Fort Worth LDS Women’s Group Promotes Community Service

The Fort Worth Stake Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints hosted a dinner and evening activity focused on community service June 28, 2018. More than 100 women, ages eight and older, joined together to learn about community needs and participate in service projects benefiting five times their number.

“Our evening focused on hearing about service and doing service, and that brings people together,” said Nancy Strain, Fort Worth Stake Relief Society President. “We sat side by side learning together, working together, serving together, having fun together, and feeling the Spirit of love and service together.”

“What a grand evening we enjoyed last month sponsored by the Fort Worth Stake Relief Society,” said dinner speaker Connie Nahoolewa, Executive Director of Northside Inter-Community Agency, a community-based organization promoting self-reliance. “Thanks to all for bringing donations for NICA’s Thrift Store and to the women who helped transport them to the agency. More than eight carloads of clothing and household items were delivered, and we were blessed with hygiene kits for the homeless and snack bags for the children’s summer camp. There was such an outpouring of generosity and goodwill. What wonderful gifts, thank you!”

Also addressing the group was recently widowed Sheila Beck who spoke on how being involved in community service can be healing after personal tragedy.

“Losing my husband has been harder than anything I could ever imagine,” said Beck. “I am finding that being connected to others through service has been a tremendous blessing to me […] Service is a thread that connects us to each other and to Heaven, strengthening us as we serve, no matter how big or small our service might be.”

Additionally, the women learned about using the JustServe website to find service opportunities in the community. JustServe brings together organizations —which can post volunteer needs on the website — and the volunteer looking for a place to serve.

“I loved learning about the Taste Project post on JustServe, and I can’t wait to volunteer there and be a Taste Bud!” said Kendall Sagnimeni, age 17.

Following dinner and the presentations, sisters divided into groups to complete a variety of service projects benefiting three local organizations.

346 handmade greeting cards were made to be delivered with food for Meals on Wheels, 30 lovey dolls for hospitalized babies were made for Threads of Love, 40 snack sacks for kids’ camp and 50 hygiene kits for the homeless were made for NICA, and donated clothing and household items were donated to NICA and delivered to their warehouse.

“I loved that there were so many service opportunities in one place. It gave us the ability to choose something we are good at, or to learn something new,” said attendee Christina Sagnimeni. “Two of my daughters made lovey dolls for babies in the hospital, while my other daughter made a dozen cards and helped load donations. It was an uplifting evening.”

“This is the kind of experience women want and that’s what I think made it successful,” said Nancy Strain, Fort Worth Stake Relief Society President.