From Deseret News archives:
Willingness to serve blesses many
\"It is an eternal law that service blesses the lives of those who give as well as those who receive. Several months ago, as we began our planning, we realized that there are many humanitarian needs — some close by and some in distant lands. The stake Relief Society leaders assembled the ideas and organized information and planning. The wards then took hold of the ideas and made the projects happen.
\"Now, as we hear of the acts of love which have been given to neighbors near and far, we are twice blessed,\" he said.
Jody Rasmussen, a counselor in the stake Relief Society, said the stake president left each ward to decide how to pursue the charge. A list of possible needs were sent to each ward. One ward collected white shirts to send to missionaries. In many of the wards, money was rounded up to go with the different projects to cover miscellaneous expenses.
Vicki Smith and her husband, Sam, said they prepared for about two and half months, then scheduled a night for the Riverdale 2nd Ward members to get together and complete the projects. On the appointed evening, they gathered and painted 200 wood cars made and donated by Richmond, Utah, craftsman Roland Anderson. The retired contractor calculated he has made about 100,000 toys in 10 years for humanitarian needs.
The children of the ward made 500 whisper phones in about 20 minutes. A whisper phone is made of PVC pipes and is used for improving children's speech. The Relief Society made 30 quilts and assembled 300 hygiene kits and 100 newborn kits.
\"I thought it turned out well; we had the priesthood and Primary work together, every organization had an assignment. Everything was shipped to the Church Humanitarian Center in Salt Lake,\" Sister Smith said.
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This story is provided by the LDS Church News, an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is produced weekly by the Deseret News.
