NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
This Week:
Growing Veterans Volunteer Day
UW Bothell Husky 5k
The Whidbey Island Marathon
Volunteers Wanted for Shorebird Breeding Survey
Habitat for Humanity
The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce
Penn Cove Water Festival
Town of Coupeville Annual Spring Clean-up Day
Island Senior Resources
North Whidbey Little League
Growing Veterans Volunteer Day
Contact Info:
Michael@growingveterans.org (360) 553-3577x2
Time: Every Saturday 10am-2pm(April-October)
Place: 765 Wonn Road, Greenbank (Behind all the buildings up on the hill to the left)
About Us: (Growingveterans.org) We are a non-profit organization based in mental health wellness through farming and gardening. We help build community through shared purpose and belonging using dirt therapy as a way to connect with the land and each other.
What to expect: We typically do a quick check-in then we get started with a variety of activities ranging from weeding garden beds to pruning tomatoes and cucumbers depending on the time of year it is.
What to bring: Gloves, water and wear whatever you don't mind getting dirty
UW Bothell Husky 5k
The Office of Alumni Engagement of University of Washington, Bothell is looking for your support to serve as a course marshal for one of our campus’ community signature events: The UW Bothell Husky 5k! The Husky 5k is a family-friendly walk/run that weaves the participants through the UW Bothell campus and through downtown Bothell, circling them back to end right where they started in the Plaza. This event brings in close to 1,000 participants to our campus – varying from alumni, UW alumni, community members, students, faculty/staff, and friends of UW Bothell. We couldn’t make this event as successful as it is without volunteers to support the day-of atmosphere and logistics.
The Husky 5k is on Saturday, May 11; course marshals will need to arrive by 8AM and are released of duty by 11AM. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer – please visit the following link to learn more:
https://forms.office.com/r/zvaBfTJd7P
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to tsaianny@uw.edu!
P.S. – If anyone would like to run the race instead, they can use code “NAVY” for $5 off, use this link to register:
https://www.uwb.edu/alumni/events/5krun
The Whidbey Island Marathon
The Whidbey Island Marathon is happening this Sunday, 27 April, and is looking for volunteers for race day. Volunteers are needed to assist with packet pickup, gear check, medal distribution, and more. If interested and available, use the following link to sign up and join the team.
https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/WA/OakHarbor/RunWhidbey
Volunteers Wanted for Shorebird Breeding Survey
The Salish Sea Guillemot Network seeks volunteers to monitor breeding colonies of Pigeon Guillemots for one hour weekly, primarily at three locations on Whidbey Island Naval Air Station--Cliffside, Maylor Point, and Forbes Point. Opportunities at other breeding colonies elsewhere on Whidbey Island might be available as well.
Pigeon Guillemots are a vital indicator species of the Salish Sea ecosystem’s overall health. The survey’s data provided by our monitoring program can give researchers insight into long-term trends in the condition of many interrelated species in our region. See more information at http://www.pigeonguillemot.org/.
Here's what’s involved: Following two short training sessions, volunteers will be assigned to a site and, for one hour each week from early June through early September, they will sit at a spot on the shoreline to monitor, count, and record the behaviors of these charming, sociable birds (like Puffins, they are part of the Auk family). The online training will be conducted Wednesday, May 14, from 1900 to 2030. The on-the-beach training is on Wednesday, May 28, from 0800 to 0900.
To explore volunteer opportunities, please contact by email (preferred), phone or text to Debbi Williams, Whidbey Pigeon Guillemot Volunteer Coordinator at 360-929-1977, email rob.deb3197@gmail.com.
The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce
5 volunteers May 2
nd 5:30-7:30pm to chalk the booths (measure and mark 10x10 booth slots)
5 volunteers May 3
rd 6:30-10am Direct vendor traffic during setup
2 volunteers May 3
rd 5-6pm Day one clean up
8 volunteers May 4
th 5-7pm Clean up and vendor tear down
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Habitat for Humanity - Whidbey Island
Help Build Homes and Hope!
Habitat for Humanity of Island County needs volunteers to support affordable housing on Whidbey Island. No construction experience? No problem—we provide training, tools, and safety gear. Join us to make a difference!
Opportunities:
Construction: Help build homes (ages 18+). Tasks vary; no skills required.
Other Roles: Assist at Habitat Stores or events (details upon sign-up).
Prerequisites:
Must be 18+ for construction.
Submit a 2023 Volunteer Waiver and Background Check Release (sent after registration).
Complete a Volunteer Orientation (Wednesdays at 2:00 PM or by arrangement).
How to Join:
Register at islandcountyhabitat.org/volunteer/volunteer-shifts/.
Await clearance email with shift sign-up instructions.
Pick a shift via the “Choose a Shift” page.
What to Bring:
Weather-appropriate, durable clothing.
Closed-toe shoes.
Water and snacks (lunch not provided).
Schedule:
Shifts vary—check the website for current options, typically daytime, full or half-day.
Contact:
Email volunteer@islandcountyhabitat.com or call 360-679-9444 with questions. Let’s build a brighter future together!
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Penn Cove Water Festival
We need volunteers for the Penn Cove Water Festival!
Friday, May 9: Heavy lifting tasks (canoe racks, sound equipment) start at 7:45 AM with 7 others.
Saturday, May 10: Navy personnel tasks start at 4:45 AM (about 2-hour shifts). Public hours are 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Sign up for tasks and time slots at
www.PennCoveWaterFestival.org. Report to the Coupeville Rec Center (191 Alexander St) 15 minutes before your shift for check-in. Check out there too for service credit—and get a free t-shirt!
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Island Senior Resources
Volunteers needed! Island Senior Resources (ISR) is a Non-Profit 501(3)c organization, serving Island County since 1972, that provides essential resources for older/disabled adults, their families, and caregivers. We are seeking volunteers to help us with our newest program for social engagement to close the gap between older/disabled adults and social isolation.
Our trained volunteer teams take older adults to a variety of activities and events on Whidbey. If seniors are unable to leave their homes, we can have volunteers go inside the home to play games, read, or simple companionship and friendly visiting. Those who join ISR Connects view it as a lifeline. As we know, the COVID-19 pandemic closed many doors, especially for those within older generations or with medical conditions. As we enter a post pandemic world, our most vulnerable populations have lost and have not been able to find connection within the community.
Our program provides social enrichment to anyone 60+ yrs old or a disabled adult 18-59 yrs old. We have some transportation options available for those who need it. If possible, we would LOVE to bring more volunteers onboard as this program will not function without them. Volunteers must be 18 years or older, but youth are encouraged to volunteer with their guardians. This program is seeking help from active-duty military, reserves, contractors, civilians, and dependents. So, pass along this info to anyone seeking to enrich their lives with human connection. Our goal is for our volunteers to commit to one social connection per week, although even a once-a-month commitment would help break the isolation so many of our disabled and aging community members are going through.
For more information or to sign up, contact the ISR Connects Program Manager: Bailey Todd at 360-672-6505 or
Bailey@islandseniorservices.org
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Organic Farm School at Keystone Farm & Forest Preserve
Every Friday from 9:00 am -11:00 am
Join our partners, Whidbey Island Organic Farm School, at Keystone Preserve on Fridays to clean the barn and prepare a future cover crop demonstration site. Tasks will include wheelbarrowing, power washing, mowing, trimming and planting!
Questions and RSVP to Judy at
judy@organicfarmschool.org
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North Whidbey Little League
North Whidbey Little League is looking for “Volunteer” Umpires for the 2025 Baseball and Softball season.
If you are interested, please contact Rita Cline (Primary POC):
nwll.oh.umpire@gmail.com
Completion of a Little League volunteer form
is required
2025 Volunteer Form:
https://www.northwhidbeylittleleague.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1437909
Whether you are new, or not, to umpiring …
training will be provided
Another POC is Jerry Newton:
jerry.l.newton.ctr@us.navy.mil
If you are Active Duty and looking for a community “Volunteer” activity outdoors, then this might be what you are looking for
A volunteer certificate will be provided to you at the end of the season
This will be your proof of participation towards your eval input and volunteer ribbon
There are other positions for volunteers in the NWLL, including, Manager and/or Coach; Score Keeper; Field prep assist and Concession stand
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Volunteer Chore Program
The Volunteer Chore Program is a new program at Whidbey Island that assists with day-to-day chores such as yard care, grocery shopping, dog walking, medical transportation and housekeeping for elderly residents over 60 who are financially qualified. This program is administered by The Volunteer Center with the Opportunity Council. If you are interested in participating, please contact Ross Labrenz at (360) 679-6577 ext. 2133.
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If you have volunteer opportunities, please send all submission requests to: naswipao@us.navy.mil