Missionaries and Workers Team up to Provide Community Service

Approximately 125 employees and senior missionaries from the Pacific Area Administration Office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teamed up to provide two days of community service recently (4-5 September). 

This is the 10th year they have offered this gift of time and energy to the community. 

This year, participants chose from three opportunities to serve: Auckland City Mission, Glenfield Salvation Army, and the Te Whau Pathway.

Auckland City Mission

What seemed like a mountain of donated items greeted the volunteers. Mission personnel provided a brief orientation and then everyone went to work dumping the contents of the bags onto large tables.  

The volunteers examined each item to ensure everything was in decent shape. There was mostly clothing in the bags, as well as a large assortment of shoes, socks, handbags and various other items. 

Any items that were ripped, soiled or which had broken zippers had to be discarded. Sadly, the mission spends thousands of dollars every year disposing of unusable items. 

The good items were then sorted and prepared for sale at one of three “Op shops.”  Proceeds from the sale of these donated items help to fund the many services of the Auckland City Mission.

One volunteer was surprised at the difficulty of the work that the regular workers and volunteers do each day. She noted, “It gives me a whole new appreciation for their jobs and their compassion."  

Another group worked to fill nearly 40 boxes with four days' supply of food for needy families.  They also prepared toiletry kits for those in need.  

Glenfield Salvation Army

A small "army" of volunteers rolled up their sleeves and went to work cleaning bathrooms, walls, kitchen appliances, floors, counters, storage room, toys, carpets, and upholstery, raking leaves and even cleaning the Salvation Army signage.

The leaders of the Salvation Army ministry said of the service given: “We are so, so grateful!  Your team was amazing! The place looks wonderful. It gave everyone a lift (in spirits). A wonderful group of people to work with."

Volunteer Deb Clark noted, "The team was extremely happy to have given the service. Lorraine, who oversees the Glenfield Salvation Army, and her secretary, Jody, were delightful to work with.  It’s nice to work for people who appreciate the effort given on their behalf."

Te Whau Pathway Beautification 

Around 30 volunteers braved rain and mud to plant native trees and shrubs at Archibald Park, along the Whau River, a suburb of Auckland.

This outdoor project was sponsored by The Whau River Catchment Trust (TWRC), a charitable entity established to deliver community-based environmental projects in the areas of ecological restoration and conservation. These projects are principally done in collaboration with the Auckland City Council.

In spite of threatening rain and muddy conditions, the group was able to plant approximately 1,400 native trees and shrubs. 

The volunteers were happy to take a day away from the office to be outdoors, enjoy the beauty of the Whau River and give back to the community.

Volunteer Tony Nizetich said, "I’m proud to live in New Zealand with such beautiful native plants and trees. I walk nearly every weekend along some of Auckland’s wonderful paths and tracks, so it was great to give back to help make this walking and cycling path even more beautiful than it is. . . [It was] a fun and rewarding opportunity to get out from behind my desk.  I had a wonderful time!"