Sequim citizens honored Sept. 11 through volunteerism.
Church groups, families, individuals and Scouts led projects on the city of Sequim’s National Day of Service and United Way of Clallam County’s Day of Caring.
City officials said they had 132 volunteers who worked 414 hours, and the United Way had 200 volunteers at 15 sites across the county.
“It might be the most we’ve ever had,” Jody Moss, executive director of United Way, said.
The biggest volunteer base came from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ three Sequim units that contributed about 100 volunteers.
In all, 337 members of the Port Angeles Stake provided services in Clallam and Jefferson counties.
”From my point of view, the service projects in Sequim as well elsewhere on the peninsula were highly effective and provided an excellent opportunity for members of the church to serve as families and to have our youth and young adults learn the value of community service,” said Patrick Downie, Port Angeles Stake chairman.
“The current dollar value of a volunteer hour of service is $20.57, so with that in mind, each and every volunteer who gave their time and talent to help the city of Sequim and United Way of Clallam County should feel especially good in knowing their service was a great worth in every respect.”
Service projects
United Way had volunteers at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, Sequim Community School and Sequim Food Bank.
They performed yard maintenance and cleaning projects.
“When visiting all the sites, I was amazed to see how many families were out there, even younger families,” Moss said.
The city led volunteers in:
• Painting the skate park
• Painting 40 fire hydrants
• Weeding June Robinson Memorial Park
• Installing slats at the Sequim Police Department
• Weeding and placing mulch at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park
• Pulling blackberry bushes and picking up litter.
Karen Kuznek-Reese, Sequim city clerk, said the projects went wonderfully.
“It was incredible to have this amount of support from the volunteers and businesses,” she said.
The event was such a success the city is planning a similar event on Earth Day, Friday, April 22, 2011.
Moss said United Way would partner with the city on the National Day of Service next year.
