On May 17th, Serve the City Amsterdam joined the Global Volunteer Day celebration. Serve the City is a worldwide movement with volunteers from Australia to Kenya, from Paris to Nigeria. It’s truly amazing how all the cities and countries around the world are connected through Serve the City. Each one serving their own communities, yet united by the same mission. To put our amazing Amsterdam volunteers in the spotlight, we hosted a sunny picnic in the park!
Across the city, 12 volunteer projects were buzzing with action. Teams baked pancakes for people experiencing homelessness, got their hands dirty in community gardens, and brought a touch of calm with a wellness afternoon at Reade. All different, yet all driven by the same spirit of kindness.
Once the volunteering was done, we invited everyone to wind down and enjoy a sunny picnic together in the park.
Around 3:30 PM, the location was still quiet. A brief moment of stillness before the first volunteers started to trickle in. Small groups, big smiles, and in no time, the space was buzzing with energy and connection.
The picnic was our way of saying thank you. The sun showed up, the vibe was warm, and the community spirit was off the charts. Volunteers arrived in waves, the park filled with laughter, games, and heartfelt conversations. Volunteers arrived in waves, the picnic blankets filled up, and the atmosphere was full of warmth and laughter. Interviewers roamed the park collecting powerful personal stories, while photographers captured every joyful moment.
We kept the energy going with free pancakes, fun games, and great conversations. We had the chance to truly connect. People stood in small groups, chatting, laughing, and sharing stories. It wasn’t just about volunteering, it was about real conversations and meaningful connections.
Behind every volunteer shirt was a unique personality and background: from psychologists to philosophers, from teachers to storytellers. Diversity was the key word of the day — in language, profession, culture, and energy — all brought together by the common spirit of volunteering.
Around 7:00 PM, it was time to wrap things up. The last conversations slowly faded, and the leftover food was shared among everyone. As the sun began to set, new plans were already in the making. Another volunteer picnic in the park? Absolutely!
Because volunteering isn’t just something you do for others, it’s something you do for yourself too. You meet new people, step outside your bubble, and become part of a community that cares.
Curious about volunteering with Serve the City? Check out our activity calendar for your next volunteering adventure.
And don’t miss the next sunny get-together in the park! ☀️
