Community Service
Thank You for 30 Inspiring Days of Service
Some incredible stories have come out of our second annual Global Month of Service, a 30-day event that mobilized partners (employees) and customers from around the globe to make a difference in their communities.
In Nashville, Tenn., 500 volunteers collectively donated 2,000 hours of service to transform a tract of land impacted by the city’s 2010 floods into a working and teaching urban farm. The new farm will host afterschool youth programs and provide food for citizens in need.
The Power of an Hour
Each of us knows how to make the best of an hour, particularly when every minute counts. An hour might be all it takes to get the laundry done, to squeeze in a workout, to cram for a test or to generally lead us closer to achieving our own personal goals.
But that brief unit of time can also make a world of difference in the life of another or in the health of a community. For Starbucks second annual Global Month of Service, we challenge you to harness the power of the hour throughout April to help your community thrive.
60,000 Volunteers, 30 Countries, 30 Days
The Results Are In! One act of kindness can make a world of difference. In April 2011, nearly 60,000 Starbucks partners (employees), customers, community members and nonprofit organizations from across 30 countries on four continents joined together in their local neighborhoods to be a catalyst for change and make a positive impact in people’s lives.
From gardening and painting projects, to building irrigation and rubbish management systems, to refurbishing schools and renovating parks, these passionate volunteers transformed communities in need and helped spark a sense of pride and ownership in all those involved.
Education was an important component of this service and how it will be maintained over time. For example, volunteers in Shanghai helped educate residents on leading environmentally conscious lifestyles. In London, young people engaged in leadership training to help empower them to be change makers in their hometowns across the United Kingdom.
Shanghai: Community Helps Transform Gumei
As part of our Shanghai Leadership Conference, more than 650 Starbucks partners (employees) from across China participated in our Global Month of Service in the Gumei community of Shanghai’s Minhang District. The partners were joined in their efforts by 100 members of the community. Starbucks partnered with Charyou to identify the service projects for the Shanghai event. Starbucks and Charyou have also produced community events in four other Chinese cities including Shenzhen, Chengdu, Beijing and Guangzhou.
Vancouver: Making a Difference in People’s Lives
On Saturday, April 30, more than 350 Starbucks partners and neighbors in Vancouver, British Columbia, worked hand-in-hand to revitalize the Strathcona Community Centre. It was a day of inspiration, action and celebration – all demonstrating the power of people coming together for good.
Volunteers renovated gardens, including the Centre’s “Sunshine Patch” – see the before and after photos! They also created an education area, painted a mural and built secure storage solutions.
Seattle: 700 Neighbors Spruced Up Schools and Parks
For the final event of the Starbucks Global Month of Service, partners and community members from Seattle and surrounding communities joined together to benefit the Mount Baker neighborhood. The rain stayed away and some sun came through, helping to fuel the excitement of the volunteers.
Through the help of over 700 partners, customers and community members, projects were completed at John Muir Elementary School, Franklin High School, Cheasty Greenspace, Mount Baker Park and Estelle Street P-Patch.
Were you there? Tell us your favorite part!
The Front Porch of Our Community
I once heard that the definition of “community” in the 1950s was sitting on your porch swing, sipping pink lemonade and waving at neighbors as they passed by. I know now that Starbucks also serves as a front porch and our stores are part of a community where people come to congregate, to mingle, to get involved!
Since high school, I’ve been passionate about my community and giving back to those who are in need – whether it was to restore trails or raise money doing charity events. When I came to work at Starbucks 13 years ago, I was excited to find a company that shared my passion for the community and I’ve been inspired to do more.
Starbucks has enabled me to work with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, where I watched a mother help build a house for her family that was still living in Kenya. I experienced the emotions of young single mothers who received a safe and clean place to live through Vine Maple Place, an organization much like Habitat.
New York: Lending a Hand in the Harlem Community
Despite gray skies and ongoing rain, there was great enthusiasm among the 500+ Starbucks partners, customers, community members and local organizations. Service projects took place within a 20 block radius and helped transform parts of the West Harlem and Morningside Heights neighborhoods.
Projects included: planting and beautifying Morningside Park, packing kits and creating cards at Harlem Children’s Zone, revitalizing school grounds at the Hugo Newman College Preparatory School, installing a student mural with the Abyssinian Development Corporation’s (ADC) Youth Build, painting and creating murals at the transitional family center, The Abby House, and hosting a social gathering for seniors at the ADC’s Abyssinian Tower.
Were you at this event? Tell us your favorite part!
Toronto: We Helped Plant Community Gardens
On April 16, rain, high winds and cold Canadian air didn’t stop 750 Starbucks partners (employees), customers, community members and representatives of local organizations from helping to revitalize a community in need during our Toronto Global Month of Service event.
The event was part of a collaborative environmentally focused plan to help create sustainable community gardens designed to give residents a sense of pride in their homes. Service projects included building and installing gardens around the property, planting trees, constructing a rain catchment system and paving access walkways.
See other community revitalization efforts stories here.
Were you at this event? Tell us your favorite part!
Los Angeles: Crenshaw High School Revitalized
At our Los Angeles event on April 9 for the Global Month of Service, more than 600 Starbucks partners (employees) and customers engaged in meaningful projects. During this event, Starbucks volunteers revitalized three school campuses to help create a better learning environment for thousands of students.
The great work we accomplished at Crenshaw High School included painting murals with the school mascot, landscaping the campus grounds by pulling invasive plants, and repainting columns and walls to help improve the campus.
Were you at this event? Tell us your favorite part!
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