Lending Helping Hands in Lakeside

by Troy Hartpence

Lakeside - More than 300 members and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined together in Lakeside on Saturday, April 27, to participate in the annual “Mormon Helping Hands” day of service.

Helpers gathered at the Lakeside Community Center at 8 a.m. and headed out to one of five locations- Lindo Lake County Park, Lakeside Linkage Preserve, the Whitaker House, the San Diego River at Cactus Park and the “It’s How we Live” Health Fair, sponsored and supported by many local community organizations, namely the County of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department.

Volunteers of all ages performed duties such as shoreline and trail clean up, landscaping, weed abatement and overall beautification tasks at each of the properties.

The mass of workers also painted the public restrooms, the historic bridge and the several handicapped parking lot spaces.

“I’ve had a lot of volunteer groups, but this is the best by far,” said Patricia Heyden, Senior Park Ranger. “They are really into it and are ambitious and enthusiastic, even the little ones,” said Heyden.

Jody Lounsbery didn’t leave 4-year-old daughter Jocelyn at home. She brought her along to learn the importance of service and community. “I think it’s important to see people helping each other, plus we love this park,” Lounsbery said. “It’s a great opportunity to serve and she loves painting!”

Volunteers wore the distinctive yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests, the vests used by church members when participating in humanitarian service projects and disaster efforts throughout the world.

“Volunteering sets a good example for the youth,” said Heyden. “This is their park. This isn’t my park, this isn’t the government’s park, it’s the people’s park and volunteering shows people care about it,” she said.

The Lakeside Fire District’s Logistics Volunteer Group was there along with Engine and Medic 2 to support the clean-up effort with shade, water and snacks.

Teams accomplished their tasks and came back together around noon.

"It is wonderful to see faith in action from our many volunteers,” said El Cajon resident Marsi Walker, who oversees local public affairs for the LDS church. “Service to God and our fellow-man, including the communities in which we live, epitomizes the theme we teach and live by,” said Walker.

An estimated 80,000 “Mormon Helping Hands” volunteers served across the State of California to clean-up city, county and state parks during the weekend.