Opportunities From: City of Sammamish

Let's Overwhelm the Staff with Gratitude!

May is the month we demonstrate that we love the staff.  However, every day, the staff at Echo shows up for our at-risk and traumatized youth from all over the state. Though Echo is often short-handed and staff get paid less than for profit work, they stay despite the emotional & physical challenges and remain deeply committed to helping young lives be rewritten.

Let’s remind them they are not alone. This May, we are inviting our entire community to ensure every staff member feels seen, valued, and appreciated.

Write a Note: Send heartfelt cards or notes of encouragement to brighten a staff member’s shift.

Share a Treat: Provide home-baked goods or prepackaged snacks for a much-needed energy boost.

Adopt-a-Cottage: We have 9 cottages on campus. Your group, church, or business can “adopt” one by providing a basket filled with snacks, relaxation items, and wellness gifts.  MORE DETAILS HERE

Spread the Word: Invite your local clubs, businesses, or faith communities to join the effort!

Have a creative idea? We’d love to hear it. Whether you want to volunteer, donate, or suggest a new way to celebrate the staff, we want to hear from you.

Where to Send Cards & Gifts:  (Echo Glen cannot receive these items directly.)

Friends of Echo Glen

704 228th Ave NE, #204

Sammamish, WA 98074

Ready to help? Email Us  to coordinate your contribution or volunteer.

Together, let’s show the staff they aren’t just employees—they are community heroes.

Tax Information:

Friends of Echo Glen is a DBA under Smile Power’s 501(c)(3) (Tax ID: 91-2010740). Your donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Join the City to help remove noxious weeds at Lower Commons Park. Give back to your community, learn about native plants and enhance wildlife habitat!

We will meet near the Lower Commons Community Garden. 

How to to sign up - New to Galaxy or has it been a while since you volunteered with us? Learn how to register for galaxy, complete waivers and sign up for events HERE

Direct Link to Minor Waiver Direct Link to Adult Waiver

Who can volunteer: This project is perfect for individuals, or families (12+) and groups/organizations looking for service projects/hours and students looking to complete community service hours for school. 

Minor Volunteers: all volunteers 13 or younger must have an adult/parent/guardian/chaperone attend and directly supervise them. If part of a group we recommend at least 1 adult per 15 minors.

What we provide: Water, snacks, gloves and tools will be provided.

What to wear: Please dress appropriately for weather, (rain gear, dress in layers) and wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes, preferably those suitable for hiking (e.g. hiking boots/shoes  with good tread & ankle support) and clothes you don't mind getting dirty. 

What to bring: Rain jacket, Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, work gloves (not required, but you can bring your own).

Reduce Waste: All volunteers should also bring a full, refillable water bottle. We will have a water refill station on site (Compostable cups will be provided for those that don't have them or forget.)

CANCELLATION POLICY: Please note, that volunteer events occurring on the weekends will now require a minimum of 10-15 total sign ups and those occurring on weekdays require a minimum of 7-10. We ask that you only register for events you plan on attending. If you are unable to attend an event you are registered for please deregister from the event or email the event lead to let them know. This helps us get an accurate account of attendance. Please check your emails or your volunteer dashboard for any updates (we will send out an email blast if an event is cancelled.)

Volunteers will work on a habitat restoration project started as part of the Bee City Initiative. Come help establish a wild pollinator meadow at Evans Creek Preserve by prepping the next area for planting. Give back to your community, learn about native plants and enhance wildlife habitat! This event will be focused on removing and covering reed canary grass dominated areas to prepare them for planting.

Due to limited parking - sign ups are REQUIRED. If you are not on our list you will not be permitted to volunteer.

How to to sign up - New to Galaxy or has it been a while since you volunteered with us? Learn how to register for galaxy, complete waivers and sign up for events HERE

Direct Link to Minor Waiver Direct Link to Adult Waiver

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. 

Minor Volunteers: all volunteers 13 or younger must have an adult/parent/guardian/chaperone attend and directly supervise them. If part of a group we recommend at least 1 adult per 15 minors.

What we provide: Water, snacks, gloves and tools will be provided.

What to wear: Please dress appropriately for weather, (rain gear, dress in layers) and wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes, preferably those suitable for hiking (e.g. hiking boots/shoes  with good tread & ankle support) and clothes you don't mind getting dirty. 

What to bring: Rain jacket, Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, work gloves (not required, but you can bring your own).

Reduce Waste: All volunteers should also bring a full, refillable water bottle. We will have a water refill station on site (Compostable cups will be provided for those that don't have them or forget.)

Meeting Place & Parking

Volunteers should meet near restrooms, between markers 1 & 15 (see map). Please also note that Evan's Creek Preserve has an upper (off Sahalee Way) and Lower (off HWY 202) entrance. Please make sure you navigate to the Lower entrance (off HWY 202).

Parking: Parking is extremely limited. Please plan to meet at a nearby public parking lot and carpool to the site or arrange for drop off/pick up.

If the parking lot is full, you may park anywhere in the neighborhood, WHERE IT IS PERMITTED & SAFE TO DO SO. Please do not block mailboxes, fire hydrants, driveways or roads. Please note any "no parking signs" and do not park within 50 feet of the intersection of Hwy 202 and 224th Ave.

The Sammamish Botanical Garden Society needs volunteers to help plant and weed the garden. Bring your gloves, a bucket, hand tools (don't worry, we've got some to share!), and plenty of water to keep hydrated. Parking is limited.  There are public restrooms next to the Heritage Garden. Parental consent is required for minors to volunteer, and waiver forms will be available at the garden. Have questions? Reach out to us at heritage@sammamishbotanical.org. Thank you for your help!

The Sammamish Botanical Garden Society needs volunteers to help plant and weed the garden. Bring your gloves, a bucket, hand tools (don't worry, we've got some to share!), and plenty of water to keep hydrated. Parking is limited.  There are public restrooms next to the Heritage Garden. Parental consent is required for minors to volunteer, and waiver forms will be available at the garden. Have questions? Reach out to us at heritage@sammamishbotanical.org. Thank you for your help!

ALL Roads are currently FULL. However you may still complete an interest form and be added to the waitlist. Before applying, please review the information below to ensure you are able to meet the minimum requirements.

Adopters are required to host 2 cleanups per year to qualify for a nameplate with their organization or group name. Upon receiving a nameplate, they must then clean their route a minimum of 2x/yr to remain in good standing and retain their nameplate.

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.

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.

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: