Hearts & Hammers to pound out 35 homes on workday

Hearts & Hammers of South Whidbey’s annual workday is this weekend, and organizers say they’re still looking for volunteer help.

Hearts & Hammers of South Whidbey’s annual workday is this weekend, and organizers say they’re still looking for volunteer help.

“Volunteers are still needed and most welcome,” the organization said in a recent news release. “Sign up via the web or just bring yourself to the High School on the workday morning.”

Hearts & Hammers’ workday is held every year on the first Saturday in May. Volunteers come together to tackle projects at private residences that homeowners can’t address themselves. In 2015, the organization worked on 32 properties, from Clinton to Greenbank.

Thirty-five homes are slated for work during this year’s workday, which is Saturday, May 7. Team staging begins at 7:45 a.m. at the South Whidbey High School, 5675 Maxwelton Road; a breakfast snack will be offered as volunteers gather with house captains. A group photo will be taken before teams disperse to work sites.

Volunteers should bring safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, protective shoes, a lunch and any tools that the house captains have requested. Young people from age 12 to 15 are welcome to work with their parents with a medical release form; those 16 to 17 can work without parents, but must have both a medical release form and a parental permission form. Visit www.heartsandhammers.com for forms and bring them to your house captain.

Both homeowners and volunteers are invited back to the high school after the day’s work for a dinner and a wrap-up of the accomplishments of the day. The event includes music, a slideshow of the day’s work and a meal prepared under the direction of Useless Bay Coffee Company Chef Des Rock and his crew. A gluten-free option will also be available.