PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Timbers, T2 and Thorns, along with about 1,000 volunteers kicked off Stand Together Week Monday in Portland.
This marks the fourth year for the week-long event, which supports 35 nonprofit projects in the area. The Timbers website describes Stand Together Week as a special opportunity to engage fans and community members and have a meaningful impact on the community.
The projects range from outdoor park and garden maintenance to helping with local youth initiatives.
Players attend most of the events, including forward Diego Valeri, who was at the Portland Children's Museum Monday, working on landscaping.
"We know this is important for the community and for the team," he said.
Since 2012, Stand Together Week participants have donated 7,012 hours of service at more than 100 events that benefit youth and the environment in the Portland metro area. Nonprofits served include PlayWorks!, Growing Gardens, AC Portland and the Community Cycling Center, among many others.
