Morning at Bella Vista High School for the 2025 Big Day of Service
A chilly breeze, a sound system scramble, and a clown in the front row. Here’s how the morning kickoff at Bella Vista High School set the tone for one unforgettable Big Day of Service.
Let me tell you, it was a chilly one. The morning of May 17, 2025, I showed up at 7 a.m. to Bella Vista High School, bundled up and clutching coffee. The air was crisp, the breeze was biting, and even though I’m not much of a morning person, the energy made it worth it. I am so glad I brought my light jacket. It was cold!
This year’s Big Day of Service was truly something special. For the first time, Citrus Heights joined Fair Oaks and Orangevale, bringing three neighboring communities together to complete more than 50 service projects across our towns. Over 1,000 volunteers participated in total, though not everyone gathered at the stadium, there was a solid early crowd ready to kick things off.
And then… the kickoff hiccup.
As they were setting up the mic and sound system for the morning rally, technical difficulties hit early. There was no sound at all, not even for the microphone. That meant we could not move forward with the planned kickoff video my team at I Love Fair Oaks had been working on for weeks. It was disappointing, but the team quickly pivoted. Bella Vista High School brought out their own equipment and speakers so that the emcees could at least be heard and keep things moving.
We shared the video later on social media and it was still a hit. But in that moment, my heart definitely sank. So much love had gone into that video.
And speaking of things that didn’t go quite as planned… can we talk about my seat choice?
I made the rookie mistake of sitting front row in the bleachers. I figured, hey, I’m up front, I’ll get great shots, right?
Wrong.
There was, no joke, a clown standing right in front of us. I’m still not sure if he’s part of the Bella Vista football hype crew, but he was doing the absolute most. Picking on people, grabbing phones, blocking everyone’s view. I didn’t even want to pull my camera out. I just sat there kicking myself, thinking, Why didn’t I go down on the field with the Orangevale Live crew where all the behind-the-scenes magic was happening?
So, lesson learned. Next year, I’m sticking with the media people and staying mobile. Sitting still when you’re trying to document a high-energy community event? Not the move.
Despite all that, once the day got rolling, this community showed up in a big way. Volunteers scattered across the region, painting, planting, fixing, organizing, supporting nonprofits, and just showing love to their neighborhoods. Before we left the field, the sun started to come out, and what started as a chilly morning turned into a warm and gorgeous day. It was beautiful to witness.
The event surpassed it’s $45,000 goal and raised $50,862. That is a huge win and such a powerful reminder of how generous and connected our community is. Mary Anne Povey and Brad Squires did a fantastic job keeping the crowd engaged as they introduced local leaders and gave instructions to get everyone ready for the day. The Bella Vista cheer team also brought the fun and kept the vibe lively.
After everything, I headed home for a quick nap (because, let’s be real, I earned it) and then rallied for the Garden Gala that evening. It was a full day, but one that filled me up in the best way.
If you missed out this year, don’t worry. There is always next time. Head to BigDayofService.us to learn more and sign up. And if you plan to take photos, pro tip, avoid the front row. And if you spot the clown, kindly redirect him to the other side of the field.
