One handmade blanket, assembled hygiene kit, donated pint of blood and planted tree at a time, volunteers gathered at Pierce College on Sunday and supported those in need across the San Fernando Valley.
Organized by California State Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, more than 1,300 volunteers marked the third annual Valley Day of Service by grabbing their umbrellas, rolling up their sleeves and working on community beautification and support projects on the Pierce campus and at nearby locations.
“We understood that there was a hunger for people to be out in the community together,” Gabriel said. “We’re just blown away by the response we got from kind and generous people who want to support their neighbors who are struggling.”
in Woodland Hills, Calif., on April 14, 2024. Photo by Sophie Lotterstein.
From environmental nonprofits to food donation groups, nearly 50 local organizations volunteered at the event and also set up booths along the Mall to share information. The Valley Day of Service started in 2022, with about 700 volunteers, and has expanded each year since then.
Gabriel said the idea for the event was spurred by a lack of opportunities for local residents to come together due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is my third year here because I think one of the most important things we can do is build the community we want to see,” State Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo said. “So many issues in our community come from disconnection, and this is about connection.”
Several other local and state government officials attended the event and spoke about its importance to them.
“We’re bringing a bright light to all corners of our community and working together to uplift our community,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said. “We’re not pointing fingers and saying it’s somebody else’s responsibility. We’re all stepping up and doing our part.”
Volunteer Joe Macias spent the day working with the organization L.A. River Walkers and Watchers to clean up trash and beautify the San Fernando Valley.
“We saw a need in the river ecosystem with the excess garbage,” Macias said. “We knew the only way to take it back for the community was to get involved and start cleaning it up.”
First-time Valley Day of Service volunteer Anisa Yardimoglu made blankets for domestic violence survivors with the organization Haven Hills.
She said that as someone who grew up in an abusive environment, volunteering at the event meant a lot to her.
“I’m always grateful to the women who helped us and this is my way to give back,” Yardimoglu said. “This is an opportunity to do something that can have such an impact.”
Volunteer Javier Zepeda came to the event to spread awareness and recruit volunteers for the North Los Angeles County Regional Center, a nonprofit organization supporting people with developmental disabilities.
“We do a lot of community outreach and wanted to get the word out there,” Zepeda said. “We’re making sure to facilitate access to our organization.”
Pierce Interim President Ara Aguiar said she appreciates the many volunteers and organizations who came to the event.
“The Day of Service just keeps growing and there are several Pierce faculty and students here, so the campus really gets involved,” Aguiar said. “I look forward to it every year.”
