Sunnyvale volunteers show compassion during week of service

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors is again co-sponsoring Compassion Week, set for Sept. 21-29. Since its inception in 2012, more than 24,000 volunteers have participated in 1,900 Compassion Week projects and activities at nearly 90 organizations on the Peninsula and in the South Bay.

Compassion Week is an annual collaborative effort by the Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation, Fremont Bank, multiple local faith communities and Santa Clara County. Activities bring volunteers of all ages and abilities together to participate in more than 160 projects benefiting local nonprofits, focusing on education and access to basic needs such as food, shelter and health as well as supporting veterans, older adults and environmental protection efforts.

Compassion Week began as an initiative of the Los Altos United Methodist Church to encourage its congregation to engage in service and justice work as an expression of faith. The initiative has grown over the years, and now more than 80% of the more than 3,600 volunteers are individuals and organizations not associated with the church.

“Compassion Week is not just about the one week; it’s about taking the week to learn and engage in activities that really can — and I hope will — be undertaken year-round,” said County Supervisor Joe Simitian, whose office has sponsored and participated in the initiative for the past few years. “It’s a week that helps translate passion and compassion into longer-term action by the community.”

Compassion Week remote and in-person volunteer opportunities will be available in Sunnyvale. Volunteers can register at compassionweeklosaltos.org.

Businesses and groups looking to get involved with Compassion Week can email info@compassionweeklosaltos.com for more information.