Latter-day Saints Help Aid Snow-Stricken Residents in California

 
This story appears here courtesy of TheChurchNews.com. It is not for use by other media.

By Levi Fuaga, Church News

Bishop Spencer Samuelian offered to fly his helicopter to aid residents affected by heavy snowfall at Lake Arrowhead, California, in the San Bernardino Mountains. On Friday, March 3, Bishop Samuelian and other residents collaborated with nonprofit rescue program CalDART to help provide necessities via airlift.

This effort was dubbed “Operation Mountain Strong,” according to an Orange County Register article. Blizzards in mountain communities forced community members to band together to support those in need.

Living in sunny Laguna Beach, Bishop Samuelian of the Laguna Beach Ward, Laguna Niguel California Stake, was shocked to learn people were trapped and suffering just 40 minutes away. “You never know what people are going through,” he said, and it’s important to be prepared to help those in crisis.

The snowfall halted all ground support, making it difficult for first responders to provide efficient help to snow-stricken residents, Bishop Samuelian said. 

According to the Los Angeles Times, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department had called off efforts due to safety concerns. Residents expressed displeasure with the lack of help from county officials, as county officials said they were not prepared for such circumstances.

Despite such limits, Bishop Samuelian said he was asked by the fire chief to fly supplies to Lake Arrowhead, as residents were in desperate need. Yet, the fire chief couldn’t indicate where the helicopter could land.

Rallying Together

Bishop Samuelian managed to contact Bishop Brent W. Whitaker of the Golden Rule Ward, which includes Lake Arrowhead, to ask about needed supplies. Bishop Samuelian said Bishop Whitaker told him that his members had sufficient resources.

 
Over the March 4-5 weekend, Bishop Samuelian continued to coordinate with Bishop Whitaker as well as San Bernardino California Stake President Matthew Johnson on distributing necessities to those suffering. 

He also contacted the pastor of the Sandals Church in Lake Arrowhead, whose congregation needed aid and was able to provide supplies to distribute to families in need.

Following their efforts, Bishop Samuelian said, roads were opened and distribution centers were set up, ceasing helicopter services by Tuesday, March 7. He said he was amazed by the religious communities coming together to support one another in such crippling weather conditions. 

Bishop Samuelian described the Sandals Church community and Bishop Whitaker’s efforts as being prepared and organized. By doing so, he said they were “able to uplift and bring light to the lives of those suffering in the community.” The religious leaders and community members were the real heroes of the efforts, he shared.

 
Being Prepared

Continual help and service is still needed in those communities affected by the snow, shared Bishop Samuelian. His stake will probably hold service projects for youth to help in clearing snow.

Upon this experience, Bishop Samuelian said he believes everyone should know how to self-rescue. He said members must prepare themselves for such unprecedented circumstances before aiding those in need of help. He said, “Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”

The Prophet and Church leadership have provided excellent guidelines on how to be prepared not only spiritually and emotionally, but physically as well, he said. “I think it’s a crucial foundation to the infrastructure of our communities.”

An important part of being a member of the Church and a disciple of Jesus Christ is being willing to bear one another’s burdens, Bishop Samuelian said.

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