More than 30 WRPS employees and their family members helped paint the teen center at the Boys & Girls Club in Pasco.

PASCO, Wash. – It took 26 gallons of paint, 30 volunteers and a whole lot of caring to cover 3,700 feet of wall space over the course of two days, but in the end it was all worth it. More than two dozen Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) employees gave up a portion of their weekend in August to provide a much-needed makeover for the Pasco Boys & Girls Club.

“We saw an opportunity here where we could make a big impact,” said Janelle Easter, event coordinator. “We recognized a huge need, our volunteers responded, and starting off the school year with a fresh coat of paint is really going to set the tone for a positive school year for these kids.”

The effort was organized by WPRSpeed, a young professionals group focused on developing leadership skills and encouraging community service. A $2,500 donation from WRPS paid for paint to recover the art room, game room and gym. The funds also helped purchase art supplies, sports equipment and new games to fill the center.

It’s the second straight year WRPSpeed has organized the Volunteer Day event. Last August, volunteers sanded and repainted the playground at Richland’s Howard Amon Park. Participants say the event exemplifies two core WRPS values: leadership and service above self.

“WRPS has not just a responsibility to the taxpayer and the government in terms of accomplishing our mission safely, effectively and in accordance with requirements—we also have a responsibility to give back to the community in which we live and serve,” said WRPS President and Project Manager Dave Olson. “It’s not just about what we do at the job site, it’s as much about what we do in the community to reflect our company, our values and our support for what happens.”