Folsom’s 11th annual Community Service Day is on the approach days and volunteer sign-ups will open this Friday online for residents to volunteer in one of the many projects across the city on Saturday, Sept. 21. Whether it’s helping on a landscaping project, a neighbor in need, collecting food donations, painting, cleaning or many other tasks, there is something for everyone to participate Folsom’s big day of philanthropy.
Community Service Day in Folsom is a citywide initiative that unites thousands of volunteers in accomplishing numerous service projects across the city, leaving a positive and lasting impact. Projects range from landscaping, repairing area parks, cleaning various areas, trail improvements, a city wide food drive and much more each year.
This Friday, those interested in making the commitment to volunteer this year can do so online, once registration officially opens prospective volunteers can find the link to register on the City of Folsom’s website page dedicated to Community Service Day HERE. Note that sign ups will not open or be visible on the page until Friday, July 26.
As it celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, Folsom’s Community Service Day welcomed a total of 1,902 volunteers. These volunteers took part in completing 105 different projects citywide, from beautifying local parks and schools in need to painting, cleaning books at the library and everything in between. At the end of the day, those volunteers worked a collaborative 7,608 volunteer hours.
In addition to the citywide projects in various public spaces, many took part in the neighbors helping seniors portion of the event. This is where volunteers help local seniors with various tasks, they otherwise may not be able to do due to health limitations or limited resources. From gutter cleaning to weed pulling, deck repairs and more a total of 71 different projects were completed for local seniors this year.
Just days before Community Service Day 2023, the Twin Lakes Food Bank announced its warehouse was empty. The community wide food drive helped with that problem with 28 tons of non-perishable food that was donated by residents and picked up across the city by a fleet of volunteers who brought it back to the food bank to another mass group that sorted it and prepped it for storage and future distribution to those in need.
Community Service Day 2023 also held additional donation drives for various items. Throughout the day a total of 35 bikes were collected, 99 purses, over 1,000 toys were donated, 400 pairs of eyeglasses, 45 bags of yarn and fabric, two heaping truck-loads of pet shelter supplies were donated and 438 letters were written to members of our military over season, many which also received special care packages.
While some may say they gave a share of blood, sweat and tears as they volunteered to help this year, there were others that donated blood, literally. The onsite blood drive hosted by Vitalant collected 12-pints of blood outside Lakeside Church during the morning. With an ongoing nationwide blood shortage, Folsom’s contribution will be much appreciated.
Most of the projects don’t require any special skills other than a willingness to pitch in where needed and a desire to make a positive and lasting impact in the community. Visit the event website HERE
