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Hundreds of Home Depot Foundation volunteers unite to transform The Salvation Army Cathedral City Dick and Beverly Davis Center and neighboring Veterans Village.
On Oct. 24, 410 volunteers from The Home Depot Foundation disembarked from transport buses, applied sunscreen and hydrated—eager to beat the desert heat in California’s Coachella Valley.
The mission? To beautify The Salvation Army Cathedral City Dick and Beverly Davis Center along with the nearby Veterans Village housing community—locations that were chosen for The Home Depot Foundation renovation and upgrade and as co-recipients of a $200,000 beautification grant.
The Home Depot volunteers came as employees, vendors and tradespeople from all over the U.S. for the event—one of the final activities of their three-day national conference.
Volunteers arrived with pre-selected teams based on the projects they would assist with. Some geared up to paint walls and murals while others prepared to construct benches, picnic tables, plant stands and patio furniture.
Before the projects commenced, Major Neil Navarro, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army Cathedral City Dick and Beverly Davis Center with his wife, Major Rubina Navarro, spoke to the crowd, highlighting the similar slogans of The Home Depot and The Salvation Army.
“It’s interesting because The Salvation Army’s slogan right now is ‘Doing the Most Good.’ And it’s fascinating to me that The Home Depot has a similar slogan. And that is, ‘How Doers Get More Done,’ and so, in essence, by doing the most good, we are getting more done,” he said.
The teams kicked off construction just after 8 a.m. with shared goals of reaching local veterans and community members in need. Around 24 projects were simultaneously in progress at The Salvation Army. Meanwhile, volunteers assisting at Veterans Village constructed garden beds with shade-providing plants and installed umbrellas and seating areas around the pool.
Projects were completed six hours later.
“It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of,” said Rubina Navarro. “We’re so thankful for these volunteers coming from all across the country to help with these upgrades.”
Volunteers with The Home Depot Foundation actively participate in community events and projects as part of their continued partnership with 365 Connect, a nonprofit that aims to connect corporations and donors with other nonprofit organizations to bring community change.
Lori Zito, a Southern California project and development consultant, worked to establish the connection between The Salvation Army, 365 Connect, The Home Depot Foundation and the city Planning Department, contributing to a smooth and successful collaboration.
Zito said the groups were initially only looking at projects at Veterans Village.
“I informed them that The Salvation Army was right across the street and told them, ‘They are amazing. They do so much for the veterans and other organizations, and they need the help,’” she said. “They agreed to work on both properties.”
During the planning stages, the teams pieced together a list of projects they had in mind— from adding shaded covers to replacing carpet with vinyl flooring in the social services office, to developing a seated area outside of Mr. Willard’s Closet, the corps veteran and community closet.
ToolBank Disaster Services, a nonprofit organization specializing in sharing tools, was present on-site and provided the required equipment for most projects.
“It’s an entirely collaborative effort,” said Neil Navarro. “For every hammer used, for every plant planted, or every item laid down, it will be seen as evidence of the hard work done by these dedicated and selfless volunteers.”
According to Zito, making these spaces more inviting and home-like is the overall goal.
“People should walk inside and think, ‘Oh, this is beautiful; it feels like home,’” she said. “It goes beyond the basics and lets people know they are welcomed and important.”
According to Home Depot Foundation volunteer Jessica Goldbaum, the most rewarding way to get involved is by contributing time and skills toward these initiatives.
“It’s really just a lot of fun,” said Goldbaum, as she painted a mural in the dining hall. “It means a lot to me to be in this position where I can make an area feel more like home and more inviting to the next person that comes in.”
Goldbaum, who traveled from New Jersey, said this was her first time participating in a community beautification project, and it was even more exciting than she anticipated.
“You think about working outside and dedicating your time, and for some, it doesn’t sound like a good time,” Goldbaum said. “But once you’re here around other people doing the same thing, it feels good knowing that you’re a part of something big and just having fun doing it.”
Finding joy in serving others is what Home Depot Foundation Senior Philanthropist Heather Prill loves to see from the volunteers. She said the impact these projects bring goes beyond the recipients, as it empowers hundreds of volunteers to get involved and bring positive change.
“Our volunteers come to these events, and they typically leave feeling uplifted and motivated to continue to get involved in ways that benefit their community or even a community across the country,” said Prill.
Home Depot Foundation volunteer Harold Weber is one of them— he said he’s eager to lend a helping hand whenever given the opportunity.
“You never know whose life you may touch by doing something good,” he said. “What may take a few hours of my time is worth the timeless impact a renovation can bring.”
Do Good:
- Whether it’s through opportunities with The Salvation Army or elsewhere, your gifts are needed. You are needed.
If you choose to cultivate these nine habits of impactful volunteers, you will make a difference in the lives of others. When you strive to do good, you help build a safer world for all and give others a lasting display of the love behind your beliefs. Get the guide on How To Be An Impactful Volunteer and join us in Doing Good today. - Need some extra motivation to do good today? Follow Caring Magazine on Instagram for inspiring stories, podcasts and more to get you in the Fight for Good.
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