Concern over lean school budgets and a strong sense of community pride and involvement inspired over 230 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to spend a Saturday earlier this month to help clean and beautify local schools.
They were part of a statewide effort involving over 55,000 church members, along with friends, neighbors, and family members, who participated in their annual “Mormon Helping Hands” community involvement activity, saving the economically struggling state of California an estimated $4.5 million.
Participants in Newport Beach and surrounding areas focused their efforts on helping local schools, including Anderson, Kaiser, Killybrooke, Pomona, Rea, Lincoln, Harbor View, and College Park elementary schools, and Costa Mesa and Corona del Mar High Schools. Projects included weeding planters and hillsides, mulching trees and flower beds, washing windows, cleaning lockers, painting trash cans, and even deep-cleaning rest rooms.
When asked if he would rather have been doing something else instead of spreading mulch at Lincoln School on a busy Saturday, team leader Ken Everson said, “It’s a privilege to live in this terrific community, and fun for our church members to reach out and give back.”
And what did school personnel think about all the activity taking place at their schools?
College Park school principal Julie McCormick said simply, “Wow, what a difference you guys made in a day! My teachers and students will be thrilled.“
