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!

Church News Article

The Wellington Ward Corn Gleaning Service Project is featured in this week's Church News. Click HERE for the link.

LInked Up

Thank You, Again, Town Crier for the coverage on our Corn Gleaning Service Project. I could not get the link to work when I posted yesterday. Never fear, I tried again, and you can be linked with a simple click of the mouse!

If you are out of the area or don't recieve the paper, Click HERE to see the article and one of the photos used. I submitted the article written by Colin Beanziger along with several photos for the editor to choose from.

Click HERE to see all 3 Albums from the Corn Gleaning Photos. Warning...there are over 100 photos for your browsing enjoyment.

Happy New Year!

Extremes

Palm Beach County Contrasts

. This weekend, I went from working in the corn fields of Belle Glade (the agricultural section in Western Palm Beach County) to Sunday Champagne Brunch at The Breakers Hotel on the Island of Palm Beach (lifestyles of the rich and famous). A glorious lunch was enjoyed in

The Circle Room of The Breakers Hotel.

For my work, (I don't post much about the work I do as most of my clients are famous/prominent, etc. and I cannot discuss their lives in a public forum. My work takes me to the Island of Palm Beach each week.) Ron and I attended the Sunday Brunch in The Circle Room at The Breakers Hotel. Over the top deeeelish at every turn! Add Christmas decorations to the already breathtaking atmosphere of The Breakers Hotel, and you have the perfect setting for any Christmas celebration...yet....

In the middle of a Corn Field in Belle Glade, Florida, I found THE perfect setting for a Christmas Celebration. While participating with over 100 members of my Ward (Church) in a Crop Gleaning project, it was foremost in my mind that I was not only celebrating Christmas, I was LIVING Christmas.

On the Saturday before Christmas, when most people are shopping, baking ,and wrapping gifts, I had to opportunity to make some true Christmas preparations. The corn fields had been mechanically harvested; once the mechanical harvest is over, groups like ours go in and hand- pick (Glean) the balance of the corn left on the stalks. The Corn was placed in boxes and loaded onto a truck for delivery to a local food bank. Knowing I had a small part in putting fresh vegetables in the hands of some of the most needy residents of Palm Beach County gave me a feeling of joy and satisfaction.

Here are Megan and Taylor gleaning the corn.

Tonight, I submitted photos and an article for the local newspaper regarding this project. Getting the word out to local churches and service organizations is key to the success of the crop gleaning program. Every Saturday during harvest season (November-April), groups are needed for gleaning crops and preparing them for delivery to needy individuals in Palm Beach County.

Watch for the link to view all photos from The Crop Gleaning Day.

(I have hundreds!)

I'll post a few on the Wellington Ward Blog, also.

Merry Christmas!

What do you do to LIVE the Christmas Spirit?