Eastside Rebuild is a massive operation with minimal staff. Volunteers are the lifeblood of what makes it work. Between managing inventory, repairing tools, and simply giving the warehouse a good sweep there are tons of ways to get involved.
GET INVOLVED
Three Basic Types of Volunteering
Store & Tool Library help
This is our most basic and most common volunteer work. From donation processing to checking in and out tools, this position helps keep operations smooth and impactful. No experience required.
Salvage Help
These are volunteers with some base skills in tool use and construction (DIY is fine!) as we can always use knowledgeable hands to take materials and buildings down. These shifts can be longer but have lots of payoff.
Skill-Based
These are people with a specific skill they hold that they would like to help us out with. From bookkeeping to tool doctors, these volunteers help us out with their specific skill-set or industry. Our Repair Cafe Fixers also fall in this category.
Volunteer Interest FAQ
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Store & Tool Library: sort/price donations, test tools, help customers.
Salvage & Deconstruction: de-nailing, sorting, safe removal, loading.
Skill-Based: accounting/bookkeeping, design/marketing, photography, IT, safety docs.
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Store & Library help shifts are 2 hours. Longer blocks are great when you’re able.
Typical salvage shifts are booked at an estimated time, but often 4-6 hours.
Skill based is typically based on your time & availability. -
We typically host orientations for store & library help on Wednesdays at 2PM or Saturdays at 10AM. We can work around your schedule if needed.
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No experience is needed for Store & Library help. Some experience is needed for other positions, and salvage & decon can be worked into from someone starting in store help.
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Store/Tool Library: during open hours.
Salvage/Decon: project-based; weekdays or weekends as jobs come up.
Skill-Based: flexible around your schedule.
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Closed-toe shoes for all roles. For salvage: boots, long pants, layers, water/snacks. We provide tools and PPE (gloves, eye/ear protection, hard hats as needed).
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It’s more physical and may involve lifting and outdoor work. Tell us your limits—there are lighter tasks too. (Salvage is 18+; store roles can be lighter-duty.)
Salvage will give you access to loads of free material, and steep discounts in the store from just one 6-hour shift.
Depending on the job, salvage crew may even be paid or compensated in material credit. -
We’re especially looking for:
Finance & Operations: bookkeeping check-ups, grant research, and fund raising.
Design & Marketing: flyer creation, social media posts, short videos, signage and posting flyers around town.
Photography & Copy: helping us dial in SEO and photography for our website and content.
Event Help: helping us organize some of the larger events ESR has produced in the past- Trash 2 Treasure and others.
Some roles can be one-time projects; others are ongoing. Tell us your skills, and we’ll match you to a need.
Our first volunteer party in November 2023 with a crew helping us build out store infrastructure!