For the Reporter
More than 300 local Comcast NBCUniversal employees and their families, friends and community partners “made change happen” as they volunteered last Saturday to improve the lives of those experiencing homelessness.
The 18th annual Comcast Cares Day is a reflection of the company’s spirit of volunteerism.
From using technology to create positive change, such as teaching digital literacy skills, to mentoring youth, to stocking food banks and beautifying parks, Comcast NBCUniversal employees volunteer to make a lasting impact. To date, more than one million Comcast Cares Day volunteers have contributed more than six million service hours to improve local communities at more than 10,000 projects.
“Comcast employs more than 4,800 people in Washington, and we are proud to work alongside our local communities to create a supportive environment and provide services to youth and those experiencing homelessness,” said Amy Lynch, senior vice president of Comcast Washington. “Together we can make a difference and that is what Comcast Cares Day is all about.”
Comcast volunteers revitalized the facilities at the Auburn Valley YMCA, where they painted picnic tables, planted flowers and vegetables, removed blackberry bushes along the fence line, trimmed vegetation and installed flooring for the facility’s ball pits.
“Community-based projects like these are great examples of how the people of Auburn partner together. When businesses, nonprofit groups and citizens work side-by-side to support our community, it makes our great city an even better place to live,” said Mayor Nancy Backus. “The Auburn Valley YMCA plays an important role in supporting our citizens, and I am happy to be here witnessing the improvements helping this great organization today. I want to also thank our local Comcast office, their families and others from across the community here volunteering, their work is an example of the strong community impact a group of people can have when coming together and working towards a common goal.”
Also last Saturday, Comcast volunteers from the Auburn office supported the Nexus Youth & Families center, where they organized and stocked the organization’s pantry and prepared food for local shelters and people experiencing homelessness in the area.
“The impact from Comcast Cares is immeasurable to our agency. They are able to accomplish chores that need to be done in such an efficient manner when there is not enough time in the day, week or month for the employees of our agency because we have to take care of the youth and families we are serving,” said development director of Nexus Youth & Families, Michael Jackson. “To be able to rely on Comcast staff is a blessing to any organization. They are not simply putting time in on a project, they are engaged with the agency’s employees and the clients being served. Comcast really cares.”
The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation will also provide grants to local partner organizations on behalf of volunteers who contributed their time on Comcast Cares Day. The grants will help Comcast’s partners continue their mission of serving the community throughout the year. To date, the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation has awarded nearly $25 million in grants to local nonprofit organizations who have served as partners on Comcast Cares Day.
Mayor Nancy Backus and Terry Davis, senior director of Government Affairs for Comcast, worked with volunteers at the Auburn Valley YMCA. COURTESY PHOTO, Comcast
Michael Jackson, development director of Nexus Youth & Families, foreground, and volunteers performed chores at its Auburn center during Comcast Cares Day. COURTESY PHOTO, Comcast
