Two decades ago, while working at Roche as VP, General Counsel, Kevin Marks was searching for a group volunteer activity for their employees. When a friend recommended RTP, Roche employees took on a [Re]building Day project, and everyone had a wonderful experience. Kevin contacted RTP the following day to say how impressed he was that they could successfully complete so many projects in one day. Then he added, “If you need a board member, I’m happy to get involved.”
Kevin’s commitment grew from there. He served as a board member for 16 years, including two years as vice chair. He also led the Impact and Evaluation Committee, helping the agency design metrics to measure client satisfaction and the impact of their work. And he continued to serve as Site Captain for Roche teams every year as well.
“The experience has been incredibly valuable,” Kevin said. “There aren’t many organizations and opportunities where you can walk in — and in a period of time — have such a dramatic impact on individuals’ lives.” According to Kevin, there is also something really satisfying about the tangible aspect of volunteering with RTP, being able to say you got your hands dirty and actually built or repaired something.
Kevin is quick to point out that every project has an impact, although some clearly stand out. He recalls working on a house in Sunnyvale where a gentleman had become a paraplegic as the result of a mountain bike accident. The young man’s parents had exhausted their savings to pay for his healthcare, and his brother made the decision to leave his job to care for him. Kevin was part of a team that rebuilt the bathroom in the family’s home, added a handicap ramp to the front entrance, and removed carpeting for better wheelchair access. “It was a feel-good project to improve his situation and those of his family members,” Kevin said.
In addition to helping our vulnerable neighbors in need, Kevin believes that RTP creates a positive experience for volunteers, so they naturally want to come back. “RTP is an unbelievable organization. I’ve met some great people, and it’s been an incredibly worthwhile experience,” he said.