Saratoga News

Photograph by Christian Del Rosario

Sharon Buskirk and friends rake weeds at Saratoga's Wildwood Park. They were among many local volunteers working on community projects during the Mormons' Worldwide Pioneer Heritage Service Day.

Mormons celebrate history and community

By Suzy Ramirez

In keeping with a tradition of service, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Saratoga joined more than 20,000 worldwide congregations of the church in dedicating a day to their local communities on July 19.

On Worldwide Pioneer Heritage Service Day, church members donated150 hours to their communities in celebration of the Pioneer Sesquicentennial--the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Latter-Day Saint pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah in July 1847.

History tells how Brigham Young led a small band of pioneers across the Great American Plains and the Rocky Mountains to the remote Valley of the Great Salt Lake. The purpose of their journey was to gain religious freedom, and their path became known as the Mormon Trail.

The community project, designated by city officials at the request of church officials, brought together the Saratoga congregation to provide improvements for the city's Wildwood Park. The group of approximately 60 volunteers removed dry grass, weeds and old trees to eliminate fire hazards and reduce soil erosion. Children kept occupied by making crafts and homemade windsocks.

When the volunteers finished the job, they had exceeded the required 150 hours, putting in a total of 218 hours' work.

"It was outstandingly successful," project coordinator Ray Froess said. "There was a personal feeling of accomplishment when we saw the improvement of the park after we were done."

According to Teri Jones, director of public affairs for local Latter-Day Saints congregations, the heritage service day was designated by Mormon Church leaders as a worldwide community service day in commemoration of the historic trek. Latter-Day Saints throughout the world, including Africa, parts of Europe, the Philippines and Australia, took part in giving back to their local communities.

The local communities in the Saratoga stake (chapter), including Saratoga, Los Gatos, Cupertino, Campbell and Monta Vista, joined together for the Mormon Pioneer Sesquicentennial Celebration on July 26 at the Latter-Day Saints' church, located on Allendale Avenue in Saratoga.

The community at large attended the educational family event, celebrating and participating in pioneer games, learning to quilt, making wood carvings and watching pioneer dancing and singing. There was also a children's pioneer parade and a chance to take family photos in front of a pioneer handcart.

Chapter President John B. Ludwig, appearing as Brigham Young at the celebration, gave Young's actual farewell address to the Mormon Battalion troops as they began their march from Kansas to Texas and finally to San Diego.

Additionally, Saratoga Mayor Gillian Moran presented a city proclamation recognizing July 24 as "Worldwide Pioneer Heritage Service Day" during the celebration.

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