by Tiffany Bratt, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints – Winter Garden Stake
When Clermont resident David Ethington saw that a hurricane was headed toward Jamaica, he knew he needed to do something to help. After seeing Hurricane Melissa ravage Jamaica, Ethington reached out to his friend, Carol Watler, who had previously sent aid to the Bahamas after another hurricane. He asked whether she was planning to send any aid. Watler is a local therapist who immigrated many years ago from Jamaica. Watler confirmed that she hoped to send a container with aid to Jamaica, but that she needed help with gathering supplies. Watler stated, “I am profoundly thankful for the incredible support church members have shown toward our mission in Jamaica. Their generosity, compassion, and willingness to give have truly been a reflection of God’s love in action.”
Ethington then reached out to Bishop Victor Mourauo, the leader of the Lake Louisa congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where Ethington attends church, to see whether his congregation could help. Ethington stated, “When we saw that a hurricane was coming, we knew that we had to do something for our brothers and sisters in Jamaica. I only wish we could do more.”
Bishop Mourauo reacted quickly. He organized an event for the youth and families of the congregation to assemble the hygiene kits and begin a food drive. On Wednesday, November 5, nearly 50 members of the Church came together with donated items to assemble 500 hygiene kits, write encouraging notes, and assemble non-perishable food donations. The hygiene kits included shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and a washcloth. Church members also donated over 500 cans of food, several 10-pound bags of rice, and 8 cases of water.
Clermont resident and Church member Barbara Hehl was especially excited to help assemble the kits as she and her husband have a great love for the people of Jamaica. Her husband, Ken Hehl, served a two-year mission in Jamaica for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was young. Barbara Hehl is currently serving as a volunteer youth leader for the teenage girls of the congregation, and she loved serving alongside the girls in putting together the hygiene kits.
The children and youth of the Church wrote uplifting notes to put in the hygiene kits to offer love to the Hurricane Melissa victims, with messages like “God loves you,” and “You are a child of God.”
Winter Garden Stake President Gary Hansen of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who oversees nine local congregations of the Church including the Lake Louisa Congregation, stated, “It’s wonderful to see the rapid demonstration of love and devotion to God and His children in need.”
About The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a worldwide faith of over 17 million members. The Church has over 31,000 congregations in more than 160 countries and territories. Across 70 countries, the Church is serving more than 450,000 individuals through a religious education program for youth and young adults and the operation of four universities/colleges; FamilySearch, the world’s largest genealogical organization; and a vast humanitarian aid program that provides nearly $1.4 billion annually in worldwide relief. Visit the Caring for those in Need annual report.
