What is Community Unity?
The concept of Community Unity was presented in the 2005 State of the Town address as “uniting Los Gatans under a banner of service."  The idea was to gather all of the Town service minded organizations and individuals together, brainstorm our community needs, prioritize those needs, and then tackle them together.”  The effort was officially kicked off in March 2005.  Recently, Community Unity has become an avenue for those seeking volunteer opportunities as well as those available to volunteer. 

Community Unity is a grassroots effort to bring together Los Gatans focused on maintaining and improving community, building community partnerships, and fostering civic pride.  The Town’s role is that of a facilitator of the forum through which volunteer partnerships are made and maintained.  This website hopes to help match organizations and planned projects with available volunteers.

Each November and December, we also feature a special Holiday Edition of Community Unity.  This listing focuses on local non-profits seeking volunteers and donations during the holidays.  Projects and volunteer groups wishing to be listed on the Holiday page should complete a project registration form, linked below, and indicate the listing is for the Holiday Edition of Community Unity. 

How can I include my volunteer project on the Community Unity project list?
If your non-profit organization is in need of volunteers, register the project at: Community Unity Project Registration Form

How can my volunteer group be listed on Community Unity as a group of available volunteers?
If you are a group of volunteers seeking volunteer opportunities, you may register at: Community Unity Group Registration Form

How will I know when new projects are listed on Community Unity?
If you would like to receive an email informing you when new projects and volunteer opportunities have been added, click on Notify Me.

What type of projects can be listed on Community Unity?
Any local nonprofit group that has a planned service project within our community or a project that will directly serve Los Gatans may be proposed.  It is necessary that all projects have a coordinating person available for prospective volunteers to contact directly.  For a list of previously identified Community Unity projects please click on 2005 Community Unity Projects
 
What has Community Unity accomplished?
Community Unity has provided the opportunity to promote relationships in Los Gatos that match community and agency needs.  Because helping others is such a rewarding experience, so many of our community members have come together building partnerships to fill needs in our community. 

Such projects include:

• Maintaining local parks and trails
• Collecting books for library benefit sale
• Repairing homes of local seniors
• Painting non-profit care center
• Cleaning up trash and litter
• Delivering holiday baskets to those whom are homebound
• Serving lunch to senior citizens
• Painting a children’s mural
• Planting flowers in community areas
• Supporting hurricane relief effort
• Keep Los Gatos Beautiful month
• During the month of April, volunteers participate in many local events such as: Los Gatos Creek Trail clean-up day, Farmers Market reusable bag campaign, Refresh a planter box event

Click on the links below to read more about recent Community Unity projects:
Volunteers Clean Up the Los Gatos Creek Trail
Los Gatos Volunteers Tidy Planters