Even with dried paint covering her hands and speckling her shirt, Sharks employee Michelle Victor couldn’t help but smile as she examined the work she and her fellow co-workers had completed at the Montgomery Street Inn (MSI).

The shelter—a part of the InnVision Shelter Network and located just down the street from HP Pavilion—serves homeless men in need of emergency lodging or transitional housing. On this day, as part of Sharks Sports & Entertainment’s (SSE) second “Community Day,” the drab, off-white walls of the main cafeteria were being replaced with a calming lavender and purple trim.

More than thirty SSE employees, including broadcaster Randy Hahn and mascot S.J. Sharkie, made the short walk to the shelter to clean the spacious cafeteria, prep the room, and paint the walls and trim.

“It was really rewarding to help a great organization like InnVision and contribute to improving the look of the cafeteria for their clients who are trying to get back on their feet,” Victor said.

Meanwhile, just two blocks south, a separate group of 10 employees gathered at the Julian Street Inn (JSI) to clean the dining room and kitchen, assemble thank you gifts for food drive donors, and spend time with clients currently living at the shelter.

When asked about what the most inspiring part of the day was, Sharks Media Relations Manager Tom Holy said, “It was great to hear the stories from the clients. It really crystallized why InnVision exists and how it helps a great deal of people in the Bay Area. Their stories are powerful and the organization really helps them find permanent solutions to combat homelessness.”

“Our clients were touched that people from the Sharks would be there volunteering and spending time with them,” said Jaynie Neveras, InnVision Shelter Networks Senior Manager of Community Partnerships. “It was an amazing day.”

In a continued effort to make a difference in the community, SSE and its employees are partnering with local non-profit organizations that positively affect the lives of others. SSE will continue to work through the Sharks Foundation to explore additional opportunities to schedule more “Community Day” events and continue to make a positive impact in our community.

ABOUT THE SHARKS FOUNDATION
The Sharks Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of youth and families in our community with an emphasis in the areas of Education, Health and Safety, and Character Development. Since its inception in 1994, the Sharks Foundation has given more than $5.7 million. To learn more about how the Sharks Foundation is impacting the community, visit SharksFoundation.org or Facebook.com/SharksFoundation.

ABOUT INNVISION
InnVision Shelter Network (IVSN) is dedicated to helping homeless families and individuals across Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Peninsula return to self-sufficiency and permanent housing. InnVision Shelter Network is now one of the leading shelter/housing and supportive service providers in Northern California, supporting over 20,000 homeless men, women, and children annually. For more information, visit www.ivsn.org.