Members

Young single adults honor underserved mothers and grandmothers in their community

Banquet pays tribute to women who go above and beyond to keep children in school in Utah’s Washington County School District

By Mary Richards Jan 9, 2023 11:15 a.m. EST

Members

Young single adults honor underserved mothers and grandmothers in their community

Banquet pays tribute to women who go above and beyond to keep children in school in Utah’s Washington County School District

By Mary Richards Jan 9, 2023 11:15 a.m. EST

At-risk students have a higher chance of staying in school if they have supportive caregivers at home — and a recent event sought to recognize and lift those caregivers in St. George, Utah.

With the help of the Washington County School District, young single adults in the St. George Utah YSA 1st Stake gathered donations and held a banquet on Nov. 16, 2022, to honor 16 mothers and grandmothers. In the process of serving the women, the young members were inspired and blessed themselves.

“I was touched in so many ways and could feel the love of our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ for these women and for the work we were doing,” said Elizabeth Clark, a member of the Santa Clara YSA Ward.

The young single adults gathered donations of children’s books, clothing and food for the women to take home. They also put together gift baskets with things like candles, socks, vouchers for various services, and a statue of a mother from the Willow Tree Collection — all donated by generous members of the stake and community. Each woman received a certificate of gratitude as well.

“Many of the women felt like they didn’t deserve this much, and they were honored that we put all of this together for them,” Clark said.

Clark thought some of the young single adults might not have extra food or clothes or books to donate — or money to purchase them — but she was amazed the night of the dinner to see donations fill half of the cultural hall. She explained that she felt stressed before the banquet, wondering how it would all come together, but as she got to work she felt peace.

Katherine Isom

Monica Walker of the Southgate YSA Ward also described the stress of putting everything together — and the prayers that she made while planning and preparing.

“I was constantly praying that these women would understand the level of gratitude the Washington County School District had for them and understood that even we could see the miracle that they were for so many people who may not have been able to get their education without them,” Walker said.

During the dinner, each mother or grandmother was called individually to the front where a short bio was read about them and they received the statue and certificate.

Walker said as she talked with the women at her table, she was “floored” by the amount of love they had for the children they cared for. Some not only cared for their own children or grandchildren, they also fed, clothed and supported others.

“I felt like I was dining with angels because of the immense sacrifice each of them had given for so many people,” she said. “They were very humble women who loved their families.”

Clark helped the women take their things to their cars and hugged them goodbye. After serving and helping the women, she felt care and love for them.

“It opened my eyes to hear their stories and the challenges they have overcome and the challenges they face each day,” Clark said. “They really are incredible for all that they do.”