Dozens of Chevron volunteers recently visited Richmond senior and youth centers, shelters, food distribution sites and even the SS Red Oak Victory ship with one mission in mind: to help out the community in any way they can.
Every fall, employees from Chevron locations in Richmond and San Ramon participate in the company’s Fall Volunteer Campaign, an annual effort to make a big difference in support of local nonprofit organizations.
In Richmond, the Fall Volunteer Campaign spanned two weeks and featured 357 employees volunteering about 1,240 hours at 10 sites throughout the community.
The local effort started mid-September when several employees helped out in the kitchen of the Bay Area Rescue Mission (BARM), which provides food, shelter and many other critical resources to people in need. The volunteer campaign ran almost daily until early October, when employees helped prep for the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program’s (GRIP) Harmony Walk fundraiser.
One Thursday, about 15 Chevron employees descended upon the West County Salesian Youth Club in Richmond to clean its kitchen and gym, paint its doors and walls and to tidy up the outside grounds. A mural, which the volunteers painted over, will make way for new art and expression by the club’s youth.
Carlos Andrade, a design engineer at Chevron Richmond who helped out at the youth club, said he and his colleagues look forward to the Fall Volunteer Campaign.
“We’re happy to be here and to get a chance to help out in the community,” Andrade said.
A few days after the cleanup of the youth club, seven worker-bees from Chevron Richmond’s Asian Employee Network tended to Mother Moore’s Garden of Prayer at the Corrine Sain Senior & Family Community Center in North Richmond. They weeded, cut ivy and cleaned gutters alongside Darrell Davis, director of community building and engagement for the Community Housing Development Corp. (CHDC), which operates the center. Earlier this year, Chevron Richmond collaborated with CHDC to establish and name the center after 103-year-old “Mother” Carrie Lee Moore. While Chevron hosts a dedicated volunteer campaign every year, employees are working at local shelters and events year-round.
“Chevron’s culture of volunteering in the community is unparalleled. I’m always amazed at how many projects they take on throughout the year, not because anyone asked them to, but because they genuinely love being in the community and lending a helping hand,” said Veronica Robles, Chevron Richmond’s volunteer coordinator.
The Fall Volunteer Campaign wasn’t all work, no play. Aboard the SS Red Oak Victory, some Chevron employees got to spray fire hoses off the side of the historic WWII-era ship. While the effort seemed like fun and games, it served to help staff of the floating museum test the ship’s firefighting capabilities.
Chevron volunteer Crystal Madison was happy to volunteer her time wherever she was needed. Being needed on the SS Red Oak Victory was a particular treat.
“I love ships, and being on this one is especially awesome,” Madison said.
Having fun was a bonus, but the extra help is sorely needed, said the Red Oak Victory’s Chief Engineer Greg Blasquez.
“The volunteers are busy all the time,” Blasquez said. “They’re doing great work. We really appreciate it.”
Chevron’s annual volunteer effort was of particular help to the Bay Area Rescue Mission. On four separate days, volunteers supported the nonprofit in its bustling kitchen and warehouse, helping to ensure community members in need receive the nonprofit’s critical resources.
“Chevron’s generous contribution of their employees’ time to help the community in need showcases the power of partnership, and the Bay Area Rescue Mission is incredibly grateful to have such dedicated allies in making a difference,” said CEO Bram Begonia.
Kathy Chouteau contributed to this report
