Pink “Volunteer Arlington” T-shirts sit stacked on a table April 19 at Kitchen of Purpose on Columbia Pike, the first stop for the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Day and Celebration.  Kate Bates, CEO of the Arlington Chamber says this is the 25th year for the Chamber Volunteer Day.  She explains it connects Arlington businesses to Chamber member non-profits.

Volunteers line up to register, and some grab a burger. Some come as individual volunteers and others have brought a team of friends or business associates. They will leave the first stop and head for their three-hour volunteer activity at one of the 15 non-profit partners of the Chamber.  Examples of the projects include helping seniors declutter their homes at Arlington Neighborhood Village, interacting with animals through enrichment activities at the Animal Welfare League, repainting the office space at Offenders Aid Restoration (OAR), deep cleaning the shelter at New Hope Housing and assisting program participants at Melwood with their indoor succulent planting project.