About Helping Hands and Linking Arms Day of Service

Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
in cooperation with other faiths, faith-based organizations, service organizations and civic leaders.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Day of Service is for churches, civic organizations, and government agencies to link arms to strengthen local communities with meaningful service projects that will help those in need, beautify communities, build friendships, and bolster the spirits of all.

In 2010, the Day of Service will be held on April 24. On this day, service projects will be conducted over the entire Southeastern part of the United States from Louisiana to Georgia and from Kentucky to Florida.

Walter F. Gonzales

Elder Walter F. Gonzalez

HISTORY OF THE DAY OF SERVICE

The Day of Service is an outgrowth of large-scale volunteer projects done by Latter-day Saints in conjunction with other organizations during the hurricanes in the Southeast, from Katrina to Gustav. As the relief efforts proceeded, it became apparent that much more service needed to be done to relieve suffering and improve communities.

The focus of the Day of Service has changed from disaster relief to service aimed at helping people and organizations who have been adversely affected by the economic recession. Many families and communities have been left in distress and in need of service. Public organizations have had budget cuts and are in need of volunteers to help them maintain their facilities and grounds. The day of service is the vision of Elder Walter F. Gonzalez of the Presidency of the Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who lead similar projects in Brazil. He now presides over the North America Southeast Area of the Church.