Opportunities From: City of Sammamish

Monday, January 19th is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service - a National Day of Service that takes place on the third Monday of January each year. The day honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and encourages Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. While Dr. Martin Luther King Jr did not directly advocate for conservation of natural areas, he fought against environmental injustices including fighting for equal access to parks and green spaces during the height of segregation and cleaner working conditions for sanitation workers. Today many environmental advocates count him among the people responsible for today’s thriving environmental justice movement. His words continue to inspire movements seeking equal access to clean water, safe parks, and more for many different communities. Learn More

The City of Sammamish invites you to join us at Pine Lake Park to remove and mulch over noxious weeds while celebrating the privilege of having access to a vibrant parks system.

Sign up details: Please only sign up for one shift - if you plan on coming for the full day, please sign up for the full day shift not both am/pm shifts.

Who can volunteer: This project is perfect for individuals, or families (8+) and groups/organizations looking for service projects/hours and students looking to complete community service hours for school.

What we provide: Water, snacks, gloves and tools will be provided. Please dress appropriately for outdoor work in cold weather including dressing in layers, wear long sleeves/pants and closed-toed shoes.

What to bring: If you sign up for the 11 am - 3:30 pm shift (4 hours) please bring a bag lunch (only light snacks will be provided otherwise).

Reduce Waste: All volunteers should also bring a full, refillable water bottle and may also bring a travel mug for hot drinks. (Compostable cups will be provided for those that don't have them or forget.)

Please note as of November 21st we have updated our waivers - you will need to complete a JotForm waiver if you have not done so already. If you have already completed a JotForm waiver you can upload a copy to the galaxy to requalify. 

Sign up is REQUIRED for this event. Sign ups close 2-3 days before the scheduled event. If you miss the deadline - please reach out to the event supervisor to see if you can still join. Walk-ups for individuals are permitted, but those that are part of a larger group should first confirm we have space and supplies by contacting us

ALL volunteers are required to have a valid waiver on file. If you do not have one, you or your parent/guardian will be required to complete one before volunteering at the event.

Please note there is a difference between signing up for the galaxy site and signing up for a specific event. Signing up for galaxy collects your basic information, you will still need to sign up for each event you are interested in attending. There is also a different process based on the age of the volunteer(s). We have provided a summary of how to signup below.

If you have any issues or become confused, you can reach out to us at fsanchez@sammamish.us or sritacco@sammamish.us (please cc both of us for fastest response).

If you have already have a galaxy account and have completed a waivers

Login into your Galaxy account

Respond to the opportunity 

 Click "Respond" if you are an individual either volunteering alone, or volunteering with a team, but registering yourself.

Click "Respond as team" if you are...A team leader and are registering with team. You can add team members by email if they have a galaxy account or by reserving slots. Please note, each person in a slot must have a valid waiver on file. If they have not volunteered with us in 2026 AND do not have a galaxy account, their parent/ guardian will need to complete one for them. Direct Link to Minor Waiver
A parent/guardian attending with an minor. You may add any minor 14 and over as a team member by email(they must first create their own account and you will need to sign their waiver). For each minor under 14, you can reserve a slot. Please note all volunteers under 14 are required to have a parent with them. Parents/guardians must have a waiver completed for themselves AND for each of their children.

Direct Link to Minor Waiver

If this is your first time volunteering for the city,Quick Summary - Volunteer Ages and Waiver Requirements

Volunteers 18+ Must have/create a Galaxy account and complete their own waiver on Galaxy. You only need to sign and date the form before submitting.

Volunteers 14-17 - Can have/create their own Galaxy account. Parent/guardian must complete a waiver (have them next to you when you register OR email them the link provided in the directions below). You must have them complete this to being able to sign up for an event.

Volunteers 13 and under - Parents/guardians/team leaders must create an account for themselves and respond as a team with a reserved slot for each kid. Volunteers 13 and under should be accompanied by a parent guardian. A digital waiver must be completed for each kid. At the event we will check that we have a valid waiver on file for them.

Direct Link to Minor Waiver

Direct Link to Adult Waiver

Step-by-step - How to create an account and registering for an event for the first time based on volunteer age.

Adults 18+ AND Parents/Guardians/Team Leaders with Minors Under 14

Create an account for yourself

Complete an ADULT WAIVER for yourself and upload a copy to Galaxy (Click your profile photo find "qualifications", click link above (or follow link provided), complete waiver and click "upload file"

After completing the waiver for yourself you can then respond to the opportunity 

Click "Respond" if you are an individual either volunteering alone, or volunteering with a team, but registering yourself.

Click "Respond as team" if you are...

A team leader (14+) and are registering a team. You can add team members by email if they have a galaxy account or by reserving slots. Please note, each person in a reserved slot must have a valid waiver on file. If they have not volunteered with us in 2026, their parent/ guardian will need to complete one for them. Please be sure to share this link with them: Direct Link to Minor Waiver

A parent/guardian attending with an minor under 14. Please note all volunteers under 14 are required to have a parent with them. Parents/guardians must have a waiver completed for themselves AND for each of their children. Direct Link to Minor Waiver

Please be sure to have all waivers completed before the day of the event. We will have waivers on site to complete, but a parent/guardian must be present to complete them.

Youth between 14 - 17 years old

Create an account (it is helpful to have a parent with you at this time to complete the waiver portion for you).

You can find the qualifications page by clicking your profile picture, selecting "qualifications" from the dropdown and then clicking on the link to the waivers that is provided.  On the page that pops up navigate to "Additional Resources" and click "Youth Volunteer Agreement". Have your parent complete this and download a copy. If you emailed the link to them, please be sure they send you back a copy.

Once your parent has completed the waiver you will need to upload it to the qualifications. You are now ready to sign up for any City of Sammamish events. 

Find the event you're interested in signing up for and click "respond"  .Note: Your waiver will remain valid for 3 years, so you only need to have your parents fill out a waiver once for now.  You will be notified if your waiver has expired and provided with steps on how to complete it again.

All Digital volunteer forms are located at: Ways to Volunteer under "Additional Resources (left hand side)Direct Link to Minor Waiver

Direct Link to Adult Waiver

Considering investing your time in the appreciative youth at Echo Glen? Staff give orientations to potential volunteers the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 5:30 PM.  You will learn about the parameters of working with the kids and be able to ask all your questions during this approximately 1.5 hour meeting. You may fill out a volunteer application at the end of the session if you like or email anytime for the application.

Many many more good adult  role models are needed for all the various activities that we hope to provide for the youth so thank you for considering joining us!

Must be over 21 years old.

RSVP for an upcoming orientation HERE.  Questions? Email Us

COOKING - This has always been one of the residents favorite activities! Most residents have never learned basic cooking skills. More details HERE.

Gardening - Springtime planting: help the residents learn how to grow some of the foods & herbs that they cook with. More HERE.

Staff the FISHop Gift Shop at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery. Process sales transactions and answer questions about salmon conservation, hatchery operations, and watershed stewardship.

Commitment: 8+ hours

The City currently has several roads available for adoption. Adopters are required to host 2 cleanups per year to qualify for a nameplate with their organization or group name.

Requirements: 

minimum two member/participants (for safety)

participants must be 14 or over (except with written consent from the city)

all participants are required to sign a waiver and consent form

youth groups must have a group leader that is aged 18+ who is able to sign the agreement form

adopters must commit to doing 2 cleanups per year to retain sign

Eligible Groups

If you’re interested in adopting a road please visit https://www.sammamish.us/our-community/volunteer/adopt-a-road/ for more information and to fill out an Adopt-A-Road Interest Form.

Lead educational tours of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery to teach students and public groups about salmon conservation, hatchery fish operations, and watershed stewardship.

Commitment: 18+ hours

Make a difference in the life of a child: become a LINKS Elementary Lunch Buddy. A mentor is someone who serves as a friend, coach, role model or guide. In the LINKS Lunch Buddy Program, we bring students together with caring adults. Mentors come during school hours once a week and spend the lunch hour in a pre-assigned area to eat, play games, make crafts, talk and do other agreed-upon activities. Mentors provide social-emotional support to students who need a little extra one-on-one attention. Studies have shown that children with mentors are more likely to succeed.

Can you invest a couple hours in the youth just twice a month?  We need 20+ new volunteers to come on Saturdays or Sundays at a time that works best for you. The residents thrive on being listened to and interpret your time as demonstrating that you care about them and expect that they have a positive future ahead of them. This is a much needed boost to their low self-esteem.

In addition to boosting their self-esteem, playing board games:

Must be over 21 years old and pass a background check

Transporting local seniors to healthcare and other appointments. Requests are posted with location and duration so volunteer can choose rides that work with their schedule. Clients all live in Sammamish or Issaquah. Majority of destinations are in Sammamish, Issaquah and Bellevue.  Drivers must be 21+ and will use their own vehicle.

Please come and help us to feed our community.  There are varied roles and shift times. 

Please check our website www.issaquahfoodbank.org/volunteer

All volunteers must be fully vaccinated - please bring proof of vaccination on your first shift.

Minimum age to volunteer is 16.  Please note all 16-17 year olds must be accompanied by a parent who is also signed up to volunteer.

Have questions?  Please email me Lisa Haynes lisa@issaquahfoodbank.org

Thank you,

Lisa

Are you a high school student interested in helping out the community, and getting volunteer hours while you're at it? Come volunteer at Kids Coming Together! We host virtual and in-person (limited capacity, social distancing, and masks) events for children to help them make friends and have fun. If you are a high school student who works well with kids, we would love your help! Go to https://kidscomingtogether.org/ to sign up, and find out more!

Imagine Housing is looking for passionate, diverse and engaged individuals to join our Young Professionals Board. Imagine Housing’s mission is to develop affordable housing, build welcoming communities, and foster vibrant futures.

The Imagine Housing Young Professionals Board (YPB) is comprised of like-minded individuals in their 20s and 30s that are passionate about advocacy and promoting economic equality through affordable housing in the Eastside community. The YPB supports Imagine Housing’s mission through advocacy activities, volunteer projects and fundraising.

For more information, check out YPB's webpage: https://imaginehousing.org/about/young-professionals-board/

Many residents depend on resources from community partners to stay healthy and provide for their families. Volunteers work with our community partners and on-site staff to ensure residents are able to receive the resources they need! Our current volunteer needs are: