Community Day of Service a Great Success

A Large Number of Residents from the South Bay participated in the 4th Annual Statewide Community Day Of Service

Thousands of volunteers participated in a day of service designed to improve communities throughout California.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter – day Saints (LDS) partnered with other interfaith service and community groups for the “Mormon Helping Hands - Day of Service,” to work with city, county and state officials to do service projects across the state. This day of service was designed to benefit hundreds of state and local parks, schools and municipalities.

The President of the Torrance North Stake, David Hales, presided, with support from President Steve Brown, President Richard Hernandez and Robert Cobabe, High Councilor, assisted with the pre-planning, as three hundred volunteers from the Torrance North congregations came together to beautify four community locations in or near Torrance in the county of Los Angeles on Saturday, April 27, for the 4^th Annual Community Day of Service.

Tracy Hopkins, Torrance North Stake of Los Angeles South, Director of Public Affairs, with support from Director of Community Outreach, Ben Dale, welcomed the volunteers and gave a brief orientation on the projects before volunteers disbursed to the 4 project locations. LA South Multi-Stake Director of Public Affairs, Heidi Ashcraft, coordinated the projects with area community leaders.

The Torrance North congregation's members joined with several other churches in coordination with Sharefest, which will take place on May 4, to clear ice plant and ivy and replant a slope at Torrance West High School. Local Jersey Mike’s donated sandwiches for lunch. The LA River Storm Drain volunteers removed litter along the LA River Basin with other church and community groups near the Good Year blimp airport. The SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL OCCUPATIONAL CENTER (SCROC) project organizers directed volunteers to assist in weeding, planting and painting projects. The Paradise Park volunteers removed crab grass and other weeds from the children's play area.

Heidi Ashcraft commented after the project, “I think the projects were successful, many people liked working with other churches and being able to make a difference.”

These service projects are a way for the members of our community to be involved in bridge building activities, to give back in the community and to show love for our neighbors.

See attached for Before and After pictures from the West High Service Project, a group picture of the Torrance North Stake President and the Public Affairs Community Day of Service event planners.