Service a popular holiday pastime

Chelsea Hunter, assistant features editor

There are opportunities available to serve others during the holiday season, whether it’s a family tradition or helping individuals in passing.

 

A sophomore in business marketing, Tucker Cottrell has been participating in the same service-oriented family tradition his whole life. However, he was on vacation this year and couldn’t contribute.

 

“It’s like the coolest thing ever,” he said. “I was really sad I couldn’t go this year, but I go every other year.”

 

This good deed has been going on for 23 years now and continues to grow. What first started out with a few less-fortunate people, a guitar and a pot of chili has now grown to buses full of people who come to be served.

 

“It first started with my grandparents who felt they should do something extra for Christmas,” Cottrell said. “They felt like they should invite some close friends that were struggling in their church. They had a way fun time and decided to do it every year.”

 

The gathering grows in size every year. Cottrell’s grandparents coordinate with the local homeless shelters to transport people to and from the event. The shelter gets buses to bring these people to his grandparent’s couple 100-acre horse ranch in Farmington.

 

“Last year when I went there was close to 2,000 volunteers and a little over 2,000 homeless,” Cottrell said. “It’s crazy how much it’s grown over the years, what started with a campfire and a guitar to hosting thousands of people.”

 

He said his grandparents have four large garages they turn into Santa’s workshop where kids are given toys donated from places like Deseret Industries. There is also a garage set up in an assembly line where the volunteers help families get toiletries, clothing and other supplies.

 

There is also food and entertainment, including a horse drawn sleigh, Santa Claus, a local marching band, live bands and slow cookers full of soups and stews.

 

“It’s just way neat, because you feel like this is what Christmas is supposed to be, touching as many people as you can possibly touch through an act of service, and the fact that it was started by my family I think gives me that tradition sense and makes it so special,” Cottrell said.

 

Cottrell said family tradition can be a good way to serve others over the break, but tradition isn’t needed to serve others in need.

 

A few small acts of service were witnessed by Bailey Thomas, a junior in the aviation program, like helping a neighbor move or some guys pushing out a car on their way up to Beaver Mountain.

 

“Christmas seems to be a stressful time for lots of people, and by doing service for others, hopefully some of that stress can be reduced for the person giving the service and the person receiving the service,” Thomas said.

 

Lauren Abigail, an undeclared sophomore, does some kind of service with her extended family as a tradition every year instead of buying presents for her cousins.

 

“This year we did something a little different,” Abigail said. “We donated a tree we decorated to the Festival of Trees in honor of my cousin that passed away last summer.”

 

The Festival of Trees is a charity event put on by by volunteers at the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. Every penny raised is given to Primary Children’s Hospital to help families and children in need.

 

“My cousin was always serving others,” Abigail said. “So what better way to honor her love of life and service than by decorating a tree and donating it to a good cause in her memory?”

 

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