December 6, 2005 > Community service with a smile

by Jan Lumley

On a recent Saturday morning over 125 teenagers completed several local service projects. They painted over the graffiti on the sound walls along I-880, assembled hygiene kits for humanitarian aid, organized pantries, cleaned the yard and planted shrubs at the Tri City Homeless Coalition shelter, Sunrise Village. They sewed laundry bags and put together Christmas gifts for the shelter, and knitted hats for newborns at local hospitals.

The youth, ages 14 to 18, came from Fremont and Livermore to attend a Youth Conference sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the theme, "Can You Hear Me Now?" After the service projects, they listened to speakers and gained knowledge to give them strength when they struggle with making correct choices. They were particularly interested in hearing Rob Davis, the chief of police in San Jose. He said the decisions they make now will define who they are in the future.