Church named Group Volunteer of the Year

By Janene Nielsen

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been named Group Volunteer of the Year by Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE) during a luncheon on April 24, 2015, honoring volunteers who have given generously of their time and talents during the preceding year.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been an amazing partner to GRACE over the years,” said Lara Hohweiler, GRACE Volunteer Manager. “I have had the pleasure of working with many leaders of the Church. Often times I have called with last minute needs for volunteers. The response, without hesitation, is always, ‘How many and where?’ Then they magically appear!

“I have met countless missionaries [from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] who always call to see how they can better serve GRACE. It is always great to see youth willing to serve others in the community.”

The award was accepted by Ben Siebach, a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints coordinator for Just Serve, an online service developed by the Church to match organizations that need volunteers with volunteers willing to help.

“By partnering with the GRACE organization, our efforts in the community are more focused and impactful,” said Siebach. “GRACE identifies the needs. We bring the resources and efforts to fill the needs.”

Responding to questions about his church’s emphasis on service, Siebach went on to say, “We believe and follow the words of Jesus Christ, who said, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’  By serving others, we are honoring and worshiping our Savior.”

Founded in 1987, Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange (GRACE) is a Grapevine, Texas, faith-based, nonprofit relief agency, providing food, clothing and other emergency assistance to people in need in northeast Tarrant County with the goal of encouraging self-sufficiency.

Pictured: Just Serve Coordinator Natasha Siebach, GRACE Volunteer Manager Lara Hohweiler, Colleyville Stake Public Affairs Director Nancy Coplen, and Ben Siebach, Just Serve Coordinator and liaison to GRACE