Harmons brings service and play together for Taylorsville

Service and softball might be two activities that aren’t usually thought of together. But the way Harmons grocery store in Taylorsville combined the two, it certainly turned out to be a great combination.

“Harmons is a Utah-based company and wanted to find a way to give back to the community. So each store was challenged to find the best way to do that,” said Kelly Carlson, Health and Beauty manager at the Taylorsville Harmon’s.

The Taylorsville location took the challenge and under direction of Carlson, organized a day of service that would benefit the city and offer an opportunity for a community gathering.

On Aug. 13, between 60 and 80 Harmons’ employees and their families worked together at Vista Park, 5000 South 2200 West, near the lower baseball fields. In that area, the volleyball sand court was weeded and the sand re-softened to make for easier play. They also cleared and cleaned out what was believed to have been a sandbox for children at one time, adjacent to two of the ball fields.

“It’s a gorgeous park,” Carlson said. “We just thought it would be a good idea to come help out and clean it up to give people more options of what to play here.”

Carlson wanted to add to the service, though, and include something that could involve the whole community. As an avid athlete herself, it seemed natural to her that a ball game would be a great way to go.

“With Taylorsville’s love for baseball and softball, we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to do something with that as well?’” Carlson said. She arranged for Harmons’ employees to play on one team and rallied for city staff members to make up the other team. The city agreed and recruited Mayor Russ Wall, Judge Marsha Thomas, several city fire fighters, and other staff members to play in the game.

The result of Carlson’s efforts was an evening that featured several aspects of fun for all members of the community. From a food station hosted by Harmons, to a free petting zoo complete with horse and pony rides for kids, to the game itself, Carlson counted the night a success.

“We really appreciate what Harmons did out here today, the cleaning up and the game. It’d be great to see more businesses and the city come together, work together to maintain the parks and culminate in something like this, where everyone can participate together,” City Manager John Inch Morgan said.

Bob Harmon, one of the owners and operators of Harmons, was there and was pleased with what the Taylorsville store had put together. “This is awesome. It’s an activity, it’s fun, it’s family-oriented, and the fact that they’re helping the park they’re playing in is excellent,” he said.

The level of enthusiasm the day generated gave Carlson hope that it could become an annual event for the city and businesses to share.

“If we could get everybody out here, get them involved, really show how as a city we can come together to support the city, and have something that’s for everyone- for kids and parents, the whole community, it’d be great,” Carlson said.