{"id":35229,"date":"2013-04-22T13:31:21","date_gmt":"2013-04-22T20:31:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/198.57.196.122\/~gdatwofo\/theavtimes\/?p=35229"},"modified":"2013-07-23T18:19:56","modified_gmt":"2013-07-24T01:19:56","slug":"countdown-to-mormon-helping-hands-service-projects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theavtimes.com\/2013\/04\/22\/countdown-to-mormon-helping-hands-service-projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Countdown to Mormon Helping Hands Service Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A young volunteer cleans up San Pedro, California in 2011 as part of Mormon Helping Hands. This year more than 500 volunteers are expected to participate in service projects in both Lancaster and Palmdale. The entire community is invited to participate.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

LANCASTER \u2013 Antelope Valley congregations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and participating members of the community will join together on Saturday, April 27 and Saturday, May 11 to participate in Mormon Helping Hands, an annual service project day carried out by Church members across the globe.<\/p>\n

More than 500 volunteers are expected to participate in this year\u2019s event, in which service projects will be completed in both Lancaster and Palmdale. Members of the public are welcome to attend.<\/p>\n

\u201cMormon Helping Hands provides Church members, local organizations, and friends an opportunity to come together en masse to make a major difference in our community,\u201d said Bryan Crawley, president of the Lancaster Stake of the LDS Church. \u201cWhile we participate in a number of service projects throughout the year, this single day allows us to make a huge impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Lancaster and Lancaster East Stakes have partnered with Lancaster School District and Monte Vista Elementary School for this year\u2019s project, which will consist of patching, priming and painting Monte Vista. The school recently won 120 gallons of paint and 25 gallons of primer in Glidden\u2019s Colorful Classrooms Contest.<\/p>\n

\u201cMonte Vista is more than 60 years old, and we are proud to engage in this effort to help the exterior of the school reflect the high quality of education offered inside,\u201d said G. Simi, Director\u00a0 at Lancaster School District, and Dean Fourr, Director of Facilities, who are assisting with coordination of the project. \u201cThe community has truly stepped up to help us create a better learning environment for our students. First, the City of Lancaster made Monte Vista part of its Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in January. Now, the local LDS Church has volunteered to prepare, prime and paint the school. Church members who are skilled craftsmen have stepped forward to oversee the project, do additional prep work and ensure that the job is done right. We\u2019d like to thank everyone involved for their generosity and their time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lancaster congregations will also host a food drive to benefit Grace Resource Center and the Lancaster Homeless Shelter.<\/p>\n

In Palmdale, the LDS Church has joined with the City of Palmdale to plant trees at Pelona Vista Park.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are proud to partner with the City of Palmdale to help create a better environment for children and families to play and enjoy each other\u2019s company,\u201d said Brad Higley, president of the Palmdale Stake of the LDS Church. \u201cWe are grateful for this opportunity to serve our community and invite fellow residents of the Palmdale area to join us in this wonderful day of service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Palmdale\u2019s service day will also include games, activities and family fun for participants once the work is complete.<\/p>\n

Service projects dates and times<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Palmdale\u2019s service day will be held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 27 at Pelona Vista Park, located at 37700 Tierra Subida.<\/p>\n

Congregations from East Lancaster will also serve from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Monte Vista Elementary, located at 1235 West Kettering Street. Volunteers will\u00a0carry out patching, priming and other prep work.<\/p>\n

Congregations from West Lancaster will paint the school from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, May 11.<\/p>\n

The public is welcome to attend all service projects.<\/p>\n

For more information about Mormon Helping Hands, visit www.mhhcalifornia.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

View video on\u00a0Mormon Helping Hands Service Projects…<\/em><\/p>\n

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