Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Volunteers Rally to Aid Hurricane Idalia Victims | Cliptv Online

By Abraham Adaranijo

Over a thousand volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined forces in Florida on Saturday, September 2, 2023, to offer assistance to residents of the Big Bend area who were severely affected by the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia.

Hurricane Idalia, a Category 3 storm, struck on the morning of Wednesday, August 30, causing an estimated $9 billion in property losses across the region.

One couple, John and Pam Horton of Suwannee, Florida, were among those who faced devastation due to a storm surge that inundated their home with over five feet of water and mud. Forced to evacuate ahead of the hurricane, they returned to find their possessions covered in mud and debris, a daunting sight for anyone.

Norman Beatty and his family, part of a volunteer group from Gainesville, Florida, were determined to help. They assisted by removing waterlogged furniture, cleaning out the muck and debris from the Hortons’ home, and even took on the challenging task of cutting down a fallen tree that had damaged the house during the storm.

Beatty, motivated by his belief in Christ’s teachings, saw this service as an opportunity to help his community and extended family. “These are my brothers and sisters, and I love them,” he emphasized.

In addition to clearing homes, other groups of volunteers focused on the removal of fallen trees and debris that littered the affected areas.

In Fanning Springs, Florida, a team of missionaries partnered with Jimmy Perryman, a local leader from Chiefland, along with a small group of congregants, to remove a large tree that had fallen across the property of Brad and Lanette Six. Despite the mess, the Sixes expressed gratitude for being protected during the storm and were touched by the willingness of others to help clean up the aftermath.

Elder Landon Berning, a missionary from Kaysville, Utah, currently serving in Florida, expressed his enthusiasm for participating in service projects like this. “It’s all volunteer work, and it’s all for Jesus Christ and for your neighbor. It’s the two great commandments,” he shared.

Brad Six summed up the sentiment shared by many involved in the cleanup efforts: “The way you show people you love them is through helping, through serving.”

Volunteers from congregations across the Southeast plan to continue their cleanup efforts in the coming weeks, offering hope and practical assistance to those affected by Hurricane Idalia’s devastating impact.