From painting blacktop games to leading hands-on STEM lessons, local corporate and civic volunteers stepped away from their desks on September 10, 2026 to support 19 Alpine School District schools as part of the United Way Day of Caring.
United Way is a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening local communities by connecting businesses and volunteers with schools and social programs. The Day of Caring is an annual valley-wide initiative which brought together roughly 2,000 volunteers across 53 local companies to complete 90 service projects.
The day kicked off at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, where Alpine School District Superintendent Rob Smith stepped up to the griddle to flip pancakes for volunteers before they headed to project sites.
Building Stronger Community Connections
For community leaders, the event highlighted the power of working together to solve local needs.
"Day of Caring is special because it's a true expression of what can happen when a community comes together," said Caroline Glissmeyer, United Way corporate engagement manager. "People aren't just contributing resources, they're giving their time, energy, skills, and enthusiasm to make a difference. It reminds us that each of us has something meaningful to contribute."
Brightening Playgrounds and Inspiring Students
A primary focus for the United Way is creating vibrant learning environments and building social connections within schools.
Erika Olson, manager of the United Way Volunteer Center, highlighted how the service benefits both students and volunteers.
"Through our playground games painted on the blacktops, we not only provide opportunities for active play and for cultivating a love of learning among kids, but we also give volunteers an opportunity to give back to schools," Olson said. "Through our STEM and reading activities that volunteers lead in the classroom, we provide opportunities for students to engage in hands-on learning, deepen their curiosity, and connect with each other and volunteers."
At Eaglecrest Elementary School, teams from Vivint and Western Governors University worked directly with students in classrooms and outdoors.
Joseph Backman, assistant principal at Eaglecrest Elementary, noted that upper-grade students participated in interactive STEM projects that encouraged critical thinking and collaboration, while lower grades enjoyed listening to stories read by university educators. Teachers were also presented with new classroom books.
Outside, the newly painted blacktop games drew an immediate reaction from students returning to recess.
"It was fun to watch students' faces as they first saw the newly painted playground," Backman said. "They were excited and happy to have fun things to do at recess."
Renewing Facilities for Student Success
Facility maintenance was also a focus across the district. At Orem Junior High School, volunteers from the city of Orem joined PTSA parents, school administrators, and custodial staff to restore sun-faded exterior surfaces.
Jami Dawson, principal of Orem Junior High, expressed gratitude for the collaborative effort to brighten the campus environment.
"Maintaining and continually improving our school benefits our students and parents by creating a clean, welcoming environment where students can learn and thrive," Dawson said. "We are grateful to everyone who gave their time and effort to help make our school a better place."
A Lasting Culture of Belonging
Organizers hope the impact of the day extends long past the completed paint jobs and classroom visits.
"We hope Day of Caring helps build a stronger culture of community involvement—one where businesses, schools, nonprofits, and individuals recognize that we all have something valuable to contribute," Glissmeyer said. "When volunteers give their time to improve a school or support a local organization, the impact goes beyond that single project. It builds relationships, creates a greater sense of belonging, and shows community members that they are cared for and supported."
