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JACKSONVILLE, Florida — The cleanup from Hurricane Irma got a boost Sunday as a wave of Mormon Helping Hands volunteers traded their time in the church pews to work in Florida neighborhoods damaged in the storm.
For many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Florida, the morning began with a brief worship service followed by a day cleanup throughout their communities.
"We have a 6:45 (a.m.) sacrament meeting with all of the volunteers. So if you can imagine church with yellow shirts, that is the way it was. And so it was very special," said volunteer Gene Patch.
Hundreds of volunteers just like Patch fanned out throughout the city of Jacksonville, providing relief for those who have been suffering since the monster hurricane hit one week ago.
President Henry B. Eyring, first counselor in the LDS Church's First Presidency, attended a later meeting, giving encouragement to those helping to serve by distributing supplies or working in the massive cleanup effort.
"I was very excited to be here and have (President Eyring) in our presence and to know we are out there trying to do the best we can, and so is he," said Jacqueline Nuttall, a volunteer with Mormon Helping Hands.
One group of volunteers offered to help on a street not far from the river, which surged during the storm. They worked tirelessly to clear debris from the roadway and surrounding area.
"A wonderful band of Mormon children came and cleaned the marsh grass out," said Robin Evans, a resident of Jacksonville.
Evans said she couldn't be more grateful for the unexpected help.
"I have been trying to do this by myself, but because of the heat, I have only been able to do a little bit in the morning and afternoon. And look at this! They have taken care of this in about 30 minutes. It's wonderful," she said.
Among the Mormon Helping Hands volunteers was Clinton Heller, who wasn't new to hurricane cleanup.
"This is actually my second time to do this," Heller said. "Last year, I was living in Jacksonville when Hurricane Matthew was here. And you can really see how much (our service) moves people, and the amount of gratitude in their heart."
"God brought them to me, I am telling you. I know what happened," said Kay Wheeler, another Jacksonville resident who benefitted from the work done by Mormon Helping Hands volunteers.
Wheeler lost a few trees in the storm, and several limbs and branches had been cluttering her yard.
"I was in there reading my Bible when they knocked on my front door. And all of the sudden they came storming in here, and I said, 'Good Heavens!' Wheeler said. "And so what God will put on you, he will do for you. I can tell you that right now."
And it's the coming together as new friends that these volunteers find rewarding.
"It is a wonderful way to meet people, and they are very appreciative, and we get to form some good friendships," Patch said. "It is a special thing."
Even though it was an exhausting day for the volunteers, they plan to be at it again for the next several weekends as they continue to clean up from the mess of Hurricane Irma.
Contributing: Jordan Ormond
