by MATTHEW NASH

Sequim Gazette

Organizers didn’t reach their goal of 1,000 hands volunteering their services on Sept. 10 but plenty of help turned out across the county for the United Way of Clallam County’s National Day of Caring.

Jody Moss, executive director of United Way, said volunteers worked in Sequim, Forks, Joyce and Port Angeles at a number of sites including the Sequim Boys & Girls Club, Sequim Food Bank and Sequim Community School playground.

About 35 people finished landscaping and picking up debris and garbage at the Sequim sites and some helped begin organizing the library inside First Teacher.

“I think it was a great opportunity for community members who wanted to get out and volunteer,” Moss said.

She went to the monument dedication of the I-beam memorial at the Francis Street Waterfront Park in Port Angeles and found the events went well together.

“Having a day of service followed by a day of recognition and reflecting on how we move forward as a community, I thought it was a great weekend,” Moss said.

More than a chore

The City of Sequim partnered for a second year with United Way to hold its Day of Service event, with about 40 people helping on numerous projects through the city.

Married couple Karen and Bob Eldridge moved to Sequim two years ago from San Diego, Calif., and volunteered for the first time painting hydrants with a goal of finishing 15 hydrants.

“It’s kind of important. Makes you feel like a part of the community,” Karen said.

Sequim resident Doug Hackel cleaned debris and weeds out of Bell Creek because he wanted to give back to the city.

“The city funds Music and Movies in the Park and we appreciate it a lot,” Hackel said.

Bob Larsen, a volunteer with the Dungeness ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, helped landscape in front of the Sequim Boys & Girls Club. He said volunteering gives him a good feeling.

“I’ll probably be sore tomorrow but feel good now,” Larsen joked.

City Clerk Karen Kuznek-Reese said completed projects were spreading bark chips at the dog agility course, weeding at June Robinson Memorial Park and installing slats in fencing at the Sequim Police Department.

Volunteers spent time cleaning and painting hydrants, trimming lavender, cleaning windows, picking up debris along Bell Creek and more, with opportunities available to paint hydrants and remove weeds in the creek.

“I’d like to say a great big thank you to everyone who participated on Saturday and to all the businesses that donated supplies for the event,” Kuznek-Reese said.

“This event is all about bringing everyone together and giving people a sense of ownership in the community. It was great fun and we look forward to next year.”

The joint events are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012.

For more information on volunteering, call the City of Sequim at 683-4139 and the United Way of Clallam County at 457-3011.

Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.