United Way Day of Caring and City Services Fair

Hello all!

Last year, I had the awesome opportunity to help with the huge breakfast to feed the volunteers for the United Way Day of Caring at LaVell Edwards stadium. This year I thought it would be great if I could get more deeply involved. So I contacted the United Way, and they made me the site manager for the Provost Elementary project. Woo hoo!

The United Way Day of Caring is a amazing day where companies and organizations from Utah Country come together in a combined effort to tackle various service projects all over the city. 

The morning of the Day of Caring, we arrived at Provost elementary armed with nearly 30 cans of paint, stencils, rollers, and an enthusiastic group of volunteers. 

These volunteers included a group from Adobe, the Provo Freedom Festival, Girl Scouts of Utah, and Vital Smarts. 

Our task was to paint playground games on several of the blacktop areas around the school and wash some of the outside windows. Our group efficiently divided up into smaller groups to paint games of hopscotch, a map of the U.S., and alphabet caterpillar, and several others. 

Nancy from The Provo Freedom Festival working on hopscotch 

Adobe working on a U.S. map

Intermittently children were released for recess, and many excitedly crowded around the projects, asking the volunteers questions and thanking them for the games. The principal made several trips outside to bring folder after folder stuffed with hand-made thank you's from the students. 

By the time we all left, my hands were covered in paint and my heart was happy. My second attendant MaCall Weight also came to help out! 

MaCall and I

The weather was sunny and clear and the volunteers happily worked until the games were finished. Thanks and compliments go to the United Way of Utah County for the excellent planning and organization of these projects. We had everything we needed, almost to the exact amounts. And we had an incredible time! I personally hope very much to be involved again next year with this awesome event! 

At our finished hopscotches!

Earlier that week, we attended the city services fair. It was fun and interesting to see all of the different departments that work to make this city run smoothly!

 I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the absolute best part of being Miss Provo is meeting and interacting with the wonderful people of this city. I believe in the significance of every human interaction, and I will never tire of making these new friends!

 Oh, and did I mention a hurricane decided to come and break up the party? :)

Have a great week and best wishes,
Kaiti

Parades!

Last Monday's Payson Onion Days Parade marked the last of our summer parades. We had an INCREDIBLE time over the summer getting to interact with the fun, vibrant, wonderful people of Utah Valley! Below are a few highlights of some of the summer parades.

Let me first introduce you to our float: we have our bald eagle on the back (affectionately named George, after our first president), a Frontier Airlines plane to celebrate the re-opening of the Provo airport, all tied into an American theme under the motto "Freedom To Soar." 

At Lehi Round-Up Days

Enjoying the Pleasant Grove Parade

At our final Payson parade with the "Queen's Choice" Award 

Perhaps our favorite of all of the parades, was the children's 4th of July parade held at Memorial Park in Provo. And can you blame us? These kids couldn't be cuter! 

Yee-haw!

As much as we loved visiting all of the other fun cities in the valley, we were thrilled to be home for the fabulous Provo Freedom Festival parade! Which was easily the biggest, hottest and longest parade of them all. We loved every minute of it.

Red manicures for the parade! 

Getting gifts ready for the other floats.

Handing out gifts for the other floats

With the awesome and newly-crowned Miss Utah, Kara Arnold!

 Our friends, the lovely ladies of the Orem and Spanish Fork Royalties

On our home parade route in front of Provo High School, joined by Miss Senior America Boni Losee!

This post is the second in a series of catch-ups from the summer. I appreciate your patience :) More to come! Thanks for stopping in and have a wonderful weekend!

-Kaiti