There’s a powerful force taking over Rocklin, one event at a time—a workforce, that is. Rockin Cares is a volunteer program geared toward providing volunteer services to local businesses, charity groups and special events. Started in March 2013, it was the city’s initiative to match local volunteers with these events. “We realized that there was a need for volunteers for the city’s special events, as well as for local businesses’ and group’s projects, so we implemented a program that would assist everyone in their needs,” says City of Rocklin Recreation, Arts and Event Tourism Business Technician, Chris Meyer. 

And in just a few years, much progress has been made. “We have a little over 1,000 active registrants in our volunteer database. Per special event, we use, on average, between 15 and 25 volunteers; [while] the ongoing volunteer programs can run through 100 volunteers a year,” he adds. 

According to Meyer, volunteers range from junior high students looking for school credit, to senior citizens looking to help their community. Projects and tasks also vary, like helping to clean parks, moving stone to create walls, working at information booths, being ushers at concerts and helping set up and clean up events. “Most events are city events; however, nonprofits such as Compassion Planet, the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, the Rocklin Historical Society, Rocklin Chamber of Commerce and Meals on Wheels, just to name few, have regular events each year too,” says Meyer. 

Volunteers have already helped gather donations and worked tables at the upcoming Healing Heroes Motorcycle Poker Run that provides for wounded veterans, as well as man tables and booths for everyone’s favorite Woofstock event, which draws 10,000 people every summer. “We look for volunteers who are excited about assisting their community; ones who are punctual, friendly and willing to help. [These] are a few characteristics we value,” says Meyer. 

This is how it works: on the City of Rockin’s homepage, there is a “volunteer” tab that directs you to a calendar where you can register for, or create, an event. The staff will then manage and match volunteers to the events, acting as an initial liaison between the two, after which the event organizers and volunteers can get in touch. 

All in all, the Rocklin Cares program has helped the city and its local businesses by making it easy to create events and request volunteer services. It has also saved the city a lot of money and created networking opportunities for businesses and people. In a growing city with a population of over 60,000, a move like this can only be beneficial in the long run, creating a well-knit and well-served community. 

Upcoming events include Rocklin Ramble (April 30-May 1), Healing Heroes Motorcycle Poker Run (May 21), Woofstock (August 26-29), and Patriot Day and Kids Fest (September 11), among many others. 

To learn more and sign up, visit rocklin.ca.us/volunteer. Written by Tara Mendanha. Woofstock photo courtesy of Woofstock. Patriot Day & Kids Fest photo courtesy of City of Rocklin. Meals on Wheels photo courtesy of Meals on Wheels by ACC.