Carson City's symbol of volunteerism

From time to time, we are inspired to look around Carson City at the ways residents contribute selflessly to their community and offer a few pats on the back. This truly is a remarkable place.

One of those instances came Saturday, when volunteers spent a good part of their day making sure the flag on C Hill remains respectable and presentable.

When the flag first went up, it was clear there was going to be a need for regular maintenance. Sixty or so volunteers turned out Saturday to pull weeds, move rocks, clear a fire break and set down a weed barrier.

We expect the C Hill flag to remain a symbol of Carson City's patriotism, and a reminder of the Sept. 11 terror attacks, for a long time to come.

The flag is also the most visible symbol of volunteerism in Carson City.

The day before, for example, members of the Host Lions Club were helping at the Legacy of Bordewich luncheon, which drew attention not only to the history of the school building, which was once the high school, but to the upcoming bond election to build an addition that will replace portable classrooms.

Another Saturday event was the Carson City Library Foundation's annual Oktoberfest to raise thousands of dollars for the library, as it attempts to serve growing populations -- many of them outside the city limits -- on a tight budget.

Even temporary residents like the inmates at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center, some of whom are going to be there a long time, got into the act over the weekend by raising money to fight breast cancer.

Across town, Soroptimists were raising money for the same purpose at a golf tournament. Last week's "Think Pink" campaign was a tremendous awareness-raiser on breast cancer.

From the recent Carson River cleanup to every weekend's bevy of fund-raising car washes, few days go by when Carson City residents aren't giving their time and money to make their community a better place to live.

Not all are recognized. While this newspaper tries to cover as many of these efforts and events as possible, we also know that many toil out of the spotlight, satisfied that they have made their contribution. To all of you, a salute and a sincere thank-you.