Comcast Employees, Rep. Keith Ellison Shine at Harbor Light Shelter

The third floor of The Salvation Army Harbor Light Shelter in Minneapolis is now as brightly colored as the hearts of Comcast workers.

On May 3 nearly 40 employees from Comcast – a national cable, Internet and communications company – spent three hours brushing gold and pink paint onto Harbor Light hallway and dormitory walls.

The cheery chore was part of “Comcast Cares Day,” one of the nation’s largest single-day corporate volunteer efforts. About 1,400 Comcast employees and their friends and families volunteered across the Twin Cities, part of the 50,000 people who volunteered nationally.

“These volunteers have helped make this place a whole lot more inviting,” said Envoy Bill Miller, Harbor Light administrator. “Harbor Light’s mission is to treat with dignity the people who come to us, and to provide them with the best place we can. Comcast volunteers have helped us continue this mission.”     

Despite paint-splashed clothes, hands and faces, the volunteers enjoyed their activity.

“What a great experience,” said Shavonne Meyer, wife of Comcast communication technician Travis Meyer, as she dabbed her brush into a bucket of pink. “We like doing this.”

Her son, Chase, 3, painted beside her. He was eager to boast about his wealth of past painting experience.

“I painted Mommy’s living room,” he said.

Before the painting started, Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., gave a speech to the volunteers about how crucial Harbor Light is to the health and vitality of downtown Minneapolis. Ellison first became involved with Harbor Light in the early 2000s, long before he took his U.S. House of Representatives office on Jan. 4, 2007.

“(Ellison) is unlike a lot of politicians – he supports us always, even when there are no cameras or political people around,” Miller said. “He has always been there for us. He sees Harbor Light as a huge part of the way to deal with the issue of homelessness. He is a champion for The Salvation Army and Harbor Light.”

View photos from Comcast Cares Day.