MormonNewsroom.org features stories from its international Newsroom websites to share 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.
Canada: Christian Service Given During 2015
Latter-day Saints in Toronto, Canada, set a goal last year to give Christian service to their neighbors by trying to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Members of the Church in Etobicoke, Ontario, decided to do what they called “second mile” acts of service — acts that would be outside their regular duties or that might push them beyond their own comfort zone — in the community and among their congregation throughout 2015.
Go to the Canada Mormon Newsroom website to read about the Latter-day Saints’ experiences.
Australia: Mormon Helping Hands Clean Up After Bushfires
Summer fires in December have devastated areas in southern Australia, including destroying peoples’ homes and businesses. About 100 Latter-day Saints from Adelaide helped residents clean up where the bushfires burned.
One resident who lost his home and sheds in the fire was impressed by how much the volunteers accomplished.
Read more about the cleanup efforts on the Australia Mormon Newsroom website.
Pacific: Do a ‘Daily One Kind Act’ in 2016
A Church leader challenged Fijians to do one kind act each day just as Jesus Christ taught by His example.
Elder Adolf Johansson of the Seventy authored an article printed in the Fiji Sun with a message to more than just Mormons, inviting all residents to participate in the challenge.
Go to the article located on the Pacific Mormon Newsroom website.
United Kingdom: Latter-day Saints Provide Food for Refugees
Seven Mormon congregations in England assembled 600 packages of food at the end of December for Syrian refugees staying in the community of Calais.
The mayor and mayoress of Spelthorne, England, Mark Francis and his wife, Catherine, attended the event and remarked what a fantastic idea the service project was. “You are an incredible sight,” said the mayor. “It is an incredible thing you are doing. I applaud you all. Thank you so much for all your hard work and effort.”
In October 2015, the Church's First Presidency encouraged its members to assist the refugees.
Read more about the project on the United Kingdom Mormon Newsroom website.
Costa Rica: Latter-day Saints Assist the Elderly and Beautify Their Communities
Costa Rican members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints immersed themselves in cleaning communities and helping the elderly during last month’s National Day of Service.
The service took place throughout the communities of La Rita, Pococi, Guácimo, Guapiles, Limon Central and Siquirres. In one community, Mormon Helping Hands volunteers focused on entertaining people in care centers and providing them with breakfast and lunch.
Go to the Costa Rica Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish).
Cambodia: Church Improves Sanitary Facilities at Local High School
The Kampong Thom High School near Phnom Penh, with its 2,400 students, has been in need of better restroom and hand washing facilities. The school’s need caught the attention of Latter-day Saints who meet next door for Sunday worship services.
The Church’s LDS Charities became involved, and new facilities were built for the high school students.
Read what was accomplished on the Cambodia Mormon Newsroom website.
El Salvador: Mormons Respond by Donating Blood
With encouragement from their local leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, several members turned out to donate blood in mid-December.
The community hospital was anxious to receive the donations to help them to be better prepared for emergencies especially accidents involving children.
Go to the El Salvador Mormon Newsroom website (Spanish).