The Arlington Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Day: A Celebration of Community Spirit
The Annual Event: A Tradition of Giving Back
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce hosted their 26th Annual Volunteer Day on Friday, April 11, in an effort to promote community service and bring together local businesses and nonprofits. Over 200 volunteers from member businesses volunteered at 14 nonprofit organizations, performing a range of services to support those in need.
- DIY PVC pipe cat and dog beds for the Animal Welfare League
- Helping seniors declutter for Arlington Neighborhood Village
- Organizing the food pantry for the Bridges to Independence Sullivan House Shelter
The day began with a kickoff lunch hosted by the Crystal City Sports Pub, providing an opportunity for volunteers to meet and connect with each other before heading out to their assigned tasks. An exciting addition to the volunteer work this year was the inclusion of free one-on-one-financial counseling sessions with Chamber member financial advisors for individuals who have been impacted by recent federal government reductions or are concerned that they may be affected. “ It’s one more way our businesses are stepping up to meet the evolving needs of our community,” said Kate Bates, Arlington Chamber President. The initiative aims to provide essential support to those in need, underscoring the importance of community partnerships in addressing social and economic challenges.
A Volunteer’s Perspective: Filling Baby Boxes for New Moms
At the Thrive organization, volunteers were busy filling 50 baby boxes with a range of essential items for new mothers. According to Melanie Anderson, Executive Director of Thrive, the organization had eight volunteers signed up for the afternoon but was surprised when 15 showed up, completing their tasks in half the time.
- Specialty items such as baby blankets, nursing pads, and educational toys
- Diapers and wipes
- Teething rings
The volunteers also created “Congratulations” cards to ensure the new mothers felt excited about their new baby. As Anderson explained, “The mothers are focused on essentials and don’t have money for toys. These cards bring a smile to their faces and remind them that they are not alone.”
A Visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington
Meanwhile, the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington was hosting 10 volunteers to clean and paint two classrooms. Josh Rothman from Support Strategies said, “We cleaned out the rooms — took everything out, checked magic markers to be sure they still worked, sharpened pencils, painted the walls, and marked up by kids.” Denise Bing from the Arlington Community Federal Credit Union and Alisa Hill from Mastercard were both first-time volunteers.
“I had fun; I’d do this again,”
said Alisa Hill. Lia Ferro, Educational Program Manager for the Museum, noted that their organization has been participating in the Chamber Volunteer Day for several years, highlighting the event’s importance for their institution.
A Celebration of Community Spirit
Kate Bates emphasized, “This event is a long-standing tradition that highlights the incredible impact our business community makes when they come together to serve. Over the past 26 years, this event has led to meaningful and lasting partnerships between businesses and nonprofits, strengthening our local nonprofit sector and enriching the Arlington community.”
| **Total Volunteer Hours:** | 2500+ |
| **Number of Nonprofit Organizations:** | 14 |
| **Number of Volunteers:** | 220+ |
The Arlington Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Day is a testament to the power of community spirit and the impact that businesses and nonprofits can have when working together to support those in need. As the event comes to a close, it is clear that the benefits of this partnership will be felt for years to come.