PROVO, Utah (March 28, 2009) – In recognition of Cesar Chavez Day of Service, local AmeriCorps*VISTAs worked with United Way of Utah County to provide service projects for community members on March 28, at Dixon Middle School in Provo at 750 W. 200 North.

“Cesar Chavez was an influential leader in the Latin community,” said Carolina Baird, a VISTA and Hispanic outreach coordinator for United Way of Utah County. “He fought for the rights of the people he served every day.”

Cesar Chavez spent much of his life advocating for farm workers’ rights, economic justice, civil rights, environmental justice, political representation for minorities and empowerment for the poor in the spirit of peace and non-violence.

“As a migrant farm worker, Chavez worked hard and learned appreciation for education,” Baird said. “He believed that education was important because it gave people the skills to have specific abilities to help others in their field. Service was Cesar’s number one concern and devotion! He was involved 100 percent in his projects and demonstrated that by serving others, his needs were also fulfilled.”

The Cesar Chavez Day of Service was established as a California state holiday in 2000 and was eventually adopted by nine additional states, including Utah. The holiday celebrates the birthday of Cesar E. Chavez on March 31, honoring the man who dedicated his life to service.