United Way of the Tri-Valley Area ran its inaugural Week of Action June 19 to 25.

In coordination with the other United Ways in the state and local organizations, the week was to promote volunteerism and better the community, according to Community Resource Coordinator Nichole Ernest.

Events were held across Farmington and the tri-valley area. The agency sponsored a class to make tombstone for Halloween, garden and trail cleanups and training on the “art of storytelling.”

The week was a collaboration with Mission of the Eastward, LEAP and Rural Community Action Ministry, among others.

Halloween-expert Darlene Bobich Patrick helped participants pre-make props for Halloween.

“This is part of the week of action but also start to engage some people who are passionate about Halloween a little bit earlier than Halloween,” Ernest said. Patrick’s goal really is to make Farmington known as Halloween town, people coming from everywhere to see this kind of thing, she said.

Volunteers widened trails and removed brush at Stone Soup Gardens and repaired decks for local seniors.

The Week of Action was held in place of United Way’s usual, statewide Day of Caring. Ernest said United Way was “trying to think outside of the box” in the pandemic and spread out the events, rather than gather 300 to 400 people together in one place.

While some of the events were rained out, Week of Action was ultimately about making the point that volunteering can be done anytime.

“We can help our neighbors, we can clear streets, we can get involved,” Ernest said. “It doesn’t have to be a week of caring or a week of action or a day of caring, it’s just how we are. We are encouraging and promoting kindness and making our community a better place to be.”

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