County Boosts “Compassion Week”!
Through volunteer opportunities, participants can make a difference, expand their understanding of local needs.
SAN JOSE – The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to cosponsor this year’s 10th anniversary of Compassion Week (October 15 – 23). Compassion Week encourages individuals, groups and families to engage in acts of volunteer service to build a strong, compassionate, and empathetic community. Since its inception, more than 18,000 volunteers have participated in 975 Compassion Week projects/activities at 85 organizations on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.
“Compassion Week is a wonderful initiative. It brings folks together from all walks of life to build a stronger, more compassionate community,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian who proposed the County’s sponsorship of Compassion Week. “Bringing people together for 10 years in a row is no easy feat. I commend the Compassion Week team for their vision and dedication. I’m delighted our County can add its support to the effort. And I’m particularly pleased that my office and I can roll up our sleeves and help out on a range of projects.”
Compassion Week is a collaborative effort undertaken annually by the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation, Fremont Bank and multiple local faith communities, and now, Santa Clara County. Compassion Week activities bring people of all ages and abilities together to support more than 50 nonprofits focusing on basic needs such as food, shelter, education and homelessness as well as supporting veterans, older adults and environmental efforts.
“In the 10 years since Compassion Week started, we’ve had thousands of volunteers share their time and serve a wide spectrum of organizations supporting our community,” said Los Altos resident Jan McDaniel, chairperson and co-founder of Compassion Week. “We’re hoping to make an even bigger impact this year. We invite youth and adults, families with children, businesses, and groups of all types to participate in remote and in-person service projects throughout the area. The need in our community is great, but so is our combined ability to help.”
Compassion Week began as an initiative of the Los Altos United Methodist Church (LAUMC) in 2012 to encourage its congregation to engage in service and justice work as an expression of faith. The initiative has grown over the years, and now more than 80 percent of the more than 3,300 volunteers come from individuals and organizations not associated with LAUMC.
“Compassion Week has continually inspired local residents to volunteer and give for the past 10 years,” said Adin Miller, executive director of Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation. “We’re excited to partner and collaborate once again with Compassion Week, local nonprofits, and local residents to align hope and caring with our community.”
Compassion Week remote and in-person volunteer opportunities will be available in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and communities in South San Mateo County. Volunteer registration opens September 13, 2022 at compassionweeklosaltos.org.
Businesses and groups looking to get involved with Compassion Week can email [email protected] for more information.
“Compassion Week is a tonic for the soul. We can do good, feel good and have a lasting impact. How can you not feel good about that?” said Simitian.