Denver Missionaries Help Pack 115,000 Meals for 9/11 Day of Service
By Corey Christiansen, Denver News Media Specialist
Denver, Colorado – “Never Forget” is an important reminder of the 9/11 victims and the incredible bravery of so many first responders that day. More than two decades later, “Never Forget” has also become a clarion call to remind individuals of the amazing things they can accomplish when they come together.
On this 23rd anniversary of 9/11, 60 missionaries from the Denver North Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined hands in supporting a JustServe event at the home of the NFL’s Denver Broncos. JustServe is a free website and app that helps people find volunteer opportunities in their local community. Inside Empower Field at Mile High, the missionaries donned hairnets to go with their brightly-colored JustServe shirts and black name tags. The project? Packing thousands of meals for local people in need.
The missionaries served as table captains – leading about 300 volunteers who participated in an annual meal packing event hosted by the 9/11 Day organization and AmeriCorps. One special volunteer who worked side-by-side with the missionaries was Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. Speaking about the experience, Elder Luke Wanstrom from Kamas, Utah said, “I think it’s so important for us as missionaries to be out here and to do these service opportunities. One of Jesus Christ’s most important teachings that He did in His earthly ministry was to serve others.”
In between packing food items into boxes, the missionaries also found some time for fun by dancing and trying to one-up each other with their creative moves. Tania Weinkle, an event organizer with 9/11 Day, said the missionaries’ enthusiasm was contagious for all of the volunteers. “I just have to say the JustServe team [of missionaries] was amazing! So high-energy – they kept everything going. The dance-offs were top-tier. It was incredible,” she said.
“I could see everyone just cheering every time they finished a box,” said Elder Clayton Hansen, from Altonah, Utah. “This service was amazing.” In the morning shift that the missionaries led, the volunteers packed 115,000 meals. For the full day, event volunteers packed a total of 200,000 meals. The meals were donated to the Food Bank of the Rockies and Community Food Share and will benefit people in need in the Denver metro area.
Honoring 9/11 as a day of service made a huge impact on the missionaries. “I loved today’s JustServe event,” said Sister Isabella Egnew from Goodyear, Arizona. “It was so amazing to get to serve in the community today and remember those who lost their lives years ago.”
Elder Logan Montierth from Mesa, Arizona agreed. “I think service is very healing to the community,” he said. “Any opportunity where everybody gets to be together with one another and serve each other, I think that’s a very healing moment when we can all be united in doing something good for others.”
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