Picture this: thousands of volunteers of all ages across Richmond and the Tri-Cities working on more than 60 projects to make a difference and support the missions of nonprofits in our region. What does that look like? It’s cleaning up and beautifying a Richmond landmark – The Byrd, it’s building an aviary for an endangered bird in Midlothian, it’s painting a home for our neighbors with intellectual disabilities, and so much more. It’s the Eighth Annual HandsOn Day, held on Saturday, October 17th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m, hosted by HandsOn Greater Richmond. A celebration at Hardywood will follow the day of service.

Many have answered the call, but there are several projects still in need of your help, including:

• Windex and Alley Crew – The Doorways

This project is washing the exterior-facing windows and railings and cleaning up the city-owned alley behind the facility to ensure guests arrive to a welcoming atmosphere.

• Big Byrd Clean Up – Area 10 Faith Community

Help the Byrd by performing regular maintenance and cleaning for Carytown’s historic jewel so that it may continue to serve the community.

• Storm Renovation – Ginter Park United Methodist Church

Volunteers are needed to move heavy furniture and help restore the third floor of the education building after damage from a storm. 

• Pick Me Up – Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services

Volunteers are needed to help clean the refrigerators and freezers to be ready for the donations, to drive to pick up food, weigh the food and stock the shelves, and pick up donations from the Clothes Closet donation bins throughout Goochland County.

• Paint for Independence – Heart Havens

This project will paint the living room, hallway, and one bathroom at the Garber Morris Home, where adults with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to live in a family setting while making personal choices, achieving individual goals, and contributing to the surrounding community..

•  Reorganize the ReStore – Richmond Metro Habitat for Humanity

Volunteers will clean and organize, assist customers, and unload furniture. 

• Clean Sweep at Harbor House – Safe Harbor

Volunteers will help create a warm and inviting place by cleaning windows, raking leaves, and assist with indoor cleaning projects. 

• Pumpkin Carving with Residents – SupportOne

Volunteers will work with residents with intellectual disabilities on a pumpkin carving project and in making decorations for Halloween.

If you are unable to make it to the Saturday event, you can still get involved! HandsOn Day will also feature Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects and “DROP IN” projects, so volunteers who can’t commit all morning to a project can still participate. Here is a list of some of the projects where you can get hands-on:

DIY projects (MAKE SURE TO SIGN UP BY SUNDAY 10/11):

• Dental Items Needed for Kits – Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services

• Drawstring Medication Bags – Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services

• Stress Balls for Linwood Holton Elementary School students

• Household Items Needed – CARITAS

• Canned Food Needed – Fan Free Clinic

• Games and Decor Needed – Greater Richmond SCAN

• Toothpaste, Soap, Deodorant, etc. Needed for Hygiene Kits – Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond

• Cleaning & Kitchen Supplies and Can Tabs Needed – Ronald McDonald House Charities

DROP IN projects (only requires 30 minutes of volunteer time on 10/17):

• DROP IN: Playground Beautiful – Friends of Chimborazo Playground

• DROP IN: A Birthday Card for All – celebrate! RVA

Claire Calise, Chair of the HandsOn Day Steering Committee says: “The thing I love about volunteering is that volunteers come in all ages, shapes, sizes, and backgrounds.  For example, I’ve seen even small volunteer groups that have volunteers ranging in age from 15 – 70. It’s pretty awesome to see individuals from all across the Greater Richmond region come together to give back in such a positive way.”

Last year, HandsOn Day brought Richmonders together to provide more than 4,810 volunteer hours at 65 different opportunities with nonprofits and community organizations—a $117,797 value of volunteer time invested in the community. With your help, HandsOn can make an even greater impact through this year’s day of service!

HandsOn Greater Richmond is one of four programs of the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence, which provides nonprofits in Central Virginia with the tools they need to improve their effectiveness and efficiency for greater impact. Read about the benefits of volunteering here, and be sure to sign up for a HandsOn Day project here.