The volunteers trickled in, grabbing a coffee and bagel, making casual conversation as they waited for the day to get underway. Many had been to the site before for previous Martin Luther King Day events, and could recall their handiwork as they peered around the assembly room.
“Thank you for starting your day here and being part of this uplifting event,” said Kevin Wheeler, infrastructure officer for Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo Area as he kicked off the day of work. “Thank you for giving your time to this beautiful environment here at Mt. Diablo Center for Adult Day Health Care.”
The Mt. Diablo Center for Adult Day Health Care provides structured day recreation and therapy services for the frail elderly, disabled adults, and adults with Alzheimer's and related dementia.
Find out what's happening in Pleasant Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The roughly 50 Kaiser Permanente employees, physicians and staff gathered to volunteer their time and make January 20, 2014 a day of service in the community in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“We are here to serve and recognize a great community leader,” said Rachel Cabugao of HandsOn Bay Area, coordinators of the event. “Working together like this has great impact and we are proud to partner with Kaiser Permanente.”
Find out what's happening in Pleasant Hillfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Annette Reddrick, program director at the center, agreed. “Your volunteer efforts are greatly appreciated by our seniors. It is wonderful to see so many people here today.”
Volunteers worked on several projects. There was painting, gardening, window cleaning and general clean-up taking place across the center.
Onkar Dhillon works in Kaiser Permanente’s Service and Operations Department in Pleasanton and has volunteered for several MLK Day events. “This is great,” he said as he placed painters tape across one of the areas to be painted. “Anything we can do makes a difference and it is a nice change out of the office. The hardest part is just getting here and making that commitment but once you do it, it is so worth it.”
Gabi Aleman from Infrastructure Planning was also glad she committed to helping out. She spent the day outside sprucing up the garden.“It is all about community engagement. One day we may all need to use the services of a place like this so it is important to pay it forward. We all should. We would all be in a better place.”
