In Spring City, Utah, ward, stake and community members have come together for many years to bless the lives of those in need.
Each year, a variety of kits — school, newborn, Christmas and hygiene kits — are put together and distributed to local hospitals and charities as well as some schools in Mexico.
These activities are planned for a specific time each year — school and hygiene kits between June and August in preparation for the upcoming school year and Christmas kits in December to help ring in the holiday season. The newborn kits are always being put together and donated to the local hospital.
Norma Crisp began these various projects back in 2007 and has been serving those in her community since.
What started as a Church calling has become a lifelong passion for serving others — a spirit of giving, which has become evident for other members of her community.
These projects began at a ward level, then grew to stake level, and they are now assisted by a local humanitarian center in nearby Mount Pleasant in central Utah and are attended by more than 100 volunteers.
On the growth and expansion of the projects, Crisp said, “It’s just amazing to me. ... It’s fun to see what’s being done and where it’s going.”
Items made with love
The Mount Pleasant Utah Stake holds four service projects each year: the school, Christmas, newborn and hygiene kits are assembled from donations made throughout the year, with the help of many generous hands.
In August of each year, the school kits are put together just in time for the start of the new school year. These kits include a handsewn school bag and schools supplies and are donated to a school district in Salt Lake City as well as Mexico.
In August 2024, 800 back-to-school kits were put together by a group of 100 volunteers; the activity is anticipated to be repeated in August 2025.
Hygiene kits are assembled and donated around the same time as the school kits to ensure kids starting school have the essentials. The hygiene kits always include a bath towel, washcloth, soap, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner.
A pair of handmade socks, candy, a jumprope, a ball, coloring book and crayons are included in the Christmas kits. About 200 Christmas kits are made each year and are donated to local charities.
Fabric is always being donated for the newborn kits. It is used to hand sew quilts, hats, burp pads and booties.
When sewn, one of each item is put into a bag for newborns, to be distributed in a local hospital. Around 200 newborn kits are made each year.
Quilts are also given to those who may have undergone surgery.
“Everyone is part of one big whole,” said Crisp, as she recalls the number of people who donated their time and love to these projects. More than 100 volunteers from neighboring wards and stakes gather throughout the year to organize and assemble these kits.
Feeling and giving the love of Christ
The service projects are something that brings the community together as friends and neighbors.
“We can make a difference in our lives and everyone around us as we serve with items to help with physical needs or time and love to help with emotional and spiritual needs,” said Karen Lewis, a former stake Relief Society president. “We feel Christ’s love for us as we feel love for those we serve.”
Added Crisp: “Once people find out what we’re doing and why, they want to help. Everything seems to fall into place as people find something they love to do as they serve. People are just ready to step forward and help out.”
Volunteers come and find purpose in loving and serving those around them in small and simple ways, and they feel needed — needed in the betterment of communities around them.
“This humanitarian group has helped us all mend from loneliness, heartache and trials; we laugh and love and try to build the kingdom of God as we love those around us,” Lewis said.
