Humanitarian Service in South Florida
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsors humanitarian relief and development projects around the world that benefit those of all faiths. These projects include emergency relief assistance in times of disaster and programs that strengthen the self-reliance of individuals, families and communities.
Hundreds of full-time volunteers with skills and experience in education, agriculture, social work, business and medicine serve throughout the world as part of these humanitarian projects. More information is available on the LDS Newsroom website under Humanitarian Service. These relief efforts include responses to the recent tsunamis, the earthquake in Haiti, the hurricanes in Louisiana and Texas and the famines in Ethiopia.
While projects are carried out all over the world, local Church units in the South Florida area are also engaged in humanitarian efforts for the benefit of our communities. These efforts have included the Helping Hands and Linking Arms Day of Service.
The Day of Service is an ongoing effort where members from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partner with city, county, business and community organizations on various service projects.
This Day of Service began in April 2009, and the title “Helping Hands and Linking Arms”, represents the coming together to help those in need in our community.
There have been two Day of Service projects carried out in 2011, with two more scheduled later this year. The first project was held on January 22nd at the Snake Creek National Guard Training Center. Partnering with the Florida Army National Guard and other local organizations, over 500 trees were planted by more than 150 volunteers in recognition of Florida’s Arbor Day.
For a second year in a row, our members partnered with the City of Miramar and served alongside more than 12 Churches and local organizations on a city park beautification project.
More than 160 participants attended including Miramar city officials, local Wal-Mart employees, New Hope church, Keys to Life church, ChristWay Baptist, Miramar United Methodist, Miramar Christian Center and the Miramar High School football team.
In South Florida, 1,312 volunteers participated in the 2nd Annual Day of Service on April 24, 2010. From South Miami to West Palm Beach, 18 service projects took place and Church congregations linked arms with 44 partners.
From making repairs to homes of elderly and needy families in West Palm Beach, to assisting the homeless in Ft. Lauderdale, to beautifying neighborhoods and parks in Miami, volunteers both young and old helped serve their communities during a time when economic hardships have fallen upon many families and local agencies.
In addition to those participating in South Florida, more than 50,000 volunteers participated in 2010’s Day of Service event in 14 states in the Southeastern United States where over 500 service projects were carried out.
The following is a link to the 2011 Joining Hands in a Day of Service in Miramar:
These types of projects are carried out by Church members all over South Florida each year. While communities benefit with each project, we all benefit from the efforts we make to join together with our neighbors in humanitarian service.
