More than one hundred people visited the Leesburg Florida Stake Center (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) last Saturday to participate in Light the World 2022 Day of Service. This Lake County activity provided volunteers the opportunity to participate in a variety community service activities involving Meals on Wheels, Mats for the homeless, Christmas Ornament project, and OneBlood.org.
Almost 60 Lake County residents donated blood during the day. In addition to the OneBlood drive, visitors of all ages selected service activities to participate in. In one room, an assembly line was created to develop recycled plastic bags into place mats for the homeless. According to Linda Parker, a project organizer, “Our service project involves recycling plastic grocery store bags into yarn that will be used to create mats for the homeless. This is a quick, easy, and eco-friendly way for families to serve others.”
It takes about 500-700 bags to make one mat. These mats are used by unsheltered homeless individuals to provide a waterproof barrier for sleeping on the ground. These crochet mats are comfortable and it is not a problem if the mats get wet since they can be easily dried. The mats provide a cleaner way of sleeping.
In another room, volunteers were assembling Christmas tray favors for seniors participating in the local Meals on Wheels program. Debbie Hadden, activity organizer observed: “This is a great service activity for this busy time of the year. It’s a way to escape the distractions of the Christmas season.” Meals on Wheels provides meal preparation for people aged 60 and older who have no one available to aid with meal preparation and are unable to leave home without the assistance of another person.
Other projects included creating a Christmas ornament for a neighbor or friend. Joshua Johnson, activity organizer commented: “This service activity gives youth an opportunity to create a Christmas ornament out of air-dried clay using cookie cutters.” Another activity involved writing on a paper candle how you can personally light the world with daily acts of service. The candle is placed on the tree in exchange for a “Light the World” card that can be given to a friend, co-worker, or family member. The card challenges them to also think of a way to “Light the World.”
Scott Keys, a JustServe Specialist shared information about a free website that lists Christmas oriented service projects in Lake County. Some of the featured projects include a Drive through Nativity, Cards of Hope for a juvenile detention center, and “Light the World” projects. According to Keys, “service brings people together. JustServe.org is a free website you can use as a resource to find service and to post your own projects. It’s also a place where Lake County high school students can find service hours for their Bright Futures Scholarship applications.”
Michael Saunders, President of the Leesburg Florida Stake observed: “Service makes us better people by humbling our hearts by assisting those in need. In the scriptures, we are taught that when you serve your neighbors, you are serving God. Participation in the Light the World service day is an opportunity to share our time and talents to assist those in need.”
