A file photo of Pete Grimnes using a chain saw to cut up a tree blown over the night before at the Wellsville Cemetery on the National Day of Service Saturday Sept. 11.
LOGAN – A university study reported that the benefits of volunteer service puts people in contact with others helping them develop a solid support system, which in turn protects against stress and depression when they are going through challenging times.
Cache Valley has more volunteer service opportunities than there are people willing to take them on, said Gary Anderson, the JustServe coordinator for Cache Valley since 2016.
He is an advocate for the program and wants everyone to know there are plenty of service opportunities all around the area.
“We are always in need of volunteers,” he said. “We would like to get more registered users for JustServe to help us meet the needs in Cache Valley.”
There are many nonprofits that are always in need of help and the schools are always looking for volunteers in a lot of different areas.
“It would be great if people had questions or if people have projects, they need help with just contact us,” he said. “People can with any amount of time they have available.”
He said there are ongoing projects, some are just a few hours on a given day and some could go for months.
There are some groups, families and businesses that want to get their people involved in doing volunteer service to the communities they operate in.
“The Warming Center will be opening soon, and we will posting opportunities to help the homeless people get out of the cold,” he said. “The Cache County Senior Citizen Center does more than Meals on Wheels. They do a lot to support seniors in the valley.”
He said the Boys and Girls Club, CAPSA, The Family Place, Little Lambs, The Cache Food Pantry all need volunteers for support and help.
“We have so many great people that can do so much to help someone,” Anderson said. “If people would just register on JustServe there are many people and organizations that could use them.”
The area is getting an influx of immigrants and Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection (CRIC) needs humanitarian kits, clothes, blankets. and other supplies to help them adjust to a different life.
Although JustServe was organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints the board of directors has leaders from the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, IsraAid, Catholic Relief Services, Rotary International and other national service organizations.
“The LDS Church is not looking recognition; I don’t talk about the church when I talk to people about JustServe,” he said. “It’s a fine service to the community. It’s not a fund raising organization. We don’t want anyone handling money. We have no profits, they don’t want us to be cashiers.”
He mentioned projects to help people with autism and reading programs across the valley.
“If you have a willing heart, if you have a desire to help, you can serve,” Anderson said. “Out of site, out of mind; there are service opportunities everywhere.”
Think of all the organizations trying to do so much for so many they can use help keeping their buildings clean.
“The service clubs like Kiwanis, Rotary, Red Cross United Way and others are designed to give service and they all need people,” he said. “They have different drives they need people to help with.”
Anderson said he would love to talk to people about the program. He wants to get the word out about what JustServe Cache Valley can do to help the community.
For questions, or if they have projects, they want help with just contact JustServe.org or call contact Gary Anderson at (435) 232-5929.