More than three hundred volunteers were out making Yuma beautiful despite the horrendous late August temperatures Saturday morning, while participating in the fifth annual
Day of Champions event. The volunteers, which consisted of Arizona Western College athletes and community members, were at the Yuma West Wetlands Park, the Yuma Conservation Garden, the Yuma Community Food Bank, Crossroads Mission, Amberly’s Place and several other locations to offer a helping hand. Some of the volunteers picked weeds, while others painted over graffiti. “This a city wide community charity event,” said Derek Gurney, owner of Outback Steakhouse, and event organizer. “We started five years ago with the idea of getting student athletes involved with community service. It was a huge success at the end of the first year and the community organizations were very impressed. We had about 15 people that year, and this year we have over 300 volunteers who have helped out.” Gurney said the organizations the volunteers helped are a crucial part of the community. “The services they provide are essential, and especially in the economic times right now, funding is hard to get. I think people are tightening up, and they depend on charitable work and donations. Times are tough and people aren’t giving as much as they normally do. If you can’t give dollars, providing time and general work means a lot.”
Jerry Smith, AWC athletic director, said volunteering is a way for his athletes to do their part for the community.