by Jeff Raisor
Contributing Writer

As you walked into the Sevier County fairgrounds exhibit hall on September 4, one saw a sea of activity as hundreds came together to help in a worthy cause.

The fifth annual 9/11 Humanitarian Day put on by the Sevier Valley Interfaith Council and JustServe was created to remember and honor those we lost in the September 11, 2001 attacks. “It’s meant to be a day where as many who want to serve, can come and do exactly that,” said JustServe Regional co-director Laurie Rose.

Between 400 and 500 volunteers performed a variety of services over the seven hours of operation Wednesday. Service opportunities included making food boxes and art kits, tying quilts, making jump ropes, assembling hygiene kits, filling backpacks, creating mini educational kits, donating blood, assembling golf games, packing Christmas shoeboxes, making monster dolls, weaving mats, creating mini school supply kits, making sock dolls, covering birthday kits, making bracelets, and assembling educational folders.

Projects benefited the New Horizon Crisis Center, Central Utah Food Bank, Samaritan’s Purse, Justice Center, Humanitarian Center, the homeless, Primary children’s Hospital, Stitching Hearts, American Red Cross, and more.

Athenian Academy students came to assist for a couple hours as they helped assemble hygiene boxes, make jump ropes, and weave plastic bag mats. There were youth groups, retired individuals, business professionals helping on their work lunch break, stay at home moms, local church leaders, non profit organization board members, and other everyday citizens that wanted to help make a difference.

Some of the Sevier Valley Interfaith Council and others that made this event possible consists of Laurie and Collin Rose-JustServe Regional Directors, Kelsey Ames- Valley Community Presbyterian church, Gail Day- Central Valley Stake Humanitarian, Rosalee Riddle, Sonja Sheffer, Melissa Lee, Marilyn Nay, Stake Relief Society presidents, Jerrel Dowell- Monroe Stake Humanitarian specialist, Bruce Allen- Bible Church, Elizabeth Finlinson, Neal Bosshardt and Kristi Huntsman, Mary Kelly from Sevier Valley Presbyterian church, Diane Carroll- Area Coordinator for Samaritans Purse for the Bible church from St. George, Communication Council Specialists- Johnson and Robison, and many more.

“We are always looking for where the needs are. First, locally, then we branch out,” said Laurie Rose. “We try to do as much as we can to help as many as we can. This project has been a fantastic way to bridge the gap between different religions and denominations in the area and come together in one common cause.”