The Pleasanton Senior center was bustling when more than 500 Tri-Valley residents gathered at the Make a Difference Festival last Saturday, looking for ways to make a meaningful impact in their community. This annual event celebrated volunteerism and community service by providing opportunities for adults, families, and teenagers alike.
“Volunteers don’t get paid, and it’s because they are priceless. It’s easier for people to write a check, or to just support verbally. But when you give your time, that’s really the most treasured thing that you have. And so when people give time and care, it’s just very rewarding to build that sense of community and unity,” said Three Valleys Community Foundation CEO Kelly Bowers.
Organizations
Over 40 nonprofit organizations were present at the event. They were organized into three main categories: Community Service, Wellness, and Emergency Preparedness and Safety. Each organization set up a table showcasing information about its mission, work and opportunities for volunteer involvement.
“We are a very small staff, so we really rely on volunteers to help us produce events of a larger magnitude, because we couldn’t do it on our own. We really need volunteers that can help support our mission and go out and talk about who we are,” said PPIE Executive Director Andrea Wilson.
Volunteering
Volunteers are the backbone of every nonprofit’s success. Just like fuel powers an engine, volunteers drive the nonprofit’s efforts. These organizations exist to serve the community. They rely on local support to carry out their missions and create lasting change.
“The Sustainability Lens is a youth-led nonprofit that’s just getting off the ground. As we work to simplify climate science by breaking down barriers of complexity and confusion, we urgently need volunteers to help spread the word, build our social media presence, and possibly launch a newsletter,” said Director of Impact and Evaluation for The Sustainability Lens Ishanvi Khare (‘27).
While the festival offered many volunteering opportunities, it specifically targeted high schoolers looking to complete their community service hours. Students could volunteer during the event by tying blankets, sorting crayons, and writing cards to military personnel. Additionally, organizations offering volunteer service hours were easily identifiable by their golden bead necklaces.
“I initially just came here for volunteer hours. But creating greeting cards for military personnel gave me more of a perspective on people in the military. It made me consider what they’re going through by putting their lives on the line. Volunteering here made me appreciate the military a lot more for what it’s doing for this country,” said Raunav Jaiswal (‘28).
