On Saturday, April 21, HopeTree Family Services of Salem was the proud beneficiary of a wealth of donated materials and labor as part of the 11^th Comcast Cares Day, Comcast’s annual nationwide day of community service.

Comcast Cares Day has become one of the largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts in the country. This year, approximately 67,000 Comcast volunteers participated in more than 650 projects nationwide, and since the inception of Comcast Cares Day in 2001, volunteers have contributed more than 2.5 million hours of service to their local communities.

“Since we first began Comcast Cares Day, hundreds of thousands of Comcast employees and their families and friends, alongside other members of their communities, have volunteered their time to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Tom Coughlin, regional senior vice president of Comcast.  “Comcast Cares Day is about coming together to make a positive impact on our communities, and I am proud to join my colleagues as we continue in that mission.”

More than 100 Comcast employees, along with their families and friends and other members of the local community, participated in the effort to beautify HopeTree’s main campus. Comcast also provided more than $3000 worth of tools and materials as part of the project.

Recommendations from Salem City officials and a Comcast employee who grew up in the care of HopeTree Family Services contributed to Comcast’s decision to partner with HopeTree Family Services on Comcast Cares Day.

HopeTree Family Services (formerly Virginia Baptist Children’s Home & Family Services) provides residential, educational, and foster care to at-risk children and youth. HopeTree also operates a network of 17 group homes for adults with intellectual disabilities.

With Saturday also being Earth Day and National Youth Service Day, several other local groups answered HopeTree’s call for assistance during the work day. Volunteers from a number of local churches and other organizations contributed their time and labor to the campus beautification effort as well. One of the largest volunteer groups came from Rosalind Hills Baptist Church.

“Christ asked us to be on a mission and to be His hands and feet. We feel the way to do that is to get out in the community and make a difference in the lives of others for Him,” said David Miller, Youth Minister of Rosalind Hills Baptist Church.

Submitted by Mark Early, Hopetree

Hopetree is hosting a “Walk for Hope” Saturday, May 12. Here’s more info. from the Council of Community Services:

Join HopeTree Family Services as they Walk for Hope, May 12, 2012 at their Salem Campus. Proceeds from the walk will benefit at-risk youth, and adults with intellectual disabilities. This is a great opportunity to help others and have fun with the many activities being offered including: face painting, balloon sculpting, raffle of P. Buckley Moss limited edition print, live DJ, freebies and lunch. Registration required.

For more information, call Shauna Chastang at 387-2112 or email ShaunaC@hopetreefs.com