September 22, 2025, 3pm MDT
On Saturday, September 6th, more than 100 young men and women from the Iowa Stake in Cedar Rapids spent Saturday cleaning up the natural paths of the brave camp, surrounded by wooded hills in eastern Iowa.
According to Ashley Burino, volunteer coordinator at the camp, when some of the service projects were finished, young men and young women were looking for more work.
This hilarious service project was one of hundreds held in the US and Canada in September to celebrate the 9/11 anniversary.
The Latter-day Saints’ Church of Jesus Christ encourages others to serve for national service and memory, where opportunities for service are listed on justserve.org and 911day.org. The Church and its members strive to follow two great commandments: serving others all year round, loving God and loving one another.
Susan Sims, Cedar Rapids Iowa Stake, Cedar Falls Ward, helped coordinate the camp’s courageous service project.
She said, “an opportunity to allow us to follow Christ, do good, and serve to make our love for our neighbors come true and engage with others who love him.”
The project will benefit courageous and impaired individuals at camp, allowing for improved access to the trails while also beautifully ensuring natural paths.
“This day was a joy in fellowship. We knew that good people were helping other good people to help other good people,” Sims said. “This was part of being a disciple of Christ, and it was worth all the effort.”
Other projects across the country ranged from one-on-one services to large-scale projects packing meals and improving communities.
Serve God
Jill King and Hazelwood Missouri stakes from Weldon Springward joined youth at Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Charles, Missouri, cleaning and organizing rooms outside the church and garden.
She must not forget that focusing on two great commandments serves others, as she taught that Jesus Christ did and that she would.
“Serving others in my community is an expression of love and a way of showing love for God,” King said. “Jesus taught that acts of service and kindness are expressions of love for him.”
King also said that her faith grows when she serves and when she follows Christ’s example of selflessness, compassion, and love for God.
“When we serve others, we serve God,” she said.
Helping the elderly
Dozens of volunteers in Rochester, Minnesota met on Saturday, September 6th to support seniors in their garden work.
Ella Edwards, a young woman from Rochester 3rd Ward, said the service helped her follow the example of Jesus Christ. “He was the best example of service and serving helped me follow him.”
Improve the community
Parker, Colorado, 250 volunteers appeared on Saturday, September 6th to help mitigate fires along the Cherry Creek Trail by removing dead flammable fragments, logs and sticks. Volunteers also wrapped and wrapped the tree along the edge of the water with wire fencing to protect it from beaver damage.
Parker Mayor Joshua Libero said he is proud to be the mayor of a town where people care so much about their community.
“They are willing to spend Saturdays with the whole family,” he said. “(It’s) an absolutely amazing, amazing community.”
On Saturday, September 6th, more than 1,300 volunteers gathered at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas, including families, veterans, the Scouts forces and community groups.
On Saturday, September 13th, members of the Louisville Kentucky Stake supported multiple projects, including cleanup and landscape work at Greenwood Cemetery, first responder meals, snack bag assembly and cleaning up local community centers.
Patty Daniel, a local JustServe specialist, said more than 200 stake members were involved.
“It was a blessing for us as an organization and as a member,” she said.
About 30 people from Shacopee, Minnesota, appeared on September 11th to refresh their playgrounds at a local park. When they started work, the park’s neighbors grabbed a shovel and joined their services.
Together, our neighbors and church members worked an hour to get the job done.
“It’s a joy to serve.”
Members of the Idaho Falls Idaho Central Stake painted a park shelter for the community.
Lee Stimson volunteered with his family at the event.
“Service for the community is a great way to show that I am maintaining the contract, keeping in mind the people around me and how my service can affect them,” he said.
During the event, volunteers discovered that cans of cans rolling down a small hill were a great way to stir paint.
Volunteer Nasina Jagierski said she loves to serve.
“We love Jesus Christ and want to follow Him in everything we do,” she said. “It’s a joy to serve especially with wonderful people.”
In Sherman, Texas, more than 100 volunteers participated in five separate projects at the Frontier Village and the Museum.
One member of the village and museum board of directors said they were overwhelmed by the incredible vote.
Honoring the first responder
The family gathered in Idaho Star on the evening of September 11th, with proceeds floating around to support local police and firefighters. This money will allow the initial responder to serve the community, including buying groceries for shoes for families and children, without the financial burden.
The children also wrote cards on the first responder, and at sunset the family released the lantern into the water.
The sparkling pond paid tribute to the lives lost on 9/11.
“It was an evening of unity as community, service and reflection,” said Star resident Maryne Smith.
