Gary and Nancy Tiffany are our November Volunteer of the Month. They are being recognized for their continued efforts in picking up trash along Santaquin Canyon road. About two years ago, the Tiffany’s started walking the canyon and noticed the amount of trash that littered the sides of the road. They decided to start carrying garbage sacks with them to collect the trash. They typically fill their bags on the way up the canyon then leave the bags on the side of the road to pick up on their way back down. Two years later, they are still walking the road and picking up garbage. Thanks to their efforts, the road is relatively free of garbage, up to about the Trumbolt Picnic Area. If they find something that might have value to the owner, Nancy will post on social media that the item has been found and can be retrieved. So far there have been no takers, but she continues to try and return more valuable items to their owners.
The Tiffany’s have noticed there are tree clippings, yard debris and large household items which have been dumped over the road’s edge into the canyon. There are large items near the bottom that they are not able to retrieve. This is a reminder that it is never okay to dump garbage, even tree clippings and grass, in our beautiful canyon. The landfill is very close and free to Santaquin residents for green waste.
Gary and Nancy moved to Santaquin from Arizona two years ago and are loving the area. They have children in Spanish Fork and in Arizona. Both are semi-retired. Gary was an electrician and truck driver by trade, and Nancy was a secretary. If you go into the Red Barn, you might get the opportunity to see Nancy behind the counter.
Thank you, Gary and Nancy, for reminding us that every little effort to do good can influence others to do the same. Congratulations on being recognized as Volunteer of the Month.
Haylee & Hannah Glazner are being recognized as our Volunteer of the Month for a food drive they organized and carried out on July 31st, for the Utah Food Bank. As they watched the impact COVID has had on many families in our state, they felt a strong desire to help-out by collecting food to donate to the food bank. They feel they have been very blessed through this pandemic and wanted to give back in some way to help others.
For the food drive, they organized three collection stations through town and then spread the word through local church leaders, who willingly passed along the information to members. They also visited each business in town and put up flyers on their public boards or windows, put up a sign at Maverik, and they posted information through Facebook on the Indoor Yard Sale pages. Their goal was to collect 500 pounds of food, but they exceeded their goal at 623 pounds. Haylee and Hannah felt they had good participation from the members of our community and would like to thank those who donated.
Hannah and Haylee are daughters of Ben and Karrie Glazner. They share their parents with one brother. Haylee is a student at Utah State University majoring in Business and Hannah is a Payson Jr High student.
Thank you, Haylee and Hannah, for being a great example to the youth and adults in our community. You have made a difference in the lives of many.
Santaquin Mask Sewing is a group that started on Facebook at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was formed to bring together sewers, cutters, suppliers, and deliverers to provide local first responders and caregivers with face masks, in the south part of Utah County. The group has been able to construct over 400 masks! The group consists of about 100 women in Santaquin but there were key players in the group that did much of the work. Kathleen Provstgaard saw a need in the area and contacted Rachel Cook who then helped form the group and coordinate the project. Rachel was instrumental in keeping the group going and she also created 3D Masks to donate. There were many others such as Natalie Hughes who spent a lot of time helping figure out the best way to make fabric masks and how to get supplies. When enough people were not sewing, she texted and called individuals. She asked them to sew 5-10 masks each and she got the ball rolling. Another wonderful helper was Andrea Lloyd. She has sewn almost 200 masks alone. Chyann Kindschy also made many masks and tons of bias tape. She offered to help in any way and kept sewing until there was no longer a need. Bliss Blackburn was there in the beginning and helped get the group going as well. All these women and many more have truly shown what it means to be a volunteer and have blessed the lives of many people in our community. Thank you for sharing your talents with those who have been on the front line of this pandemic.
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Shown From left to right: Ledger Harrow, Dexter Harrow, Blake Miller, William Davis, Jasper Foy, Noah Robbins and Bridger Reimchussel. Adults in back Jim Dray, Lilon Dray. Taking the photo, Lisa Davis not pictured.
Our May Volunteer of the Month recognition goes to a group of eight-year-old boys who have taken on the self-proclaimed name of “Dinosaurs”. This group of boys meet twice a month to have fun and learn principles of character. Each has a unique personality but as a whole they are very united. For one of their projects, they chose to clean up the litter along the side of the street. “Just because I didn’t leave it behind, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t pick it up” became their motto. They shared that taking care of planet earth right here in Santaquin was a fun and fulfilling project to do. Surprisingly, no one in the group had heard of Woodsy Owl that says, “Give a hoot, don’t pollute!” From the looks of it though, these young Dinosaurs do “give a hoot!” The Dinosaurs also plastered three of their neighbor’s doors on Valentine’s Day this year with hearts and kind sayings, just because it was a nice thing to do. Thank you, Dinosaurs, for setting a great example of the volunteer spirit in Santaquin City.
Chelsea moved to Santaquin 14 years ago when she married her husband Rhet, who claimed it was impossible for a Rowley to leave Santaquin. They take pride in raising their four sons in an agricultural community, and are advocates for protecting that heritage. Chelsea loves being involved in the community and getting to know everyone. She is always working to support her neighbors, whether it’s watching their kids, taking over a meal, or networking together to accomplish a bigger goal.
Hundreds of Santaquin’s youth have been taught by Chelsea through her church callings. She can often be found at Santaquin Elementary helping shape their educational experience by guest lecturing, gathering animals for farm day, helping in the class, making copies, feeding teachers, decorating doors, organizing chess club, recruiting volunteers, or guiding school decisions through School Community Council.
Chelsea just finished a two year term on City Council, and is entering her third year on Santaquin’s Library Board. She felt prompted to start a non-profit called The Lilly Pad Project, which makes bereavement kits for stillborn babies. Through the support of our amazing community, she has been able to deliver 275 kits to hospitals throughout Utah. As the need for this service continues to grow, she is always in need of volunteers and seamstresses. Anyone who would like to know more, or become involved in The Lilly Pad Project, can contact her at chelsea@lillypadproject.org. "
Congratulations Chelsea and thank you for your volunteer work in our city!
Ross has never met a stranger. He has a special gift for relating to anyone to find their story. He has always been this way. He is often found pulled over helping someone in need, paying for someone’s dinner or buying someone much needed groceries. His willingness to always help, in situations that aren’t “pretty service opportunities”, is inspiring.
During his 20 years as a law enforcement and parole officer he was seen doing many things quietly to serve those he was connected with, through his job. Making sure their kids had clothes, making sure they had somewhere warm to sleep and helping them find jobs so they could learn to help themselves. In the winter, he is often found on his 4 wheeler making sure all of his neighbor’s driveways are clear of snow. He has spent many years helping to coach wrestling and other sports and activities that his kids were involved with in the community. He’s the kind of guy you are glad to call a friend.