After 14-year-old Federal Heights resident Elizabeth Smart was found missing, the community showed an outpouring of support, time and effort?and the U community was no exception.
As the lawn of Shriners Hospital filled with camera crews, food suppliers and first aid tents, volunteers from the U?including about 20 U football players and their coaches?came to provide their services.
“More than 100 U students a day have come to volunteer,” said Rob Sanders, who is helping to coordinate the effort, “But we need more.”
Friday morning, as members of the U football team did weight training at U facilities, coach Ron McBride decided they could utilize their strength by helping the community.
“We wanted to expedite the process by helping.” McBride said. “If there is any labor that they still need, we’ll be there.”
Two rotations from the team, including the coaching staff, came to transport supply boxes from trucks to the command center. Others stayed to help in the search.
Defensive lineman Sione Pouha and graduated U football player Trevor Winegar translated flyers into Tongan. Pouha and his family then distributed them throughout the Tongan community.
However, members of the football team were not the only U students involved in the effort.
“I’ve seen students here from Greek Row, LDSSA and student government. There is a wide range of people here,” Winegar said.
On Thursday, June 6, Jon Ligori, president of Sigma Nu, along with Vice President Chris Gallagher and Social Chairman Jay Nielsen, spent from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. searching Dry Creek Canyon.
“The three of us were watching TV the night before, and I told them that we needed to do something,” Ligori said.
And they did. The next morning, the three attended the debriefing before beginning their search.
“They gave us sample colors of her pajamas, taught us how to look for any signs of animal activity and trampled leaves,” Ligori said.
Though their search didn’t result in any leads, Ligori said, “It was really rewarding. We definitely felt good about helping.”
Multiple organizations at the U have helped in the volunteer efforts. Because Shriners Hospital does not have a security staff of its own, the U Department of Public Safety lent the hospital about a dozen security officers to help manage the crowds. Also, according to university officials, there are individuals at the U and alumni who have donated generously to the information reward fund.
Police have narrowed down their investigation to the neighborhood. If you are interested in volunteering, go to the Federal Heights wardhouse between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Volunteers must be over 18 with a form of identification.