.