Supporting environmental stewardship: National Volunteer Week 2024

In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 21-27), PEMCO employees came together to support three local nonprofits who are doing critical work in environmental stewardship. Braving the weather and weeds, we loved every minute spent together supporting three very special organizations serving the Pacific Northwest.    
 
This year, we partnered with Schoolhouse Supplies, Habitat for Humanity Spokane, and EarthGen. They each share our commitment to our community Y.E.S. focus area of Environment, and it was an honor to support their efforts.  

Schoolhouse Supplies (Portland, OR)  

Schoolhouse Supplies was founded to provide free school supplies to students and their teachers in the most under-resourced schools in our community, but also to keep extra or unused supplies out of the waste stream. Approximately 75% of the products donated to teachers and schools are reclaimed, surplus, or gently used products that would otherwise be discarded.  
 
How we supported their mission: At this Portland organization, PEMCO employees organized school supply inventory and counted over 2,600 used books to get them into the hands of teachers (and keep them out of the landfill!). 
 

Habitat for Humanity (Deer Park, WA)   

Habitat for Humanity Spokane helps build sustainable, affordable homes for families. Every Habitat-Spokane home is built with environmentally conscious construction practices, energy efficiency, and water conservation in mind. A Habitat-Spokane home not only provides a strong foundation for families, but also produces a ripple effect that revitalizes our neighborhoods by raising property values and supporting surrounding businesses.  
 
How we supported their mission: PEMCO employes had the opportunity to put the finishing touches on four sustainably-built homes in the Hope Meadows neighborhood, including installing new landscaping, sweeping, moving appliances, and more! 

EarthGen (Seattle, WA)  

Through EarthGen’s action-oriented programs, students gain the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to become leaders for climate solutions. EarthGen's Rain Garden Program supports STEM education as students design and engineer and build each project. Rain gardens capture gray water runoff from roads, which is the largest source of polluted water due to car tires and oils and is deadly for our local salmon and wildlife.  

How we supported their mission: At Rising Star Elementary in Seattle, PEMCO employees helped remove over 30 bags of invasive ivy and spread hundreds of yards of mulch. These efforts supported the health of the school wetland and “outdoor classroom” for student learning. 

As an organization, we’re excited, honored, and proud to connect and collaborate through volunteerism. Our shared commitment to our region, our people, and our planet is what brings us together as employees, partners, and neighbors.  
 

 
Learn more about our commitment Mutual Good and what it means to us here.