At Sequim Food Bank, volunteers, from left, Kevin Wilson, Betty Gwaltyney, Corky Schadler, Melody Wilson, John Matson and Melissa Vemi with Sequim Community Church, worked together to build two planters, fill them with dirt and plant lavender for Sequim Beautiful Day. Not pictured was Steve Gale. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

At Sequim Food Bank, volunteers, from left, Kevin Wilson, Betty Gwaltyney, Corky Schadler, Melody Wilson, John Matson and Melissa Vemi with Sequim Community Church, worked together to build two planters, fill them with dirt and plant lavender for Sequim Beautiful Day. Not pictured was Steve Gale. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)

Volunteers enhance Sequim sites for Beautiful Day

SEQUIM — Painting, planting and scrubbing were on the checklists of more than 100 volunteers for Sequim Beautiful Day.

The fifth annual event on Saturday brought volunteers from churches, civic organizations and businesses to help at Greywolf and Helen Haller Elementary schools, Olympic Christian School, the Sequim unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, Sequim Food Bank and a home on the 300 block of West Alder Street.

Some of the projects were painting the Helen Haller Elementary School cafeteria and making general yard improvements at some sites. Volunteers joined work in progress by the Sequim Sunrise Rotary and Habitat for Humanity of Clallam County at the Alder Street house to clean flower beds, plant fruit trees and paint the exterior.

Eric Mahnerd with Sequim Sunrise Rotary said the club’s volunteers had 134 hours into the project leading up to Saturday’s event, and members anticipate about another 50 hours to finish repairs and replace the deck.

The project was funded by a Rotary District grant in partnership with Sequim Sunrise Rotary, and it also served in conjunction with the Rotarians’ Earth Day Project, said Rotarian Becki Roberts.

Beautiful Day started in the Silicon Valley region in 2004 by churches and various partners to help their community, and the idea was brought to Sequim in 2017 with a two-year break during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participating churches were Calvary Chapel Sequim, Dungeness Community Church, Sequim Community Church and Sequim Valley Foursquare. Rotarians, Habitat for Humanity volunteers and members of the Michael Trebert Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution also helped.

After painting a Boys & Girls Club bathroom, Rebecca Tenzythoff with Sequim Community Church said it was her first time helping with the event and found it to be a good opportunity to show how local agencies/groups need volunteers year-round.

“People just need to reach out, whether with a church or not,” she said.

More in Life

Contestants for the 130rd Sequim Irrigation Festival’s royalty court include, from left, Roxy Woods, Glenna Cary, Lily Tjemsland, Malachi Byrne and Joanna Morales. The pageant will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Sequim High School’s auditorium. (Keith Ross, Keith’s Frame of Mind)
Five candidates set for Irrigation Festival royalty

Creative displays, QA featured on Saturday

A GROWING CONCERN: Dig this dozen garden must-haves

AS WE MOVE closer to the first days of spring, and thus… Continue reading

Shay Christensen, owner of the Pink Pony Café in downtown Port Angeles, creates a designer crepe. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Port Angeles creperie using 100-year-old recipe

Business has changed hands, but taste keeps customers coming back

ISSUES OF FAITH: Remember to keep love in your hearts

IN FEBRUARY 1995, Brigham Young University hosted a Valentine’s dance with a… Continue reading

Shape Note Concert set in Port Townsend

Danny Barnes will present a Shape Note Concert at… Continue reading

GriefShare classes offered to community

Independent Bible Church will host GriefShare at 10 a.m.… Continue reading

Sunday program set for OUUF

Julia McKenna Blessing will present “All You Need is… Continue reading

Rev. Bill Evans
Speaker scheduled for Sunday service at Unity in Olympics

The Rev. William Evans will present “Beyond Love” at… Continue reading

PLAL Aritist of the Month - Ruby Beach and Destruction Island by Steve Deligan
Port Ludlow Arts League to host artist reception

The Port Ludlow Art League will host a reception… Continue reading

Photos by Katie Newton-Salmon
2024 Sequim and Port Angeles Equestrian teams got off to a great start during its first WAHSET competition, bringing home where they brought home nine first place wins. Top row from left: Katelynn Sharpe, Kennedy Gilbertson, Savanah Boulton, Celbie Karjalainen, Asha Swanberg
Bottom row left: Coach Misty Gilbertson, PA member Olivia West, Kenzie Winters, Lilly Meyer, Joanna Seelye, Taylor Lewis, Kiaja Johnson, Paisley Morris, PA member Zakara Braun, and coach Ady Crosby. Not pictured non-competing member Paige Reed and advisor Katie Newton.
HORSEPLAY: First high school equestrian event of the year for Sequim

SEQUIM HIGH SCHOOL’S equestrian team had a “great first meet,” said coach… Continue reading

Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Sequim Ballroom intern Brie Rocha follows instructor Werner Figar’s lead as he keeps an eye on his intermediate/advanced swing class.
Dancers work on moves during classes at Sequim schoolhouse

Beginners, intermediate students learn variety of ballroom styles