Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints often work with their neighbors of other faiths cleaning up, fixing up, and serving special needs in their communities. Mormon Helping Hands volunteers, in their familiar yellow shirts or vests, try to follow the Savior by giving service to those who need help. They’re often seen in their communities doing many things including assisting in the distribution of Church humanitarian relief after a major disaster. But more often, they serve in simple ways — reaching out in friendship to those with special needs.
Recently, 25 members of the Church who work together in the Church’s administrative office in Seoul performed a day of service at a senior care center. The morning was spent trimming trees, removing brush, tilling a garden, and planting trees. After lunch together, the rest of the time was spent with the residents of the center. Activities included talking, going on walks, telling stories, and simply listening. The highlight of the day was a musical performance of folk songs, hymns, and message music prepared by the volunteers. The residents sang along, clapped, and a few even danced.
One of the volunteers said the following about Helping Hands service projects, “From cleaning parks, planting trees, and repairing homes to feeding the homeless and helping the Red Cross, it is a wonderful thing to be involved in serving our communities and serving each other.”