Updated 9/10/10
The city of Sequim and United Way of Clallam County are joining to create a sense of community through opportunity on Sept. 11.
They are honoring the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy with service projects.
United Way is pairing its annual Day of Caring with the National Day of Service that was created to honor the victims of 9/11 by helping others.
"We have hundreds of people on various projects across the county," said Jody Moss, executive director of United Way of Clallam County.
"Between the United Way and city of Sequim’s projects, it should be a great day for getting some work done."
Sequim city councilors voted to honor the day each year by leading service projects in the city.
"This will be an annual event, and we look forward to its continual growth," said Karen Kuznek-Reese, Sequim city clerk.
United Way Sequim project locations include:
• The Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Fir St.
• First Teacher Playground, corner of Third Avenue and Alder Street
• Sequim Food Bank, 144 W. Alder St.
"These opportunities give people a chance to work with different people and connect with agencies they haven’t thought about before," Moss said.
"It also affords families an excellent opportunity to partner and model a service mind-set to their children."
Prior to beginning each project, a moment of silence will honor those who lost their lives and whose lives were changed on Sept. 11, 2001.
A brief service will be held at 7:30 a.m. at the Sequim Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ flag pole at 815 W. Washington St.
Other United Way agencies countywide are leading projects in conjunction with Sequim’s.
The Day of Caring launches the United Way 2010-2011 annual fund drive.
This year’s campaign theme is "Helping Our Community Live United" with a fundraising goal of $1 million.
United Way raised more than $953,000 in 2009, which was distributed to local nonprofit agencies.
For more information, contact United Way of Clallam County at 457-3011 or jody@unitedwayclallam.org.
City of Sequim/Port of Port Angeles projects
• Clean-up at Carrie Blake Park and the Water Reuse Demonstration Park, 202 N. Blake Ave.
• Installing green slats at police department
• Painting fire hydrants
• Removing overgrown blackberry bushes
• Weeding in parking strips throughout the city
• Clean-up at John Wayne Marina
The city of Sequim and Port of Port Angeles are co-sponsoring projects inside the city limits.
So far, volunteers from the Boys & Girls Club, Sequim Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, city employees and councilors and citizens have signed up to participate.
In Sequim, Costco is providing food and Walmart is providing bottled water.
Volunteers will meet at 7:30 a.m. at Sequim Transit Center, 190 W. Cedar St.
For more information, call Bobbie Usselman or Karen Kuznek-Reese at 683-4139.
Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
