Day of Service: 120 volunteers serve community

The Eatonville 9/11 Day of Service is a community day of service that has taken place in the Town of Eatonville since 2002. People from across the community come together to honor local first responders, military men and women, as well as those whose lives were forever changed during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

This year the event was held on Sept. 9. The day began at the Eatonville High School Flagpole. Pastor Josh from Daybreak Community Church welcomed everyone and recognized fire fighters in attendance from the Eatonville Fire Department. Bishop Brian Merrill from The Eatonville Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints offered a prayer. Our local Boy Scout troop led attendees in the pledge of allegiance after which a moment of silence was observed. An EHS student, Clara Chabot, played “God Bless America” on the trumpet. Jay Brower, Eatonville School District’s new superintendent, gave brief remarks and then volunteers went to their chosen project locations.

Many churches and organizations were involved in the day of service this year. Some of the projects available were: installing a seed library and weed pulling at the Mountain Community Co-op Garden, painting at Mill Pond Park, raking debris at the Eatonville Cemetery, cleaning the visitor’s center, litter pick up all over town, weed pulling at Trinity Aviation, and tree limb removal on Eatonville Highway and Antonie Ave.

Volunteers were able to have a free lunch at the Eatonville Methodist Church. Planning, organizing, cooking, serving and cleaning up lunch was a combined effort. Congregation members of four different churches made this meal possible. A huge thank you to the ladies of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic church, The Church of Christ, The Eatonville Methodist Church, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Also, thank you to the Eatonville Eagles for their monetary donation to purchase items for the meal.

Miles Pizza Depot provided the location for Cascade Regional Blood Services Blood Mobile. Seventeen units of blood were donated by community members. Lives will be saved because of the gracious giving of these donors.

A special project took place at Glacier Village, a subsidized apartment complex in Eatonville. A group of youth and adults removed outdoor plants and put in new plants as well as created an outdoor patio for the residents to enjoy time outside together. Christine Wendell said “it was rewarding to help the seniors at Glacier Village clean up and beautify their outdoor area and see the joy on their faces after the transformation.” After the work was done volunteers stayed to have a BBQ potluck with the residents and play bingo.

In total about 120 volunteers took time out of their day to serve in our community on the day of service. As the day came to an end a feeling of unity and gratitude settled over the town of Eatonville. The service rendered left a lasting impression. When you see new paint on the picnic shelter at Mill Pond Park or fewer leaves on the cemetery grounds, think of the great people in our community and take a moment to express gratitude for each of them.

Would you like to volunteer on the day of service next year? Do you have the perfect day of service project in mind? Stay up to date by joining the Eatonville Day of Service Facebook page or contact Sara Wendell at srwendell80@gmail.com.