Spy Hop Productions Update

Well, there is very little to update for this month. We have made many contacts and are very excited about the projects that are getting underway. The most difficult part of this project is the scheduling. Thanks to all of you who have replied to me about the times and dates of your projects. I look forward to meeting with you and interviewing your participants.

Painting, Painting and more Painting

Right now our project is almost half way done. A little over a third of the entire mural has been painted so far. Over 130 students have painted a section of the mural with their “Big”. It looks amazing so far and it has been exciting to see it come alive and to see the different ideas that the matches are coming up with. There are kids painting fences, telling others not to cut down trees, donating clothes and toys, giving food, recycling, teaching skills, and just being a good friend.

I have been working with a couple of art education classes at the University of Utah. We currently have 5 students also helping with the project. They are putting together lesson plans and teaching our matches about service, murals and art; including composition and painting.

It’s definitely starting to feel like crunch time. With only two months left we’ve still got a lot to do. With the help of the other staff at Big Brothers Big Sisters and the college students I am sure we’ll get it done. Since the last post students from Emerson, Redwood, Pleasant Green, The Boys and Girls Club of Midvale and Nibley Park have painted on the mural.

SK8ers Gather for Planting

Rudibeckia triloba, gaura lindheimeri, coreopsis, echinacea purpurea, salvia caradonna, "heavy metal" switch, miscantus malepartus and "big twister" juncus . . . not the spelling list from your Latin class, but the names of beautiful, colorful and heat resistent perennial wildflowers and grasses which have been ordered by the City of St. George for planting at the Rotary SK8 Park! On the second of several national service days, focusing on the completion of landscaping at the Rotary SK8 Park, youth volunteers will gather first on Saturday, March 14 at the city's greenhouse to plant the fragile seedlings into little containers. On Saturday, April 18 youth volunteers will come together again to put the plants into the ground at the SK8 Park . . . and on Global Youth Service Day (Saturday, April 25), three trees will be planted at the park entrance signifying the 3-fold vision of the SK8 Park project - community service, leadership and skillbuilding - alongside the new and permanent Rotary SK8 Park sign. Although the involvement of the Youth Volunteer Corps of Washington County is just the beginning of this 3-acre landscaping project, we are excited about the opportunity to work alongside the Rotary Club of St. George and the City of St. George. Plans are already being made for more youth volunteer service opportunities at the Rotary SK8 Park on Make-A-Difference Day (Saturday, October 24) and Family Volunteer Day (Saturday, November 21).

Shara, Matt, Suzanne/Heidi, and Linda,

Thank you all so much for your first months post. It is so great to see a little bit about what each of your projects is involved with. It looks like there is some great planning and progress being made. I hope to continue to see great things from your organizations and youth. Please give your participants a pat on the back, the Commission on Volunteers recognizes and appreciates their hard work and efforts!

I can't wait for February's post, keep in mind, you may post more than once a month if you would like. Keep up the great work!

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has".
--Margaret Mead

Food Bank Project

The Six County Volunteer Connection (RSVP & Volunteer Center) kicked off the Global Youth Service Day Project on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19th, 2009. Boxes have been distributed in local grocery stores throughout the Six County Region which includes (Sevier, Sanpete, Piute, Wayne, Millard, and Juab Counties) to collect food for Central Utah Food Share due to a higher demand in needed food. Local 4-H youth were designated to man the boxes and encourage residents to donate at least one item of food while doing their regular grocery shopping.