MESA, ARIZ.
Latter-day Saint youth from the Gilbert Arizona Stake joined with St. Anne Catholic Youth Ministry for a youth conference and humanitarian project Saturday, Nov. 6.
About 450 Mormon youth from the Gilbert Arizona Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and neighbors from the St. Anne's Catholic Church participated in projects that expanded across the 150-acre site known as "Sunshine Acres Youth facility" in Mesa, Ariz.
Sunshine Acres is a home for youth ages 5-15 whose parents are unable to care for them because of incarceration, substance abuse or abandonment.
"Wondrous things happened as youth from both churches joined forces," said Colleen Smith, first councilor in the stake Young Women presidency. "The project was mammoth in scope."
Projects included painting and refurbishing a home, decorating, landscaping, weeding and general clean up. "Many young people had never seen a horse barn, nor cleaned one. But there was no hesitance," Sister Smith said. "They grabbed their tools and pitched in their muscle. They cleaned corrals and painted pipe railings. When they finished painting the corrals and the exterior of a medical building, cutting weeds, shoveling gravel around a new house, planting trees and bushes, they broke for lunch.
"Beyond the work, it was a day filled with laughter. An adult leader heard a young girl say, 'The five hours of work seemed like only a couple.' Another young person said, 'It's wonderful. I love it.'"
At one point, youth leaders watched a group of four stop with their work, lean on their shovels and burst into song. "This is so fun," the youth sang.
Cindy Humphrey, a director at Sunshine Acres said, "We love your Church and what you do. … When we need help, we pray, and you are the answer to our prayers."
After participating with the youth, President Kevin M. Ballard of the Gilbert stake asked the 12 wards in the stake to take monthly turns providing help to the youth facility.
