by MATTHEW NASH
Sequim Gazette

Organizers of the National Day of Caring set a high goal for memorializing the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

 

Patrick Downie, United Way of Clallam County event volunteer coordinator, said he wants to find 1,000 helping hands to work on Saturday, Sept. 10, in conjunction with the Day of Caring and the City of Sequim’s observation of the National Day of Service. The events honor those who responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy.

 

Last year’s events

brought more than 330 volunteers across Clallam County to support nonprofits and cities’ projects.

 

Many of the same facilities and nonprofits are seeking volunteers for upkeep, including United Way projects at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, Sequim Community School and Sequim Food Bank.

 

Some of the city-led projects include painting fire hydrants, maintaining park space, trimming city lavender and more.

 

Karen Kuznek-Reese, Sequim city clerk, said the city organized the event for the first time in 2010.

“It was great to see the community come together,” she said. “We saw a lot of families working together at the water reuse site.”

 

Opening ceremonies for the events begin at 7:45 a.m. in front of City Hall, 152 W. Cedar St. Volunteering runs through noon.

 

To volunteer, visit City Hall the day of the event, call United Way at 457-3011 or visit a particular site.

Adding to the list
Businesses, churches, school groups and public agencies organized groups to participate last year. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints remains the largest participating group in the Day of Caring.
Downie said 2011 marks the 75th anniversary of the Latter-day Saints’ Welfare Program, so leaders and members of the three Sequim units of the Port Angeles Stake plan to volunteer across the city.

The full project list includes:

 

United Way:
• Sequim Boys & Girls Club — landscaping
• Sequim Food Bank — painting and landscaping
• First Teacher Playground — cleanup
• Volunteer Chore Services — landscaping, ditch repair and outdoor work for an elderly client

City of Sequim Projects:
• Bell Creek — clean up
• Police Department — install fence slats
• Fire hydrants — clean and paint citywide
• Trim lavender citywide on Sequim right-of-way
• Window cleaning in city buildings

Parks:
• Carrie Blake Park/Water Reuse Demonstration Site — weeding, landscaping
• Dog Park — cleanup, weeding and paint dog agility equipment
• Dr. Standard Little League Park; June Robinson and Margaret Kirner parks – weeding, clean
• James Center for Performing Arts — spread gravel

Trails:
• Gebhart Zwicker Trail — weeding, cleanup, maintenance

• Olympic Discovery Trail — weeding, cleanup, maintenance

 

The Day of Caring launches the United Way’s 2011-2012 annual fund drive, running September through December. Organizers set a goal to raise $1,002,011. Last year, United Way raised $900,715 for local nonprofits.

 

“We believe that local charitable giving will be the best way and now one of the only ways that we can help our most vulnerable families, children and seniors,” said Tom Baermann, co-chairman of the 2011 United Way Campaign.

 

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.