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Show -N E W S- Spanish Fork Salem Youth Council: WEDNESDAY, D E C E M B E R 19, 2007 - 1 9 Covering what matters most Providing service throughout the year Marilyn Nielson STAFF WRITER This year, the Salem City Youth Council is continuing their yearly tradition of participating in a Sub for Santa program. The 39 youth council members, who are in grades 10-12, will help three local families by shopping for, wrapping and delivering Christmas presents. The Youth Council is still in need of donations for this project, and anyone interested in helping can bring their donations to the Salem City offices. Financial donations would be best, since that will enable the youth council members to shop for and pick out the right kinds of gifts for each family. December is a particularly busy month for the Youth Council, as they have two other activities going on in addition to their Sub for Santa project. On Dec. 22, they will participate in the Christmas parade with their own decorated float. And on Christmas Eve, the youth council members will help decorate the cemetery with luminarias — paper bags filled with sand, with a lighted candle inside. The luminarias around the cemetery to provide a beautiful, candlelit scene at the cemetery for Christmas Eve. Members of the Salem Youth Council are selected through an application and interview process. Julene Meservy, Youth Council advisor, said she shares seven expectations with the kids and asks if they will commit to fulfilling all seven. In spite of their busy schedules — youth council members are also heavily involved in sports, choirs, dance, church groups, etc. — she said all this year's council members have been really committed to serving and getting the most out of their Youth Council experience. Youth Council members spend most of their time doing community service, whether it is through fulfilling assignments the Salem City Council gives them, or looking for needs around the community and brainstorming ways they can help. Each council member must participate in 12 of 17 activities during the year, and attend six of the nine youth council meetings, Meservy said. In November, the Youth Council helped with Pondtown Christmas. After the City Council asked for the Youth Council's help, the kids decided to serve hot chocolate and donuts, which they did free of charge for over 600 people. They also helped in the community by raking and bagging leaves and taking them to the dump. Meservy said she is really impressed with the caliber of this year's youth council members. "They are some of the busiest kids around," she said. "But they still want to take the time to help out and Courtesy photo FOOD SERVICE: Members of the Salem Youth Council served donuts and hot chocolate to over 600 people at the Pondtown Christmas lighting ceremony. serve their community." And their community outreach is not limited to the holiday season. In January and March, youth council members have the assignment of finding something that they think should be done in the community, and then joining with a partner to help out and meet that need. They are also planning a Food Drive for sometime in February. For those who think they would be interested in joining the service efforts of the Salem Youth Council, the council accepts new applicants every August. Applications are available to high school students in the tenth through the twelfth grade, and can be obtained at the Salerri City Offices. tivwi • - * — • • * * • - - t y$is fling you a most joyous FLO CicCay season! Karl M. Francis, DDS for ChBdren & Adutts Dipbma** of Ih* Amwioan Bx*d of Orihodan(fcl» Serving you has truly been a real treat for us. HapDV Holidays Everyone! GRAPHICS 8peciaU*h*ff in Smile*Jbr the Entire Fbmtty Center, Spanish Jor k 798-8226 • www.docfrancis.com V; Screen Printing • T-shirts • Jackets Signs • Banners • And more 409 West 300 South • Salem, UT 84653 (801)423-2625 |