More Than 100 Pitch In for Day of Caring

Westmont once again had the largest team of volunteers at the United Way’s 15th annual Day of Caring. About 115 students, faculty and staff spent their Saturday morning volunteering at North Kellogg Open Space and Ellwood School.

Last year, Westmont’s team had more than 90 volunteers take part in Day of Caring, Santa Barbara County’s biggest single-day volunteer event.

Resident Director Daniel Clapp and Resident Assistants Lizzy LeRud, Ryan Caddell and Kirsten Holshausen rounded up the record number of students.

This year the largest group of Westmont volunteers helped Goleta Valley Beautiful create a walking path along San Jose Creek. About 100 volunteers filled three Marborg-donated roll off dumpsters with green waste.

The other group of Westmont volunteers painted, landscaped and cleaned Ellwood School. Chris Call, vice president for administration, says Ryan Jorden, assistant professor of kinesiology and assistant men’s soccer coach, provided a big boost when he arrived with the men’s soccer team.

“They did the major work of hauling and distributing mulch for the landscaping all over the school,” he says.

Faculty members included Jorden, Andrea Gurney, Eileen McMahon and Michael Shasberger, who brought his daughter, Rebecca.

Staff members included Call, Darla McDavid, Lori Call, Abbey Fragosa, Joy Johnson and Kristal Keinert.