by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Representative
9/11 was a tragic day for our nation, but amid the chaos there were inspiring acts of bravery and service. In conjunction with the federally recognized September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance, approximately 800 volunteers across the city got together Saturday morning to perform acts of kindness and service totaling over 2,700 volunteer hours. Members and friends of the Church of Jesus Christ fanned out around the city and outlying areas providing labor for 14 community projects including trash pick-up, painting, spreading mulch, collecting food donations and a variety of other services.
Many volunteers donned vests and cleaned up trash in several locations around San Antonio. Some of the wards and stakes worked directly with the City of San Antonio to pick up litter along streets. The volunteers were told to “kick it before you pick it” ensuring there were not any bugs or critters in the trash! Terri Freeman of the San Antonio North Stake had someone drive by as she was picking up trash and inquired about the cleanup. “He asked what we were doing, he told us that it was wonderful and asked ‘How can I find out about helping?’ I told him to check out JustServe.org for ideas.” Members in Uvalde also participated in picking up litter along a stretch of U.S. 90. They worked with Adopt-a-Highway in their cleanup efforts. Other congregations in San Antonio worked with the city’s Parks and Recreation department to help clean up area parks.
Along with the litter pick-up in the city, folks in the Canyon Lake area cleaned up several parks and hiking trails. They picked up trash and some helped add mulch to hiking trails. In one of the parks volunteers used their weedwackers to help clean up and better define area hiking trails.
With food prices soaring, there were several food drives held in the area to help with food insecurity. In conjunction with the San Antonio Food Bank and the Hill Country Family Services, members helped to organize a couple of food drives. Many volunteers picked up donations from the community that morning. Members also helped with a canned food drive to benefit the Healthy Pantry Haus in Fredericksburg, Texas. There was also a foster book drive. It specifically was asking for books for younger children in the foster care system.
In Seguin, members cleaned up around and painted the outside of one of the city’s food pantries, the Christian Cupboard. The Seguin congregation has a wonderful relationship with the Christian Cupboard, this year they have already provided 1,800 hours of service in the food pantry along with two semi-trucks of food donations from the Church’s humanitarian supplies.
Bishop Tim Bird, of the Seguin congregation said: “It was an awesome opportunity to serve and we are so grateful to be able to help this organization in our community!” He said they have received a wonderful response from the community over how nice the building looks. After spiffing up the Christian Cupboard, they headed over to their Church building and spruced up the exterior with pressure washing and cleaning up the flower beds.
In the West Stake members and friends helped clean up around the Helotes Lion’s Club, and their progress was impressive. They also asked folks to donate much needed items for the Helotes House of Neighborly Service. The Church has had a wonderful, collaborative relationship over the years with the Helotes House of Neighborly Service.
One teenager said, “I wasn’t born until after 9/11, but we’ve all seen the tragic pictures and heard the stories of brave acts…. Serving is a great way to help us honor those acts and not forget.”
Members in the Pecan Valley Stake tackled the Eastview Cemetery on the southeast side of town. They had the goal to clean and document 6,000 headstones, registering them with Billion Graves. Members in Eagle Pass and Del Rio also worked with their area cemeteries cataloguing headstones by snapping pictures and also submitting them to Billion Graves. Pecan Valley members and friends also helped to assemble and deliver bunk beds to economically disadvantaged children through Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a charity that wants to make sure that “no child sleeps on the floor”.
JustServe.org was the platform that volunteers and organizations used to disseminate information on the 9/11 Day of Service. If you have a desire to get involved go onto JustServe.org, the website is a platform where volunteers can find organizations in the community that are requesting service that they would be willing and able to provide. There are many projects of all kinds ranging from simple to challenging, from short-term to long-term. Individuals and families can decide the best fit for them.
