Volunteer with us!
Our efforts are only made possible through the time and energy of our generous volunteers. As a small but rapidly growing organization, we welcome volunteer assistance through various avenues:
Repair Days: Offered multiple times a week, we restore furniture diverted from the landfill to be donated to community members in need. No skills are required, but you will learn some!
Furniture Collection: We conduct regular collection events at the Seattle Transfer Stations, literally stopping furniture waste at the source. Like to use your muscles? This is for you!
Fundraising: As a nonprofit organization, fundraising supports our mission and programs, increases our impact, enables innovation and growth, and more. If your skills lie in turning goodwill into gold, let us know!
Workshop space support: Are you skilled with storage, organization, or maintenance? We can always use additional help at the workshop for stocking, cleaning, organizing, facility repairs, and tool maintenance.
Group events: Looking for a fun and unique team-building or community service activity for your company, faith organization, or club? We’ve got you covered! Find out more on our group volunteering page.
By joining the Furniture Repair Bank effort, you’ll make a positive impact on the environment while transforming the lives of those in need within your community.
Ready to sign up?
Volunteer FAQ’s
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We welcome volunteers of many ages and abilities at the Repair Bank!
Individuals aged 18 and above may join by completing our volunteer form linked above.
Teens ages 14 to 17 are welcome to join provided a parent or guardian provides permission on their volunteer registration liability waivers.
Younger kids ages 11 to 13 are welcome to volunteer along with their parent or guardian, but will still need to register as individual volunteers.
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Time commitment is flexible. Repair days are typically from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers are welcome to join us for a morning shift from 10 to 12:30, or afternoon from 1:30 to 4. It is not a requirement to stay for the entire shift, just stay for however long suits your schedule!
We observe a one-hour break from 12:30 to 1:30 for staff lunch breaks and to reset new projects for the afternoon.
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You will be given a tour of the warehouse and safety instructions. Leads are always available to answer any questions.
A site lead will introduce you to the items of furniture you will work on for the day and provide the tools, supplies, and personal protection equipment required, along with necessary details and instructions.
Please come in closed-toe, closed-heel shoes with no heels higher than one inch. Wear clothing suitable for dusty and potentially messy work. Stains happen. We also provide aprons to help minimize mess.
Light snacks and refreshments are available free to all volunteers. We also have a water cooler for refilling personal water bottles. Please help yourself.
You will be asked to clean up after yourself. Kindly make our job of maintaining the space easier; return tools and supplies to where you found them, wipe down or wash where necessary, and please recycle whenever possible.
We periodically take photos to support our promotion efforts including social media, so we ask volunteers to sign a photo release form. If you do not want your photos to be taken and used in our marketing efforts, please let us know and we’ll make sure to exclude you from photo materials.
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We require all volunteers to register using our volunteer portal, sign our liability waivers, follow the safety instructions provided by our staff, and be responsible for their own safety. We do provide the basic PPE for all tasks performed.
The main points of our Liability Waiver are listed below. A more detailed and complete version is included with the volunteer form.
Acknowledgment and Assumption of All Risks
Signing up to volunteer with us you acknowledge and assume all risks of the repair event, its activities, and the environment in which it is conducted, whether or not those risks are inherent, whether or not they are described in the liability waiver.
Agreements of Release and Indemnity
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Furniture Repair Bank (FRB), its officers, agents, and employees from and against any and all claims for injury or damage arising out of or in any way related to your enrollment, participation in the event, and transportation to and from the event.
Other
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, any mediation or suit may be conducted or filed only in Washington, and the laws of the State of Washington will apply to any such dispute, excepting only the laws of the State of Washington which may apply the laws of another jurisdiction.
You authorize FRB to provide or obtain medical care for you in the event of an incident requiring medical attention.
You agree that you will not consume or be under the influence of any chemical substance, including alcohol, during the event.
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We’ll gladly provide or sign any documentation you may need to prove your time with us for school, work, or other volunteer requirements.
Other professional skills to share?
Interested in joining our mission in a different capacity? We're eager to have your support!
We are a small team supporting a rapidly growing nonprofit consisting of mostly volunteers. We always welcome new members who want to help. There are many different capacities where we could use additional support and expertise.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have other valuable services to contribute to our effort!