Alternative Spring Breaks at The ReBuilding Center

Remember Spring Break? Traditionally known as a time for: 1. lazy days 2. preparation for a new season 3. friends 4. family 5. California/Florida beaches 6. all around lounge time.

Well…There is now an alternative! The Rebuilding Center hosted three different alternative break groups during the month of April. The University of Illinois, Idaho State and The University of Montana all generously sent us wonderful groups of volunteers. They lent helping hands to the gradual reorganization of The ReBuilding Center's lumber yard. They helped build racks, organize tile and supported many other on going projects.

We are so grateful for their selfless act to spend their breaks working (and learning) with us. Thank you so much for your time and efforts. Your work has truly made a difference.

Inspiration Through Volunteers

A new and exciting batch of magnets have come into the warehouse…made by volunteers! They were craftily created by the students of Douglas High School’s PACE class. The students and their teacher came and scavenged for good magnet making materials. They took them back to the classroom and eureka! Magnets galore! The proceeds fund an education scholarship that helps those with limited resources attend ReBuilding Center classes and workshops.

Thank you so much Douglas High School for your innovative volunteering and beautiful magnet artwork. We are so grateful for your contribution!

Magnets made by Douglas High School students.

In other volunteer news, Portland Youth Builders contributed this beautiful and inspirational addition to our warehouse:

"Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community."

Thank you PYB! You are truly an embodiment of this message.

The Gift of Volunteers!

Our United Villages has been very fortunate this month in receiving record numbers of volunteers! They come from many groups and some from across the state, but they all have one thing in common: being wonderful examples of energy, inspiration and generosity!

The volunteer program of Our United Villages is thriving thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who make this operation possible. We had a record high turn out to our bi-monthly after hours event this month. We had nearly thirty attendees and we needed every one! Thank you so much to these folks from the community who believe in our work. If you are interested in attending one of these events, you can sign up on the Hands-On Portland website by clicking here.

In addition, we would like to recognize the monumental presence of the Portland Youth Builders. Over 60 PYB students and staff joined The ReBuilding Center today for several hours to help with a wide variety of projects. They sorted tile, built racking for the lumber yard, organized the miscellaneous section and mounted pictures of ReUse genius for the Community Resource Area--among many other tasks of course. We are truly grateful for their energy, spirit and willingness to lend a hand! What a great group!

Portland Youth Builders at work.

Finally, we want to extend a huge thank you to the students of George Fox University from Newberg, Oregon. They generously chose to have an alternative winter break and spent it volunteering at The Rebuilding Center. The students worked tirelessly for four days organizing and salvaging materials in the warehouse. They left inspired to continue re-using and educating others in their own community about re-use.

George Fox University students in the offices of OUV.

Volunteering is a wonderful gift. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts. If you are interested in volunteering either as an individual or a group please contact the Volunteer Coordinator of Our United Villages at volunteer@ourunitedvillages.org or at 503.467.4985.

It Takes A Village--Get Involved!

There are many ways to get involved with Our United Villages: whether you want to volunteer in the warehouse, donate materials, bring your class or professional group for a tour, or inspire others with your ReUse creations, we encourage you to participate in a way that is meaningful for you.

A group of pre-k students touring the warehouse.

Here are some ideas:

Volunteer

Volunteer groups and individuals are invited to join us any day of the week during warehouse hours. Volunteer opportunities are varied, ranging from physically invigorating tasks to office work and outreach. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 503. 467.4985 or volunteer@ourunitedvillages.org or click here to learn more about the many volunteer opportunities at Our United Villages.

Donate or Purchase

To see a list of materials you can donate or purchase at The ReBuilding Center, click here! To learn more about how to donate or purchase materials click here.

Presentations and Tours

If you are interested in taking a tour or having us speak at your next meeting, lecture series, workshop or event, please feel free to contact us! 503.542.5051 or communications@ourunitedvillages.org

Inspire

Inspire others to reuse by submitting a photo and description of your reuse projects! You'll get a 10% discount on your next ReBuilding Center purchase and the good feeling that comes with sharing your creative energy to inspire others. Click here to learn more about the ReUse Ideas project and how you can get involved!

Volunteers beautifying the warehouse expansion.