A huge thank you to all the volunteers who participated in Samedi du Partage last weekend! The collection was truly fantastic, and we now have a wealth of products to provide to those in need within our community.

With Partage wrapped up for the next few months, we’re now focusing on sorting the incredible volume of goods you so generously donated. These items are currently at the Partage offices in Plan-les-Ouates just off the autoroute A1. We need your help to prepare the products for distribution.

Serve the City Geneva has reserved five weekday mornings in January for this effort:

• 2nd, 7th, 17th, 22nd, and 27th

We’ll be working from 8:30 AM to noon on these days, and we would love for you—or even a team you assemble—to join us.

Your participation would mean so much to both Serve the City and the community we serve. Thank you again for your incredible support and generosity!

We have a meaningful opportunity to support the Salvation Army’s efforts this holiday season while adhering to Serve the City’s principles. Assisting as a bell ringer alongside a brass band can bring joy and encouragement to the community while helping those in need. Here’s a clear summary of the activity for those interested:

• Activity:Bell ringing with a brass band to assist the Salvation Army in collecting donations in Geneva.
• Key Note:Volunteers will not be soliciting funds but simply being present to encourage donations.
• Dress Code:Volunteers will wear Salvation Army uniforms instead of Serve the City’s red t-shirts.
• Time Commitment:One-hour slots.
• Sign-Up Process: Register on the website on the Salvation Army Bell ringing option to receive further details, including available times and coordination requests.

Letter from Armée du Salut

Sign-up form

Thank you for considering this way to serve and make a positive impact this December!   French is of some help but not required.   Other volunteer options also are available on our website.

We have just made a major clean up of our Volunteer Data Base., We have cut about half of our volunteers from our Newsletter who have not logged on the STC website in the past 3 years.  We are now just over 1800 active volunteers and if would like to remain on the mailing list just sign onto your account and you will leave you in communication with us for the next three years or until you signout of registration.

Dear all Serve the City volunteers,

We invite you all to join us in one of the exciting projects for serving the marginalized of the community every 6 months.  Every day, nearly 50 associations and social services benefit from the redistribution of items by Partage.  Samedi du Partage has over 90 stores participating to collect non perishable items for those in need.   STCG will be serving at 8 different stores Friday afternoon and Saturday for 3 shifts on 29 & 30 November.   We will be very happy to have you signup on www.ServeTheCityGeneva.ch for a shift or two at one of the stores we are supporting.

We also are helping the BioParc in Bellevue on 16 November.  We still offer services for the Soup kitchen near the train station.  Other options are also available on the website.

We have a couple of very special programs we are planning to support in September.

Please read on.

1) For the first AFP festival taking place 20-22 September 2024, we request 20-25 STC volunteers working in shifts to kindly help us out throughout the weekend.

The mission of Art For Peace is to contribute to the positive transformation of Geneva as a place of peace and cultural development. By promoting peace through art therapy and leading artivist actions,

Our commitment aims to make a significant contribution to the cultural influence of the city, while creating bridges with local artists and unifying artistic forces to forge a lasting legacy of peace and diversity.

For our side, we need to have the list of volunteers by 19 August with requested information for each person, please: If you think you might be interested please signup now. More information will be available for those registered.. As most of the program will be in French it’s a good opportunity to practice it. Perhaps even invite a French speaking friend.   For more details click here …AFP Brochure, & AFP mission..

2) The next very special project is with the BioParc in Bellevue, Geneva.   They have been invited to receive 40 animals from a small zoo near Bern and need cages and compounds to be built to house the new animals. A lot of work is planned for the transformation  of the  new BioParc the coming years.   On or about 14 September  we plan a special work day to prepare the new cages and enclosures . It will be not only a work day but a training day to allow those who may be able to help (perhaps with friends) work on projects on days of their choosing.  Signing up today is not a formal commitment but an indication of how many might be available on Saturday the 14^th. This project has a number of special skill sets not previously required.   Perhaps operating a rented post hole digger. A truck with the ability to load and unload cages from Bern. Perhaps other skills which may be required.. Sign up if you would like to follow the need for this very special project for the Bioparc.   BioParc additions

3) Bioparc Open day is Sunday 22nd of September and they need help between 9-16 for 3 hour slots, to do a variety of jobs, to support the flow of possibly over 1,500 visitors. More information will be shared when you register on the STC website.

Many thanks for your kind offers to support the city we are so fortunate to live in.    The Serve the City Team

Partage has a special request for help with food packing on 10 and 16 July.   They need upto 7 helpers  each day..   They have a target need of 1500 food packages each of those days and could use some help.. (we also may have a spot or 2 on those days for sorting)  Would love to see you (and so would Partage)..

The Serve the City team.