University Honors 9/11 Through Service

Thunderbird Gardens, located near the Cedar City Golf Course, is a popular recreation area for shooting, bonfires and rappelling according to Briget Eastep, director of the Outdoor Engagement Center. “Because the area is ran by the City, it isn’t getting the attention it requires,” explained Eastep.

Eastep went on to say, “Thunderbird Gardens is full of trash and graffiti, but the City does not have the means or funds to maintain it.” This is where SUU students jumped in.

With the area being neglected the two Centers jumped in to restore the area to a more pristine condition. Student volunteers cleaned off graffiti, but they were not alone giving service on the 9/11 National Day of Service. Earl Mulderink, director of the Community Engagement Center explained that this was symbolic project to remember the lives lost and to better our nation.

With the help of 20 students, like Hailee Holt and Bailie Walker (as seen above), were able to dedicate a few hours on the National Day of Service. Holt, a junior chemistry major, said of the day, “This is my way of remembering what America truly is about, this is our land and we need to keep a priority.”

The National Day of Service was initiated by bipartisan legislation passed by Congress in 2009 explained Mulderink, who went on to say, “This law encourages Americans to engage in charitable service as a forward-thinking tribute to the victims, the survivors and first responders of 9/11.”