[5]2015 Volunteer Expo [6],
The Standard Launches New Storytelling Project Profiling Oregon Volunteers
New #MyVolunteerStory video booth at The Standard’s Sept. 10 Volunteer Expo gives Portlanders a chance to share why they volunteer
Tomorrow, Oregon’s largest and longest running volunteer expo returns to Pioneer Courthouse Square for its seventh consecutive year. The Standard’s Volunteer Expo is a free event that brings more than 125 nonprofits together in one place, helping Portlanders discover volunteer and donation opportunities that fit their skills and interests.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Volunteer Expo attendees can meet with and learn about a wide variety of nonprofits that make a difference in the community. Participating organizations represent the arts, culture, the environment, animal welfare, human services and more.
New this year, The Standard will host a #MyVolunteerStory video booth for Portlanders to share their volunteer story and help raise awareness of the benefits and meaningful connections they’ve made volunteering. Videos will be housed on The Standard’s Volunteer Expo Vimeo page:httpss://vimeo.com/vexpostories [7]
“Giving back is a big part of our culture at The Standard,” said Greg Ness, chairman, president and CEO of The Standard. “We launched the Volunteer Expo seven years ago because we recognized that the biggest barrier to giving back is getting started. This year we wanted to do something to also celebrate the contributions Portlanders are making each and every day, so we created a video project to document the stories of Portland volunteers.”
In partnership with New Avenues for Youth [8], Ben & Jerry’s PartnerShop Scoop Shop will be back at the 2015 Volunteer Expo, offering a free scoop of ice cream to attendees who connect with five or more nonprofits during the event. Pick up a Connect Card on arrival at the event and collect stamps as you visit the nonprofit booths.
“For many organizations in Portland, volunteers are what keep them going,” said Keith Thomajan, CEO of the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette. “It is their lifeblood. This is true, too, for our region. We face several challenges that can’t be solved by donations alone. We need all of us to pitch in, to give time and share in the commitment to our community to make Portland the place we all want it to be.”
The Volunteer Expo also kicks off The Standard’s annual Employee Giving Campaign. The campaign takes place Sept. 14 through Oct. 2 and encourages company employees to support nonprofit organizations of their choosing. The Standard matches those contributions up to $5,000 per employee. Last year, employees and retirees raised more than $1.75 million (including The Standard’s dollar-for-dollar match), supporting more than 1,150 organizations.
The 2015 Volunteer Expo takes place Thursday, Sept. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.at Pioneer Courthouse Square, 701 SW Sixth Avenue. The event is open to the public and free of charge. Learn more at www.standard.com/volunteer.