MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Over 1,400 volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints were working along the Grand Strand and in the Pee Dee this weekend. They were helping those still suffering after Hurricane Matthew by cleaning up debris, cutting down trees and moving furniture out of flooded homes.
“We believe in charity,” said Stake President, Joseph Jennings. “That’s a big word in our faith and we just love being able to get out into the community and get to know other people. I firmly believe that there’s no better feeling than putting the needs of somebody else above yourself.”
Those volunteers, who came from all over the southeast, are completing hundreds of work orders for those in need.
“I came here this weekend because other people here need help,” said volunteer Ethan Carron. “Some houses are pretty simple, a tree here a few branches and limbs there, but some other houses they just got completely washed out completely flooded. Everything’s gone.”
So far, the volunteers have logged over 38,000 hours all over the state.
“Some of the places that we’ve gone to I mean we’ve literally met people that have been in tears,” added Jennings. “There’s really just no place we’d rather be.”
He said the volunteers get just as much, if not more, out of the experience than the homeowners they’re helping.
“It’s an opportunity for them to step away from their hectic lives and to realize there’s things more important out there,” said Jennings.
Carron agreed and said, “I get joy out of service. Also, I can skip the gym this week. It’s pretty heavy logs.”
More volunteers will continue to travel to our area until the work orders are complete.
