Hundreds of community volunteers participated in the United Way Day of Caring on September 10, 2026, to support 19 schools within the Alpine School District. Local corporate and civic volunteers assisted with various projects, including painting blacktop games and leading hands-on STEM lessons.
The annual valley-wide initiative brought together approximately 2,000 volunteers from 53 local companies to complete 90 service projects. The day began at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, where Alpine School District Superintendent Rob Smith served pancakes to the volunteers before they departed for their assigned project sites.
At Eaglecrest Elementary School, teams from Vivint and Western Governors University worked with students both in classrooms and outdoors. Eaglecrest assistant principal Joseph Backman noted that upper-grade students engaged in interactive STEM projects designed to encourage collaboration and critical thinking, while lower-grade students listened to stories read by university educators. Teachers at the school also received new classroom books, and students utilized newly painted blacktop games during recess.
Facility maintenance was another primary focus of the service day. At Orem Junior High School, volunteers from the city of Orem worked alongside PTSA parents, school administrators, and custodial staff to restore sun-faded exterior surfaces. Orem Junior High principal Jami Dawson stated that maintaining and improving school facilities helps create a clean and welcoming environment for students and parents to thrive.
United Way is a nonprofit organization that aims to strengthen local communities by connecting businesses and volunteers with social programs and schools. United Way corporate engagement manager Caroline Glissmeyer said the Day of Caring is a true expression of what happens when a community comes together, allowing individuals to contribute their time, energy, and skills to make a difference. Erika Olson, manager of the United Way Volunteer Center, added that the activities, such as the blacktop games and classroom reading, provide opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning and connect with volunteers.
