MLK Day of Service Recap
On Monday, January 16, 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. 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 Everett Family YMCA Executive Director, Kyla McNulty. “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.”
Each of our six YMCA branch locations sponsored a different project. Here’s a brief recap of what was accomplished in each community.
Everett Family YMCA: Over 70 volunteers collected trash on a long section of the Interurban Trail, as well as the YMCA property, surrounding neighborhood, and community park. MLK Day Camp students cleaned up a local elementary school. Collectively, volunteers gathered enough trash to fill a full-size dump truck
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: Over 75 volunteers collected donated food (975 pounds of peanut butter and jelly!) and completed projects at the Mill Creek Community Food Bank. Volunteers built shelving units and a tent, sorted and organized hundreds of pounds of produce, restocked and organized non-perishable food, prepared food deliveries for our 40 households who can’t physically get to the food bank, and much, much more.
Monroe/Sky Valley Family YMCA: Volunteers spread playground chips at Wales Street Park and Currie View Park.
Mukilteo Family YMCA: Volunteers collected two carloads of food to be distributed at the food bank and worked to improve the Mukilteo Kitchen Garden. At the garden, volunteers created a new rain collection system, cleared garden beds, pruned trees, and moved dirt.
Stanwood-Camano YMCA: Volunteers spent the morning completing a park beautification project at Church Creek Park. Crews removed fallen branches and tree limbs from previous windstorms, planted 100+ seedlings and spread wood mulch and chips on the park’s disc golf course walkways. Another group, led by teen leaders, painted a large, colorful butterfly mural on the side of one of the parks prominent buildings, offering a photo-op for park visitors. Volunteers also picked up litter in the park and along the city streets and sidewalks at the park entrance.
For more information about volunteer opportunities at the Y, please visit ymca-snoco.org/support-the-y/volunteer.