Day Of Service..Helping Hands-Linking Arms

Helping Hands....Linking Arms

All over the Southeastern United States, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints invited those of other faiths and community organizations to join them in a Day of Service.

For details on Day of Service activities in other areas, click HERE

Under the direction of Colin Baenziger, The Wellington Ward teamed up with CROS Ministries to organize 3 Projects. All 3 projects took place in the Belle Glade area of Western Palm Beach County. This area is afflicted by the challenges that come with severe poverty. In some areas of the Glades, it feels like being in a 3rd World Country, yet home is only separated by Sugar Cane Fields and a 40 minute drive.

Along with providing Manpower, the projects were funded by cash donations from members of our Ward. Members were generous with their time and money.

Prior to departure for the various Service Projects: President Don Smarinsky, County Commisioner Jess Santamaria, and Bishop Mark Watson

Three Projects were organized, funded, and completed:
1) Re-roofing a home for a Grandmother who is raising 8 Grandchildren. The roof was damaged in one of the hurricanes a few years back and every time it rains outside, it rains inside, also. NOW...the roof is repaired and her house will stay dry inside.

2) Building a wheelchair ramp and replacing the flooring in a trailer. This Trailer is occupied by a family of 3. One of the sons has two legs, but cannot use them. He has to crawl on the floor or use his wheelchair to get around. The floor was severely warped, making it difficult to crawl on and impossible to use the wheelchair on. The wheelchair ramp was destroyed in one of the hurricanes a few years ago.
NOW....he has a new smooth floor to crawl on and a beautiful wheelchair ramp outside. The trailer will blow away before that ramp goes anywhere...you will note in the photos below. A new refrigerator was also donated.

Ron, Don, Meaghan, Jan, and Lauren Smarinsky, Katie Klemas

3) Cornfield Gleaning. A large group went to a corn field to glean the corn left behind after the mechanical harvest. This corn ended up at Local Food Banks and in turn, was on some one's plate within 24 hours. This was a great project to have so the children could be involved in Day of Service.Katherine and Allara
TO VIEW ALL THE PHOTOS CLICK HERE, HERE, and HERE

Many hands working together can pull off miracles. I feel blessed to know so many angels disguised as every day people just "doing their part".

Did your area participate in Day of Service? I would love to hear about it!