Utah youths complete service initiative

A yearlong service project ended Saturday for the thousands of Utahns who participated in the Utah Youth Service Marathon.

It was the largest youth service initiative in Utah history and was designed as a way to help young people learn the value of service, said Judy Zone, executive director of YouthLINC, which sponsored the marathon.

"That's something they can carry with them and can help them understand their own power to do something good," Zone said.

Volunteers participated in at least one of 26 projects across the state. Projects included planting community gardens, assisting young victims of domestic violence and preparing a get-to-know-you event for refugees living in Utah.

Michael Morgan, president of the University of Utah chapter of Physicians for Human Rights helped organize a special Kid's Day on Saturday for children living at the YWCA with their mothers.

Morgan said he felt it was important to help children who are the unfortunate victims of violence and to also assist women in finding resources.

"The role of women and the role of a healthy family in society is at the core of preventing so many social ills we deal with," he said.

Other projects included a three-city effort by volunteers to install drip lines and irrigation lines in gardens operated by Utah Gardens. Any food grown in the gardens goes to help needy families and agencies that help the needy.

Sponsors of the Utah Youth Service Marathon included the state Office of Education and Utah Commission on Volunteers. The Eccles Foundation provided funding for projects across the state.