Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Recognized for Service

Featured Image: Missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pose for a commemorative photo following dinner recognizing their many hours of service in the Waco area.

The missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received the 2019 Volunteer Award presented by Caritas of Waco at a volunteer recognition dinner hosted by The First Methodist Church on November 7, 2019.

Caritas of Waco, which has been combatting poverty and hunger in the greater Waco area for over 50 years, relies upon its donors and volunteers to achieve its notable goals. The missionaries have volunteered throughout the year, compiling over 340 hours of service at Caritas by helping to organize and sort donations to be shared with individuals in need. The young men and women of The Church of Jesus Christ were honored for their dedicated service by a reserved table and a delicious dinner.

“It is a great honor to be recognized and a real pleasure to serve in this community,” said Elder Nuñez, age 23, whose family is from Ecuador.

His companion Elder Thueson, age 19, from Idaho, agrees, “We serve because it’s what the Savior did, and we follow His example. We have a deep love and desire to help the community in which we serve.”

The missionaries dedicate 18 to 24 months of their lives to proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and to serving in the communities to which they are assigned in the spirit of volunteerism, during which they do not proselytize.

“We aren’t trying to teach or to impose our beliefs on anyone, but simply wish to serve the community that we have come to love,” said Elder Nuñez.

Opportunities to serve at Caritas are frequently posted on JustServe.org, a website dedicated to connecting volunteers in their communities with organizations that need help. In fact, the missionaries first learned of Carita’s needs through the JustServe.org website.

“JustServe is a website developed to help individuals, members of the community, and interfaith groups care for those in need and enhance the quality of life in our communities,” said Terri Kofoed, JustServe Specialist, Fort Worth Region.

Caritas of Waco is a non-profit organization, helping anyone with urgent needs in the seven counties within Central Texas it serves. Individuals and families are given assistance in developing a plan of action to lift themselves out of poverty by setting goals such as GED classes and job training opportunities. Caritas also offers urgent assistance in the following ways: food, clothing, household items, utility assistance, prescription medication assistance, rent or mortgage assistance.