New Zealanders Get Ready to Give ‘Selfie-Service’ on Annual Mormon Helping Hands Day

The last Saturday of February each year is New Zealand Mormon Helping Hands Day.

That’s when members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the nation join with those of other faiths and other community groups to give service in their towns and cities.

This year participants are invited to share their experiences with others using social media.

“We’re calling this a ‘selfie-service day,’” says Church leader, Elder David Thomson.

“A lot of people love sharing what they’re doing and what’s important to them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and other social media. Helping Hands day gives them a chance to not only share what they’re doing but also to encourage their friends and others to get out there and help our communities.”

In previous years Helping Hands volunteers have spruced up a marae with a coat of paint, tidied up a cemetery, removed graffiti and cleaned up a reserve — among many other projects.

This year Latter-day Saint and other volunteers will help schools, churches and communities in several ways.  From visiting elderly folk at a retirement home to helping a family demolish an old shed, the church and community groups are planning dozens of projects aimed at bringing people together to make a difference.

The Mormon Helping Hands program brings together members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and their neighbours to provide community service. These volunteers in their trademark yellow shirts help people whose lives have been affected by natural disasters and other emergencies. Mormon Helping Hands volunteers also partner with government and non-profit organizations to support and improve the communities where they live.   

The Helping Hands program reflects the desire of Mormons to follow the example of Jesus Christ by serving others. The effort receives resources from Church humanitarian services, and the projects are coordinated by local Church leaders.