At SOLVE, our volunteers are the heartbeat of everything we do, and in 2024, we've had the privilege of working alongside some truly extraordinary individuals. These volunteers have gone above and beyond in their dedication to Oregon's natural spaces, and we are thrilled to celebrate their incredible contributions.
Gary Bishop & Tai Powell: Volunteers of the Year
This year, we’re excited to announce that Gary Bishop and Tai Powell are tied as our Volunteers of the Year. Both have demonstrated outstanding dedication, participating in over 27 events throughout 2024. Gary, known for his work in litter cleanups, is always on the lookout for the large, impactful pieces of trash that make a visible difference. He shared,
“Whether it’s picking up a cigarette butt off the sidewalk or cleaning up an abandoned homeless camp, you can see the difference right away. Knowing I’m helping out my community and meeting like-minded folks has been a very positive experience for me.”
Tai’s efforts in habitat restoration, particularly with the Mary S. Young State Park Weekday Work Crew, have been equally impressive. Her tireless work behind the scenes is an inspiration to us all.
Isabelle Wagner: Youth Volunteer of the Year
At just 17 years old, Isabelle Wagner has shown incredible dedication to SOLVE’s mission. Her passion for protecting the environment has made a lasting impact. Isabelle believes in the power of community service, saying,
“Community service isn't just a school requirement, but an opportunity to engage with the diverse world around us. Many teenagers find it boring, but with an open mindset, it can be a fun and rewarding experience. Volunteering allows me to meet people from different backgrounds and learn from their stories.”
She continued,
“The sense of community I've found with SOLVE stands out to me. After attending a few events, I started recognizing regular volunteers, which made me even more excited to help. I've made many friends this year.”
Isabelle encourages others, especially youth, to volunteer:
Community service gives you the chance to take real-world action, meet new people, and grow as a person in the community."
Mark Remy: Amazing Event Leader
Mark Remy has been a driving force in Portland’s Hollywood District, where he has been organizing monthly cleanups since September 2023. As Mark explained, “
After volunteering at several SOLVE cleanups, I realized how gratifying it is to step up and do something about a problem, rather than just complaining about it. Every time we're out there, we show everyone who sees us that people still care about Portland and we can all do our part to make it a bit better.”
Mark’s initiative and community spirit have made a lasting impact on his neighborhood.
April Hempenstall: WOW Factor Event of the Year
The Banana Belt Cleanup in Brookings, led by April Hempenstall, removed an incredible 102,000 pounds of trash with the help of 62 volunteers.
April's vision for this massive cleanup started with a simple idea to address local environmental issues.
“We decided to hit some of the big camps that had been destroying our River bars and forests,” she said. “After reaching out to local authorities and organizing with community members, it turned into an incredible event. It’s so important to take it upon ourselves to keep our land clean.”
April’s efforts in rallying a community to take action exemplify the spirit of SOLVE volunteers.
Amber Sanders: Special Shoutout for Dedication
We also want to give a special shoutout to Amber Sanders, whose dedication and commitment to SOLVE have made a big impact this year. Amber serves as an event assistant, always going the extra mile to ensure our events run smoothly.
“It’s important to take action and do something for the community,”
Amber shared. What’s even more impressive is that Amber uses public transportation to attend every event, showing her incredible dedication to our mission, no matter the distance.