This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The United Way's "Day of Caring" — a massive effort where nearly 3,000 Utahns left work to do 132 service projects across the Greater Salt Lake valley — is as much about the ritual of giving as anything, say volunteers and organizers.
"It's a nice break from the refinery, a chance to get outside and put your skills to good use; a chance to get outside of yourself," said LeMar Selman, who supervised a corps of electricians, machinists and welders from Tesoro that was dispatched to Camp Kostopulos in Emigration Canyon.
The team of 20 replaced a broken water heater and rewired faulty electrical circuits in some of the cabins, built a bridge, and repaired and stained a horse corral at "Camp K," a sprawling summer getaway for kids and teens with disabilities.
"We're just happy to be here. We've been doing it for six years, maybe longer," Selman said. "They seem to count on us, and we appreciate that."
The event itself is in its 18th year. For the United Way, it serves to foster goodwill and lasting — even lucrative — relationships with area businesses, said the charity's spokesman, Matt Riding. "It's a reminder of the importance of community, a celebration of the spirit of volunteerism."
But for those on the receiving end of all the sweat equity, the benefits are tangible and very much appreciated.
"They donated skilled labor that we normally couldn't afford," said Camp Kostopulos' director Gary Ethington. "I can't tell you the man-hours that constitutes."
Other companies that participated were CHG Healthcare Services, Rocky Mountain Power, Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Wells Fargo Bank, Williams Northwest Pipeline and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Meier's Prime Catering and Rico's Mexican Market catered a kickoff breakfast. Swire Coca-Cola, Starbucks, the LDS Church Humanitarian Center and Bagley Ice & Carbonic Inc. supplied drinks and ice.
In all, volunteers completed 13,000 hours of service valued at $100,000, Riding said.
The volunteers cleaned, repaired and did yardwork for low-income child care centers, a women's shelter and a youth mentoring program. They also read and painted with schoolchildren, and hosted a preschool party.
Day of Caring donates time to 130 projects
Nearly 3,000 volunteers from 93 businesses completed 130 service projects benefitting vulnerable Utahns and the charities that serve them in Davis, Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties. —
Want to help?
O Get more information on how to volunteer next year.
> uw.org
To donate money • Visit uw.org, click on "Contribute Now."