150+ Volunteers Spruce Up Sequim in One Beautiful Day

When Susan Chandler knelt down to pull weeds at Carrie Blake Community Park on April 25, she summed up what drives more than 150 volunteers to give their Saturday to Sequim: "This is the most beautiful place to live, and we need to take care of it."

The annual Sequim Beautiful Day brought together volunteers from six different churches and nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity and Scouting America for one massive day of community service. Projects ranged from painting the police department's dog agility course to spreading fresh bark at Helen Haller Elementary.

Nine-year-old Myka Stewart picked up a paintbrush alongside her mom Nikki to help refresh the dog agility equipment. At Olympic Peninsula Academy, the Riley family spent their morning repainting the school's sign, with daughter Aubrey pitching in to beautify her own campus.

First-time volunteer Patsy Lovelady from Dungeness Community Church spread donated bark dust around the elementary school. "Sequim is known for helping each other, and I'm all about that," she said.

The event started in 2017 when Associate Pastor Rick Dietzman brought the concept from Silicon Valley to this coastal Washington town. His vision was simple: churches already have volunteers scattered throughout the community, so why not unite those efforts once a year for maximum impact?

Steve Young, another volunteer at the elementary school, said the day shows what churches can accomplish when they focus outward. "It's a good way to connect with the community and show that church members care," he said.

The Ripple Effect

Projects tackled on Beautiful Day included power washing, landscaping, and tasks designed for volunteers with mobility challenges so everyone could participate. Sue Rockett, who returned for her second year painting at the park, said she loves being able to help both the police department and her neighbors at once.

The event transforms public spaces while strengthening the bonds between faith communities and civic organizations. Master Gardeners Jim and Marlene Lewis worked alongside younger families, creating connections across generations.

Brian Holden captured the spirit perfectly while painting near the Boys & Girls Club bathrooms: "Service work is great. I love to help."

More than 150 people proved that a community willing to roll up its sleeves together can accomplish remarkable things in just one spring morning.