How many folks can actually work on a twenty one acre farm in one day? Would you believe nearly 300? Volunteers from Comcast’s Everett Call Center, along with project coordinators and volunteers from 21 Acres near Woodinville, donated almost 2,000 hours of volunteer time or the equivalent of close to $300,000 worth of labor.

300 volunteers begin their Comcast Cares Day recently at 21 Acres. Photo by Bob Kash

This recent event was held in conjunction with the 8th annual national Comcast Cares Day, one of the nation’s largest corporate days of community service. At 21 Acres, groups of volunteers worked diligently planting in the fields and greenhouses; installing irrigation ditches; removing weeds and invasives in native plant gardens; constructing a reflexology trail and cleaning out bee hives for the new apiary. Children worked in a butterfly garden and created several frog houses as the lunch crew prepared a picnic with local farm ingredients.

“We are extremely proud and grateful of our employees” said Cindy Gallanger, Comcast’s vice president of customer care.  “They generously gave up a free Saturday to support the work of this local non-profit. They make a difference to their communities throughout the year.” Gretchen Garth, 21 Acres Board President, stated, “the hours of volunteer service Comcast employees and families donated are an integral part of the 21 Acres mission to educate and demonstrate sustainable systems. The projects completed during this event, and in fall, 2006, have continued to have an impact on the farm and demonstration gardens.”

For more information log on to www.21acres.org. Comcast Corporation, whose 16 offices are located throughout Washington, serves more than 1.2 million customers and employs more than 3,100 people in Washington. The company was recently voted a “Best Company to Work For” by Washington CEO Magazine.