Service projects a part of Highland Fling
Dan Thomson, right, of Highland, helps other volunteers load debris into a trailer during a Highland Fling service project Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Highland. This particular service project, headed by Boy Scout and Highland resident Jackson Hare, 15, focused on cleaning up the backyard of former Lone Peak Public Safety Department police chief, Donald "Kip" Botkin. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Will Braddy, 8, helps carry a tarp full of hay with his sister, Bethany, 12, both of Highland, during a Highland Fling service project Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Highland. This particular service project, headed by Boy Scout and Highland resident Jackson Hare, 15, focused on cleaning up the backyard of former Lone Peak Public Safety Department police chief, Donald "Kip" Botkin. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Donald "Kip" Botkin, former Lone Peak Public Safety Department police chief, sits beside his wife, Laura, as they watch volunteers clean up their yard during a Highland Fling service project Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, at their home in Highland. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Branson Botkin, 12, center, of Amarillo, Texas, and Jared Hare, 13, of Highland, spray hornet nests during a Highland Fling service project Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Highland. This particular service project, headed by Boy Scout and Highland resident Jackson Hare, 15, focused on cleaning up the backyard of former Lone Peak Public Safety Department police chief, Donald "Kip" Botkin. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Dan Thomson, of Highland, helps loosen a post to be pulled out of the ground during a Highland Fling service project Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Highland. This particular service project, headed by Boy Scout and Highland resident Jackson Hare, 15, focused on cleaning up the backyard of former Lone Peak Public Safety Department police chief, Donald "Kip" Botkin. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
Sam Bird, 16, of Highland, helps bundle barbed wire during a Highland Fling service project Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Highland. This particular service project, headed by Boy Scout and Highland resident Jackson Hare, 15, focused on cleaning up the backyard of former Lone Peak Public Safety Department police chief, Donald "Kip" Botkin. Isaac Hale, Daily Herald
The theme for this year’s Highland Fling is “We Rise by Lifting Others,” and many city residents have been following that theme well this week.
New this year, residents have participated in a variety of service projects this week. Julie Tapusoa, Highland civic events coordinator, said when the city celebration organizers decided on the theme, she knew there needed to be a component of service.
Donald “Kip” and Laura Botkin were the beneficiaries of one of those service projects Thursday night. With rakes in hand, about 50 people swarmed their 2-acre home Thursday, clearing an old horse pasture of weeds, rocks, cement and old equipment.
Kids, teens and adults laughed and chatted as they worked that evening, pushing mountain-high mounds of weeds in wheelbarrows, and sometimes pushing each other around in garden wagons. The project, organized by Eagle Scout Jackson Hare, was one of four community service projects taking place that evening.
Laura Botkin explained that her husband has cancer, and with daily visits to doctors for chemotherapy and radiation, the retired couple just has no time for the upkeep of their yard.
“At this point in time, we can’t do anything. Right now, we don’t have the ability to do it ourselves. Otherwise, we’d be doing it,” Laura Botkin said Thursday night as she watched volunteers pile old weeds and grass into wagons to haul away.
“Tons of people showed up. There’s just tons and tons,” she added. “It’s just been miraculous.”
Tapusoa credited a Highland stake for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for organizing Thursday’s service, explaining that all four projects were able to incorporate Boy Scout Eagle projects.
For those who could not haul weeds, there have been plenty of other service opportunities this week. Another LDS stake organized a weeklong food and clothing collection drive to benefit Tabitha’s Way, with donation bins placed all over Highland.
Tapusoa partnered with two nonprofit organizations that have a global focus Tuesday, so residents could help those outside the community. About 40 people helped assemble hygiene items for the nonprofit Days for Girls, while another 25 to 30 organized artisans’ work for shipping as part of Elevita. Elevita was founded by Highland residents Keyne and Kirsten Monson to connect artisans in developing countries with the global marketplace.
Highland residents are also benefiting from the spirit of the Fling. Tapusoa found out late Thursday that Hideaway Storage and Bank of American Fork will be paying for residents to ride the hot air balloons during the Hot Air Balloon Festival on Friday and Saturday.
Tapusoa said residents who already reserved a spot and paid will be getting a refund.
“I thought that was super cool,” she said.
The week’s service will conclude Saturday during the Trot for Courage fun run and 5K. A portion of the proceeds from the race will go to Courage Reins, an equine-assisted therapy organization in Highland.
The Highland Fling has many more events this weekend, including a drive-in movie for youth, the grand parade, a fine art show, a fireman spray event and kids activities. To find out more about the city celebration, visit http://highlandcity.org.