By Steffanie Mohan
Hundreds of volunteers labored to beautify Orem neighborhoods during a blitz Saturday morning.
Several prominent city members, including the mayor of Orem, worked side-by-side with other city residents to spruce up yards, paint houses and clean up trash. They met at Hillcrest Park in Orem to get assigned to an area before splitting up into service groups.
“Service is really the most important thing we can give because it benefits the giver as well as the receiver,” said Jerry Washburn, Orem”s mayor. After thanking volunteers and giving them last-minute instructions, he left for his own service assignment.
Harvard Jensen, whose house the mayor visited, soon had him digging grass out of the flowerbeds. Jensen asked him if he didn”t have some other meeting he had to go to. The mayor shook his head and chuckled.
“This is where I”m supposed to be,” he said. “We can get the willing and the needing together, and we can really make a difference.”
Other volunteers said they liked the project for similar reasons.
“It”s just fun helping people out and working together,” said Hillary Martin, a member of the Orem Youth Council. The Youth Council consists of Orem High School students from different schools. The council participates in six to eight service projects a year, and this was one of them.
“We”re here to beautify the city or shame the neighbors, whatever way you want to put it,” said Alie Hansen, a Youth Council adviser. “It was great (to work with the mayor).”
Many of the Youth Council members hauled old fragments of wood to the curb. Meanwhile, city council member Les Campbell cut down weeds that went past his ankles.
“You want a breakfast salad?” he said, revving up his trimming machine. “Right here, we”re ready to go. Throw in a radish and some onions.”
Soon the group finished the chores at that house and helped at two others.
Everyone went to the park for a picnic afterwards.
Jodi Ashworth said the best part about service projects is seeing and getting to know the people she helps.
