Operation Nightwatch volunteers like Judy, Susan, and Becky help relieve social isolation for guests by serving up smiles + meals. | Photo by @nightwatchpdx
Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. All we know is there are more than enough great causes in Portland to give your time to.
Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are over 40 ways to get involved in Portland.
If you want to help your neighbors in need
Rose Haven | Assist with prepping + serving food, sorting donations, admin tasks, and more to support the day shelter “serving women, children, and gender non-conforming folks experiencing the trauma of abuse, loss of home and other disruptive life challenges.”
Sunshine Division | This organization partners with the Portland Police Bureau to provide immediate food relief to those in need through food pantries, delivery programs, and Thanksgiving events — support its work by packing food boxes, sorting donations, or staffing in-person pantries.
For the outdoorsy types
Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership | All ages + abilities are welcome at volunteer events, which involve restoring habitats between Bonneville Dam and the mouth of the Columbia River to benefit water quality, wildlife, and people.
Portland Japanese Garden | Become a tour guide, ambassador, bonsai docent, Cultural Village host, greeter, or explore other opportunities supporting the garden + its mission.
If you’re an animal lover
Defend Them All Foundation | This early-stage nonprofit working to provide a better future for animals + their habitats through community advocacy, education, and legal guidance is looking for a grant writer.
Volunteer docents share the stories + details of trains like this one with Oregon Rail Heritage Center guests.
Spirit of Halloweentown | Thursday, Oct. 24-Thursday, Oct. 31 | Times vary | Locations vary, St. Helens | Free+ | The town where cult-favorite flicks “Halloweentown” and “Twilight” were filmed revives the magic of the season with decorations, themed attractions, events, and more.
Friday, Oct. 25
“Hocus Pocus” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas” | Friday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Oct. 27 | 6:30-10 p.m. | 99W Drive-In Theater, Newberg | $5+ | What’s this? Watch a back-to-back showing of two beloved spooky season flicks from the comfort of your car.
No Ivy Day 2024 | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Locations vary | Free | Lend your time + energy to pull invasive vines at parks and natural spaces across the metro area.
Fall Harvest Festival | Saturday, Oct. 26 + Sunday, Oct. 27 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Topaz Farm | $12+ | Embrace the season at this Sauvie Island farm with lots of animals, hay rides, duck races, u-pick pumpkins + flowers, food, and a market.
Fall Celebration Pop-Up Market | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Glenhaven Park | Free | Get a start on holiday shopping, find seasonal produce, make apple cider to take home, and visit the Halloween photo booth with your pup.
Samhain Moon Bazaar | Saturday, Oct. 26 + Sunday, Oct. 27 | Times vary | Wingspan Event and Conference Center, Hillsboro | $1+ | Bring your little ones for trick-or-treating and browse 150+ vendors offering mystical wares — spellbinding costumes are encouraged.
PipeScreams Halloween Spectacular! | Saturday, Oct. 26 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Trinity Episcopal Cathedral | Free | Miss Portland Pride 2024 Nicole Onosocopi hosts this family-friendly organ concert featuring classical pieces, Halloween sing-alongs + scores from films like “Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Get your raincoat ready — an atmospheric river is winding its way toward Portland. Meteorologists say showers could start Friday evening, shifting into heavy rain by Saturday. A wet Halloween weekend is the perfect opportunity for a truly abhorrent costume, like one involving an umbrella. The horror. (KOIN)
Sports
The Trail Blazers started the 2024-2025 season last night with a loss to the Golden State Warriors... which means there’s nowhere to go but up. “Locked On Blazers” makes five bold predictions and dreams about a lineup that’ll probably never see court time.
Coming Soon
A new luxury glamp-ground in the Columbia River Gorge will soon offer “upscale, safari-inspired canvas tents on elevated private decks” with king-size beds and private bathrooms that have showers + flushing toilets. Prices start at $299 a night for Under Canvas Columbia Gorge, located just north of White Salmon, WA. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Real Estate
A former Nike CEO’s 4,472-sqft penthouse is for sale. Occupying the entire 27th floor of the Pearl District’s Cosmopolitan tower, the space last sold in 2019 for $6.9 million — potentially the highest price ever paid at the time for a Portland condo. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Opening
Another Trader Joe’s opens this Friday, Oct. 25 in east Vancouver’s Columbia Crossing Shopping Center. It’s the grocery chain’s 12th store in the Portland metro area (and the third in Vancouver); another location is expected to open soon in Oak Grove. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)
Wellness
It takes time to adjust to the chilly, damp days setting in. Help your body warm up (or procrastinate the acclimation) at a local sauna spa. These six locations offer a range of stress-melting services, from private infrared sauna studios and steam rooms to foot massages and soaking tubs. (Portland Monthly)
Trending
Portland’s got a lot of little chefs. The City of Roses ranked No. 38 on Orkin’s 2024 list of the rattiest cities in America. Data for the list was collected by tracking new residential rodent treatments between Sept. 1, 2023 and Aug. 31, 2024.
Finance
Rates just dropped — now could be the time to tap into your home equity. Calculate your payment.*
Wellness
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Category
Edu
Creative curriculum
LAIKA’s 2019 film “Missing Link” won the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film. | Photo via KGW
LAIKA has produced some of the most creative animated films of our time and it wants to ensure up-and-coming animators continue to think outside the boxtrolls.
The Hillsboro-based stop-motion animation studio has partnered with Portland State University to develop a three-year pilot program to prepare students for careers within the industry. Participants will get the chance to connect with LAIKA filmmakers when the program launches next spring.
LAIKA also plans to fund scholarships + provide mentorship opportunities for six students starting in the fall of 2025.
“This partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to nurture the creative talent that will enhance Portland’s vibrant arts and cultural landscape,” PSU President Ann Cudd told KOIN. “Like LAIKA, we know that it is creative thinkers and doers who will help drive our city’s economy and shape its future.”
LAIKA announced a similar partnership with Portland Community College earlier this year to create three new animation courses and an internship program.
The Buy
The Buy
Hair Food’s highly rated heat protectant spray. The sulfate and paraben-free formula features nourishing ingredients like coconut + argan oil. It’s suitable for all hair types and protects against heat damage up to 450°.
Two firsts happened last weekend: I finally visited Oaks Amusement Park and experienced my first haunted house (actually I walked through three of them — I know, I’m so brave) at ScareGrounds PDX. I would say the attractions were scary but not terrifying — and the sets and actors were impressive. It’s a popular event and parking was a bit tricky, so try to arrive right when your time slot opens. Oh, and the VIP tickets are definitely worth it.
ScareGrounds only allows photography in the Selfie Museum.
