Mormonnewsroom.org pulls stories from the international Newsroom websites to show what leaders and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints around the world are doing to better the communities in which they live.
Pacific: Media Captures Mormon Helping Hands’ Volunteers Serving
The Wairarapa Times-Age in New Zealand captured more than 150 volunteers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Papawai marae painting, cleaning and weeding recently. (A marae is a communal or sacred place that serves religious and social purposes in Polynesian societies.)
The project includes people who donate their time through Mormon Helping Hands, a Church-sponsored effort aimed at beautifying communities and public places.
Read more about the Papawai marae project on the Pacific Mormon Newsroom website.
Australia: Mormons Help Stock New South Wales Food Bank
Sydney, Australia, Latter-day Saints helped to stock the New South Wales food bank. Their participation stretched over a period of four weeks during which they helped to organize and stock shelves with the donated food.
Church members worked with the food bank staff along with others focused on achieving results to match the slogan, “An Australia Without Hunger.”
Look for comments from those who participated in the food bank project on the Australia Mormon Newsroom website.
Chile: Emergency Housing Helps Restore Hope in Chile
Residents of Rodelillo, Valparaiso, Chile, are feeling hopeful after a tragic fire destroyed more than 300 houses 14 February 2013.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated 40 emergency shelters for many who became homeless because of the fire. More than 400 Church members per day also removed debris and distributed food, medicine and clothing.
The Chile Mormon Newsroom website provides additional information about a meeting the city’s mayor had with Latter-day Saints.
Italy: Mormons and
Their Neighbors
Refurbish Multiuse Park
The City Hall of Rome Capital IV and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints worked together to clean and beautify a local park.
The joint effort, through Mormon Helping Hands, resulted in park benches being painted, a new area created for dogs, 15 new litter bins installed and a lot of weeding.
Read, on the Italy Mormon Newsroom website, how volunteers worked for about 10 hours on a Saturday to get the job done.
Guatemala: Wheelchairs Donated by the Church in Guatemala
The Church’s humanitarian program draws on money Latter-day Saints donate to purchase wheelchairs for people who can’t afford them in many parts of the world. In addition to wheelchairs, the Church provides funds and expertise for water projects, vaccinations for people who don’t have access to this type of medical care, and food, water and medical supplies in areas that experience natural disasters and other emergencies.
Check out the Guatemala Mormon Newsroom website.