GARDEN GROVE, Calif. -- Mormon youths from the Garden Grove area chose the Multiple Sclerosis Societies' Walk MS on Saturday as their contribution to serving their community as part of a larger LDS county-wide campaign to provide community service.

Thousands of Mormons and friends of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from all over southern California donated time, or volunteered for worthy causes of their choice, as part of Mormon Helping Hands, Community Day of Service.

The LDS youths from the Garden Grove Stake who volunteered at the Walk MS joined many other volunteers Saturday as part of the crew that staffed many tented booths that served the participants, friends, and attendees at the walk. Some helped hand out hundreds of donated pizza slices and drinks, while others helped at the photo booth. One group scoured the event site for trash on trash patrol, along with other volunteer assignments -- like cheering at the finish line.



Three youths from the LDS Garden Grove Stake, Vietnamese congregation, were assigned trash patrol.

Hetty La said, "I walked around, picked up trash, you know, just keeping it clean…it was pretty fun. I got to see what people are doing to fight MS, just a fun experience."
    Ha Le said, "It was great… I had a lot of fun, yeah, I was volunteering for helping picking up the trash, while keeping it clean.  I know not much, but I think I know a little about MS. It was great. It was wonderful.  I like it. I think it will be wonderful if I can help them out, and I would like to help other people that need my help."

Linda Truong said, "It was really good…I really like volunteering, I do it sometimes when I get a chance  for Key Club and stuff (through Savanna High School), but this was for church,  and it was just like really good…. It was my first time taking out the garbage (laugh), that's all I can say, I've never done it before, it was like interesting."

Service is not a new adventure for Mormons.  Church members in Orange County donate thousands of volunteer hours each year to many Orange County organizations such as The American Red Cross, Volunteer Center, Meals on Wheels, Boy Scouts of America, and in many other ways.

Besides promoting volunteerism, the church donates money for humanitarian aid. Since 1986, it has supplied more than $1 billion in cash and commodities for emergency relief, which has been distributed to millions of needy recipients in more than 165 countries, regardless of their religious affiliation. The church regularly partners with the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities, Islamic Relief Worldwide and other relief agencies. More information about LDS humanitarian aid is available at www.providentliving.org.