From Deseret News archives:

Missionaries take time off to volunteer at Games

Published: Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2004 9:57 p.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
ATHENS — Among the 70,000 unpaid volunteers in the Athens Games are 78 missionaries from the Greece Athens Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The missionaries, who regularly include civic service as part of their missions, have taken off the full 17 days of the Games to work at various capacities in venues throughout the city. They will also volunteer at the Paralympic Games following the regular Olympics. The missionaries come from Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, Great Britain, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Australia, Greece and the United States.

John Ludwig, president of the Greece Athens Mission, said the missionaries have been well received.

"We're getting good reports," he said, "They're enthusiastic, they're staying at their posts, they're all doing a good job."

"One of the sister missionaries told me they're always giving the volunteers breaks," said Ludwig, "She said, 'We don't need breaks. This is a lot easier than knocking (on) doors.' "

Story continues below
Lisa Wardle of Salt Lake City is the HR Planning and Implementation Manager, Spectator Services for the Athens Organizing Committee and was instrumental in enlisting the missionaries, who agreed to resist proselyting while on their Olympic assignments, placed as volunteers. Wardle worked previously for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.


E-mail: benson@desnews.com

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

when: One family works their butts off and earns $20K in a year, Another...

The more I read your posts the more I realize that you post because everyone...

Bronco, Kyle rubber match

Bronco Mendenhall, after living a full life, died. When he got to heaven,...

I think the $3.50 charge is insane. I doubt it costs that much to print...

Is talking about religion taboo?

well your somewhat right if what you want to do is use your religion like a...

Editorial: Cancer screening

If it is so inexpensive for all these tests why don't people pay for them...

The Aggies never do anything even half way good that they don't rank on UU...

What a sad life to be convicted of child abuse and then be murdered in...

Y.'s Hall, U.'s Dale earn accolades

Zoobs have no room to talk about close wins. "one play different for OU...

3A: Juan Diego's last-gasp play

This last play should have been a penalty. The inside receiver was covered up...

Advertisements