More than 100 projects are planned for Love Modesto. Some projects sorely need volunteers

Apr. 9—Modesto will hold its annual citywide volunteer day April 27. And there are plenty of opportunities to sign up for projects.

Love Modesto has plans for 105 projects to benefit families, people with disabilities, the homeless, seniors, neighborhoods and youth.

Jeff Pishney, chief executive officer and founder of Love Modesto, said Monday that 10 projects have hardly any sign-ups.

"Our call right now is we need more volunteers," Pishney said. "We have some great organizations that need some help. You will have fun and you will do a lot of good, too."

Some projects with few sign-ups are for popular causes, such as the Modesto Children's Museum, which hopes to rejuvenate a student drop-off site behind its building. Volunteers also are needed to clean windows at the Modesto Library and beautify parks and community gardens.

As of Monday, just four people had signed up for beautification work at Everett and Fairview elementary schools. Other projects needing support are Fostering Hope & Healing, Sonoma Elementary School, the Wellness Project and Martin Luther King Park beautification. In addition, the NAACP is conducting an affordable housing survey that day.

Projects to benefit animals have attracted many volunteers this year, as dog rescues and overcrowding at Stanislaus County's animal shelter have been in the news. There is no shortage of volunteers for a cat- and dog-food drive. The Stanislaus Animal Services Agency will deploy volunteers to spread the word about dog licensing.

Steep drop in volunteerism since pandemic

Love Modesto — and volunteer efforts in general — have witnessed a drop in participation since the COVID-19 pandemic, Pishney said, though the annual activity still generates excitement and passion. About 7,500 volunteers participated in Love Modesto in 2019, the year before the pandemic, but half of that number volunteered last year.

Pishney cited research that volunteering is a good remedy for the mental health doldrums that apparently resulted when COVID-19 drove people into isolation.

"Sign up for something that you love to do," Pishney suggested. "Invite your family and friends to volunteer as well. For a couple hours, you will do something for someone else, while at the same time you are bonding and having a good time."

The activities April 27 start with a kickoff gathering downtown from 7 to 8:30 a.m. in front of the Gallo Center for the Arts. The kickoff will feature 40 vendors, free food and refreshments, giveaways and activities for kids. A pancake breakfast, asking for a $10 donation to help cover Love Modesto costs, begins at 7 a.m. at Dazz Event Center, at I and 10th streets.

After the gathering downtown, volunteers depart for their respective projects and the work is finished by noon. The volunteer day also is held in Turlock, Ceres and other communities.

More information about Love Modesto and how to sign up for projects is found at https://lovemodesto.com.

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