JustServe Efforts Spread Across Puerto Rico, With 31 Projects, Hundreds of Volunteers Over Just 1 Day

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By Mary Richards, Church News

On October 28, hundreds of people took part in service projects across the island of Puerto Rico.

Using JustServe — a website and app where nonprofit organizations list service projects and volunteer needs — missionaries and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their friends served in their communities for the International Day of Service.

There were:

• 31 service projects
• 36 wards and branches participating
• 16 JustServe agencies involved
• 350+ members and friends participating
• 113 missionaries participating

The projects included service at nursing homes, schools, food banks and soup kitchens, beach and community cleanup, gardening, sewing, painting, yard work and donating blood.

Alanis Olmo-Jimenez from the Levittown Ward, Toa Baja Puerto Rico Stake, was grateful to take part in two of the service projects.

“The opportunity to serve, when done willingly and intentionally, can transform our perspective on life and contribute to our progress as disciples of Christ,” she said.

She said she is making time in her life to serve more frequently.

“The JustServe initiative is growing in Puerto Rico, and this past 28th of October is proof of that. ... The chance to serve through local organizations and with nature allowed me to feel more connected with my island and the unique needs of living on one,” she said.

Ruth Colon, a social worker at Albergue El Paraíso in San Juan, was thankful for donations of food, clothing, linen and hygiene products and the time the volunteers spent with the people at the shelter.

“We had many beautiful moments on the International Day of Service. The participants behaved in a spiritual way,” she said. “May the Lord continue to guide us to continue supporting those in need of recovery to improve their quality of life.”

Missionaries from the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission took part in multiple projects around the island.

Elder Ethan Collinwood participated in a project with his companion, Elder Sander Guardado.

“Being able to serve on the 28th was such a cool opportunity, knowing that I was serving with a much larger force then just those beside me, and knowing I was actually helping real people around me,” he said. “In my missionary service so far, I’ve been so blessed to be able to serve the people and see the changes a little service can make in their lives.”

Sister Gabbie Wardle and Sister Emma Jones wrote:

“We loved being with and helping the people here in Ponce! It was amazing to be united with others serving like Christ would. Service brings so much joy and happiness to both those who receive and give it.”

Sister Lilian Koch took part in a reforestation project with the group Para La Naturaleza (For Nature) and planted new trees in Aibonito to replace vegetation destroyed in hurricanes.

“It’s always a treat to be outside in nature, admiring God’s creations,” Sister Koch said. “As we planted trees, nurtured seeds, and learned of the climate and natural vegetation of Puerto Rico, I gained a better awareness of the privilege we have to be stewards of the earth.”

Her companion Sister Mya Harbach wrote about the project: “It was such a privilege to be apart of something so special to the island and I am so grateful for the volunteers who work for this organization and for their kindness.”

JustServe in Puerto Rico

Elder Wilford Taylor and Sister Sharla Taylor from Mesa, Arizona, began serving in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission in September 2022 with the calling to start up the JustServe initiative on the island.

They work alongside members and missionaries in service projects. They also visit organizations, agencies and churches to tell them about the service platform and help them sign up.

When the planning began for this year’s International Day of Service, each ward and branch on the island was invited to have a service project on that day. The Taylors knew JustServe could be a part of it — they said and it was a great success.

Agencies who were not using JustServe regularly before the day of service now have had experience with it and have seen the fruits, said Sister Taylor.

“Everyone is really accepting of this wonderful program,” she said.

Each stake in Puerto Rico now has a JustServe specialist, who helped the wards choose agencies to help on the day of service, said Elder Taylor.

“We recognize the special effort of the stake presidencies, and ward and branch leaders to help make this a wonderful day of service,” he said.

Elder Taylor said the experience has been life-changing to meet organizations in Puerto Rico who carry out their mission to love and serve others in their community.

“JustServe is joining people together to love and serve each other as Jesus did in His mission on the earth,” he said.

See more photos below from the International Day of Service in Puerto Rico.

• Not forgotten: Church service and support help Puerto Rico find hope
• A prophetic promise fulfilled: San Juan Puerto Rico Temple is dedicated
• Look back on the journey that led to the dedication of the San Juan Puerto Rico Temple
• Sister Dennis and Sister Browning teach women in Puerto Rico about the power of covenants