Spanish Fork residents participate in National Day of Service

On September 10, hundreds of residents in Spanish Fork took time out of their day to serve their community on the National Day of Service. According to City Councilmember Stacey Beck, the day was a positive one for the community.

“Over 500 residents showed up to paint the entire 3,000 feet of the cemetery perimeter of the fence, and in 2 hours 35 gallons of white paint had covered the fence! Over 100 people cleared weeds, small limbs and debris along the River Trail from Canyon View Park to Main Street, as well as on Poplar Lane Trail from the trailhead to River Bottoms Road. Many hands make light work! Tabitha’s Way had over 13k pounds of food donated to their pantry. This significantly helps, especially since this year their shelves haven’t been as full. Thank you, Spanish Fork, for your generosity and volunteer spirit!” Beck said in a Facebook post.

Sept. 11 has been designated as Patriot Day since December 2001, and recognized as an annual National Day of Service and

Remembrance since 2009. Due to this, many residents have been looking for ways to serve on this day.

According to Spanish Fork Facilities Division Manager Bill Bushman, painting the fence at the cemetery came about when a community member was looking for a way to help.

“In July I was contacted by a resident named

Brady Jex requesting a service project for his Spanish Fork Stake for the National Day of Service,” Bushman said. “I coordinated with him and then eventually with Ryan Tanner of the South Stake. We all worked together to divide the 3,000 linear feet of the cemetery fence into 17 equal sections of 180 linear feet of fence – one section for each of the 17 wards assigned to attend. The city supplied the paint and tools and the volunteers supplied the labor and smiles. We used over 35 gallons of paint, 255 3-inch roller kits and 255 3-inch brushes.”

Even though the National Day of Service has passed, Spanish Fork City officials encourage residents to continue to find ways every day to serve throughout the community.