Season of Service Exceeds Expectations

July 31, 2008

Ambitious goals were set in Portland, Oregon, last February when more than 500 church leaders met with city officials and evangelist Luis Palau to launch the Season of Service. The planners hoped that by the weekend of Portland CityFest, August 22 and 23, no fewer than 15,000 volunteers would have served their communities through acts of service.

By all accounts, the Season of Service has passed that initial goal on a dead run as more than 25,000 volunteers are participating.

“The response to the Season of Service has been phenomenal,” said Kevin Palau of the Beaverton-based Palau Association. “We’ve seen participation from churches of all sizes and denominations, the corporate community, and from people who just want to help others in need.”

“We’ll definitely have something to celebrate at CityFest,” said Palau.

The Season of Service was created as a partnership with city governments, service agencies, and the church community to identify and provide resources to service projects for the homeless, the hungry, the medically uninsured and impoverished, the environment, and the public schools. Projects have included:

• Repair and restoration of historic Roosevelt High School involving close to 1000 volunteers
• Free medical and dental clinics throughout the greater Portland area
• Cleanup / fix-up days in local neighborhoods, parks, and schools
• “Homeless Connect” events offering resources for the city’s destitute
• Staffing and supplies to summer feeding programs
• Repairs and renovations to homes and communities damaged by recent floods

Some of the largest Season of Service events are still to come, including a massive cleanup project in Clark County, school supplies and clothing distribution in Washington County, and a number of cleanup projects to prepare local schools for the fall. Funds and human resources have come from such corporate supporters as Nike, Key Bank, the Portland Trailblazers, Intel and Wells Fargo Bank. The City of Portland will showcase their nationally recognized “Homeless Connect” program at CityFest.

Portland CityFest with Luis Palau is a free, family-friendly celebration at Waterfront Park on August 22 and 23. Visit the website and the blog now!