At Ski ‘N See, one of our operating principles is “We put people first.” In our interactions with customers and coworkers alike, we prioritize building relationships and taking care of those we come in contact with. Nowhere is this more evident than in Ski ‘N See’s annual tradition of hosting a company-wide “Day of Service.”
Started in 2019, the annual Day of Service was instituted as a way for Ski ‘N See to give back to the community. Each year we partner with local charitable organizations to volunteer in meaningful ways. In years past, Ski ‘N See has worked with organizations such as the Fuller Center for Housing, the Jordan River Commission, and the International Rescue Committee. This year, Ski ‘N See joined forces with Catholic Community Services and The Other Side Academy. As always, we had a great time!
St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall
We started our day at the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall, operated by Catholic Community Services. The dining hall serves two hot, nutritious meals to homeless and low-income individuals in need, Monday through Saturday, with an evening meal on Sundays. They provide over 7,000 meals weekly. The Ski ‘N See team rolled up their sleeves, brandished their cooking utensils, and got to work!
We assisted with food preparation for upcoming meals, as well as with the organization of kitchen storage areas. A handful of people from our group also helped to process and organize donations for the St. Vincent de Paul clothing room, which provides clients with much needed clothing at no cost. This was our third year partnering with Catholic Community Services, and it was just as rewarding as ever.
The Other Side Academy
After a company lunch in the park, we were off to our second destination: The Other Side Academy’s Thrift Boutique in Murray. What is The Other Side Academy, you ask? This excerpt from their website sums it up well:
The Other Side Academy is a training school in which students learn pro-social, vocational and life skills allowing them to emerge with a healthy life on “the other side.” Many of those who seek entrance into the Academy are convicts, substance abusers or homeless. This school accepts men and women, both pre-and post-sentencing, who are ready to learn a new and better way to live.
The thrift boutiques operated by TOSA play an important role in the fulfillment of its mission.
Following a brief volunteer orientation, we were divided into teams and tasked with designing our very own window displays for the boutique! Each team was asked to come up with a theme and a title for their display. The objective was then to showcase a good amount of merchandise in an aesthetically appealing way. Staff from The Other Side Academy served as judges, evaluating each display to determine a winner. The grand prize? An extra day of PTO! (Although all participants did receive donuts.)
After the window display contest, the Ski ‘N See crew split into groups to assist with various tasks. From processing donations to outfitting mannequins, it was a fun and meaningful afternoon.
A huge thank you to Catholic Community Services and The Other Side Academy for making our 7th Annual Day of Service so memorable! For more information on these incredible organizations, check out the links below.
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Written by Mariah Bowles
