Everett, WA. January 16, 2024 — On Monday, January 15, YMCAs throughout Snohomish County hosted “Make It A Day ON, Not A Day OFF” community service projects honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s servant leadership spirit. Despite the cold temperatures, the Y mobilized hundreds of volunteers who gave back to their local community through various service projects.
“Serving the community is at the core of everything we do at the Y,” said Peyton Tune, President and CEO, YMCA of Snohomish County. “It was incredible to see so many people come together and offer a helping hand. I love the collective ownership and community pride projects like this create.”
Four YMCA branch locations sponsored projects. From food bank projects to spreading bark at a local park, assembling care packages for seniors to trash pick-up, volunteers gave back to their communities in a variety of ways.
Marysville Family YMCA: Volunteers assembled gift packages to brighten the spirits of seniors and elders in the community. Over half of the packages were delivered to Grandview Village where residents were excited to receive a gift and also enjoyed the opportunity to fellowship with YMCA volunteers. The remainder of the gift packages were delivered to the Tulalip Tribes Senior/Elder Center.
Mill Creek Family YMCA: At the Mill Creek Community Food Bank, volunteers sorted and organized hundreds of pounds of produce, restocked and organized non-perishable food, organized storage containers, prepared food deliveries for households who can’t physically get to the food bank, and much more.
Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA: After coffee and doughnuts at the Y and a brief program commemorating the day, volunteers headed out to spread 40 cubic yards of playground chips at Rainier View Park. Upon completion of the projects, volunteers returned to the Y for lunch.
Stanwood-Camano YMCA: The Y’s Teen Leaders Club headed up the project at the Stanwood-Camano Y. Volunteers worked at the food bank taking inventory, rearranging the local thrift store, and assisting with the food bank’s backpack program that provides bags of food for teens in need. The volunteer team also conducted a trash pick-up in the community and neighborhoods surrounding the Y.
For more information about volunteer opportunities at the Y, please visit ymca-snoco.org/volunteer.
