Every year there is one day when the Elaine Clark Center doesn’t just teach community — we see it show up in work gloves, paint clothes, and a whole lot of generosity.
Our Day of Service is Saturday, March 21, and it is one of the most meaningful days of the entire year.
You won’t see speeches.
You won’t see a gala.
You will
see neighbors, families, corporate teams, and volunteers working side-by-side to make our classrooms better for the children and young adults we serve.
Because this day isn’t about fundraising.
It’s about showing up.
Why This Day Matters
The Elaine Clark Center operates 5 days a week, year-round. Classrooms, therapy rooms, playgrounds, sensory spaces, kitchens, and learning areas are used constantly — exactly the way they should be.
But heavy use means wear and tear.
And while our teachers are experts in education and therapy, they shouldn’t also have to be landscapers, painters, movers, organizers, and maintenance crews.
That’s where the community steps in.
One Saturday of service allows us to accomplish months of projects in just a few hours — work that directly impacts our students’ daily experience.
When volunteers give their time, our staff gets to focus on what they do best: helping children grow, communicate, learn, and gain independence.
What Volunteers Will Be Doing
There is truly a job for everyone — no special skills required. Past projects have included:
• Organizing classrooms and storage spaces
• Deep cleaning the kitchen and learning areas
• Painting classrooms and hallways
• Weeding and mulching outdoor play areas
• Refreshing playground equipment
• Cleaning and preparing therapy rooms
• Moving furniture and reorganizing learning spaces
You don’t have to be handy.
You just have to be willing.
We provide supplies, direction, and plenty of appreciation.
Who Should Come?
Everyone.
Families, students needing service hours, scout groups, corporate teams, church groups, neighbors, and first-time volunteers are all welcome. Many volunteers come once and make it a yearly tradition.
It is also one of the best ways to truly understand what the Elaine Clark Center does. Walking through the classrooms and working in the spaces where our students learn makes our mission real in a way words never quite can.
The Impact You Make
A freshly organized classroom means fewer distractions for a child working on communication.
A cleaned sensory room means a calmer environment for regulation and focus.
A safe playground means confidence, mobility, and independence.
These are not cosmetic improvements.
They are functional supports for children and young adults with special needs.
Your morning of work directly improves their everyday experience.
This is why we call it:
Heart work, not hard work.
Event Details
Day of Service
Saturday, March 21
Volunteers begin at 9:00 AM
Elaine Clark Center Campus
We recommend comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, and a willingness to get a little dirty.
How to Sign Up
If you’ve been looking for a way to help but didn’t know where to start — this is it.
You don’t need a long-term commitment.
You don’t need special training.
You just need a few hours and a generous spirit.
Sign up here: https://www.elaineclarkcenter.org/day-of-service
Bring a friend, a coworker, or your family. You’ll leave tired — but in the very best way.
And once you see the students who benefit from your work, you’ll understand why this day matters so much to our community.
We hope to see you on March 21.