Want to help? It will take a village to build a Better Block. Whether you want to help out for an hour or take on a creative project, there's a job for everyone. Read about the opportunities below and sign up.
Spearhead a project - build a parklet, yarn bomb, public art, street dance, fix up vacant spaces...
Sign up to lead an activity, tend shop, or offer other help during the weekend.
Donate or loan equipment and materials, from paint to pallets, a piano to plants.
Join a work party to help clean up downtown, prep spaces, set up pop-up shops, or build projects.
Take a special Fall 2016 BU class on and help build Better Block.
Looking for bands to play, street musicians, hike leaders, etc.
PROJECT LEADERS
SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO LEAD PROJECTS
We have lots of projects planned, and need volunteers to step up and design, build, organize and make them happen! Projects seeking leaders (and assistants) include:
- Yarn bombing
- Bands & entertainment
- Street dance
- Sign painting
- Carpentry/build projects
- Bike shop & bike share program
- Beer garden
- Create Bethel arts & activity space
- Wall banners
- Potluck dinner
- Intersection & bike lane painting
- Murals & furniture painting
- Giant games
- Musical instruments
- Vacant spaces
- Flowers & landscape design
SUPPLIES
SEEKING DONATED AND LOANED MATERIALS
- A piano (to be painted and left on sidewalk)
- Large coolers
- Fence sections
- Potted shrubs or flowers
- Display racks or shelves for pop-up shops
- Yarn (cheap!) & knitting needles
- Paint (latex, tempera, chalk & spray)
- Paint brushes & rollers
- Tarps
- Books & records to sell in used book store (donate)
- Extension cords, hammers, tape, assorted tools
- Junk bikes
- Pop-up tents
- Pallets (donated)
- Plywood, 2x4s, and other lumber
- Arts & craft supplies
- Picnic tables or cafe tables
- Cleaning supplies
- Old (wood or metal) signs that can be repainted
- Giant lawn games
- Decent rugs, bookshelves, lights, tablecloths, small furniture for pop-up shops
- Outdoor lighting (string)
- Outdoor heaters
TEACH OR TAKE A BU COURSE & HELP BUILD BETTER BLOCK
We're offering a special fall Bethel University session with workshops on many topics related to building our Better Block - street art, design, temporary street repair, building and more. Take a class and learn some new skills while you're helping to build our Better Block.
- Build a parklet
- Create a beer garden
- Learn to knit & yarn-bomb
- Build giant lawn games
- Create grapevine arches
- DIY street improvements - pedestrian islands, crosswalk striping & more
WORK PARTIES
LEAD A WORK CREW OR JOIN A COMMUNITY WORK DAY
We've scheduled several community work days coming up, to help clean out and prep downtown and build our projects. Come work for a spell, lead a work crew, or even bring a crew of your students or co-workers to help at at time that works for you. Crew leaders & volunteers needed for tasks include:
- Clean up and clean out: washing windows, cleaning buildings, removing debris and moving furniture
- Landscaping & brush removal: weeding, cleaning up garden beds, repairing stone walls, and removing brush for river views
- Painting & carpentry: light painting of fences and buildings, light repairs and carpentry on buildings and project sites
- Pop-up shops: setting up and creating inviting spaces for temporary stores in vacant buildings
- Build & take down: install Better Block projects (street painting, building parklets, putting up projects) and taking them down at the end
Work party dates
- Saturday, 9/10, 10 AM-2 PM
- Sunday, 9/18, 1-5 PM
- Saturday, 9/24, 10 AM-2 PM
- Friday, 9/30, 9 AM-3 PM (Build Day!)
- Sunday, 10/2, 3-5 PM (Take Down)
Check out our event listing for more details about work parties.
EVENT VOLUNTEERS
STAFF A SHOP, TROUBLESHOOT, DIRECT TRAFFIC...
We'll need volunteers on hand throughout the event (Friday 3 PM to Sunday 3 PM) to help with many tasks. If you have a couple of hours to spare, sign up to take a shift running a pop-up shop, running activities for kids, assisting with general needs, etc.
MUSIC, HIKES & MORE
PLAY MUSIC, LEAD A HIKE OR WALK...
We're seeking a few more bands or acts to play on the stage at the Depot beer garden, street musicians or entertainers, or people to lead short hikes, walks, jam sessions, tours, etc. Hours could be anytime between 3 PM Friday and 3 PM Sunday. Contact us to learn how you can get involved!