Why, when we’re all humans living next to each other, sharing roads, schools, churches, hospitals, air and water, does it seem that we’re disconnected? 

Though you’ve already voted and we know the winner, you won’t often interact with the President of the United States, or even many of your elected officials. But you are uniquely bonded and dependent on the civility of your neighbors. 

It’s ordinary people who will connect us, those who recognize it’s time for decency, cordiality and personal engagement. There’s a good way to see one another’s humanity and that’s to volunteer.

People in Murray are great at this, and in November many came together to help each other by strengthening the community. 

Freeway Interchange Cleanup – Murray Rotary

Freeway interchanges are highly visible swaths of land, noticed by many drivers, and yet they are not easy to access and maintain. When maintained, they give a sense of an orderly and peaceful community. 

The Murray Rotary started an annual cleanup event of the freeway interchanges during Covid, when they were looking to connect and serve, but couldn’t meet inside. 

At the beginning of November, in conjunction with UDOT (which provided orange safety vests, bags and clean-up tools) the rotary organized volunteer groups from across Murray to help in the effort. 

Volunteers from Murray, Cottonwood and Bingham High Interact Clubs, Latinos In Action, rotary members, and other community members worked at six interchange locations.

“We need to clean our roads, and I decided to come help when I heard about this event,” Kent Bowman, a Murray resident, said. “This was a great opportunity for me to come out and do something about it.”  

Rotary often supports local youth and high school clubs with funding and direction. “We love to help create future humanitarians,” Jerry Summerhays, immediate past president of Murray Rotary, said. “We find that the youth are just as motivated to do acts of service as the adults.”

Founded in 1957, Murray Rotary Club is one of the oldest Rotary Clubs in Utah. The club is nonreligious, nonpolitical and a nonprofit organization. It is a global community, but each club is uniquely connected to the community. 

“We are very close with the city council, fire department, police department," Summerhays said. “All communities have different cultures, organizations, politics and needs and we love to work arm-in-arm with Murray. Sometimes they call on us to help on a specific project, and sometimes we call them and ask, ‘what do you need?’”

Being a part of Murray Rotary allows members to gather for “fun with a purpose,” participating in monthly meetings and service events all year long, where they interact with friends and other community members to give back.

To connect with Murray Rotary, use the QR code above to find out about future events.

Prep and serve a meal – Volunteers of America Center for Women & Children

Utah’s Volunteers of America Center for Women & Children is a residential detoxification center located in Murray. It houses and serves women 18 years and older (and their children, if necessary) in a safe space that supports them through detox and withdrawal management. 

It is stable housing for women without a strong support system who are trying to get clean. 

Over 30 women live in the center for up to 30 days. Community volunteers can help prepare and serve a healthy meal, work in the community garden, or drop off needed clothing and hygiene items for the women housed in the center. 

The center is primarily supported by Medicare subsidies and grants through the state, but they are always in need of clothing, diapers and other hygiene items.

“Holidays are often full of difficult emotions for the women and children at the center,” Alysha Sutton, the director of Community Engagement at Volunteers of America, said. “We want the women who need help to see how supported they are, and for the community to see the good work that’s happening at our center.”

There are volunteer opportunities available to make and serve a Christmas Eve and/or New Year’s Day dinner at the Murray location. There are also opportunities across the valley at all VOA outreach centers. Here’s a link to an easy way to volunteer and serve. 

Rake your Heart Out – NeighborWorks

Matias Pedreira, the director of Community Initiatives at NeighborWorks, said that at the end of November nearly 100 volunteers from local businesses and community organizations came together to clean up the yards of older, disabled or veteran homeowners in Murray and Salt Lake City. 

They raked leaves, did light repairs and winterized the yards of homeowners who could not physically clean up their homes themselves. It’s not only good for the homeowner, but it’s gratifying for the volunteers who make a visible and appreciated difference for their neighbors. 

In 2009, recognizing the unique housing needs of Murray City, NeighborWorks Salt Lake established a separate division in Murray. This partnership with the City and Redevelopment Agency of Murray aims to provide additional housing services and facilitate neighborhood revitalization tailored to the specific needs of Murray residents.   

NeighborWorks sponsors several volunteer activities throughout the year. For more information see www.nwsaltlake.org/ or the attached QR code.