Michelle Lord has organized a variety of service projects over the last three years, but none as big and complex as the tri-stake Day of Family and Community Service in Bakersfield, California.

Planning began a year in advance, Lord said. Over 500 people attended the event on Dec. 8, 2022, and participated in a variety of service projects, such as giving blood, tying quilts and making cards for military members.

Collectively, they donated 81 units of blood, 80 duffel bags, 30 school kits and 178 blankets to various organizations. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also gave 24 pallets of food to three local food banks, and donated a rescue vehicle to Bakersfield’s American Red Cross.

Lord was closely involved with the Day of Family and Community Service because, three years ago, she was called as JustServe specialist.

Church members may be familiar with JustServe.org, which launched in 2012 and helps users find volunteer opportunities close to them.

But members may be less familiar with the JustServe specialist calling, and the responsibilities of those serving in that capacity.

JustServe specialists help connect volunteers with volunteer opportunities through JustServe.org, according to the JustServe Specialist Quick Start Guide. They also invite local organizations to post their service needs on JustServe.org, coordinate service efforts with stake and mission leaders, and use social media and other tools to promote JustServe.

Not every project is as big as the Day of Family and Community Service; but the event highlights some of the many tasks JustServe specialists perform for service projects of any size, from fostering local connections to gathering and distributing needed materials.

Those efforts are vital in keeping JustServe running smoothly.

“JustServe specialists take the lead in teaching... how to use JustServe.org and the app and maintain relationships with local faith, nonprofit, community and governmental organizations,” the JustServe Community Service Guidebook states.

Challenges and rewards

A JustServe volunteer donates blood during the tri-stake Day of Family and Community Service in Bakersfield, California, held in December 2022.

Michelle Lord

JustServe specialists don’t do all of this important work by themselves, however. Lord credited her assistant, Nancy Brannon, with making much of the Day of Family and Community Service possible; and she praised the Church for how it “really steps up and helps locally to build good things.”

JustServe specialists also receive support from stake and area leaders, and from local Welfare and Self-reliance managers, the JustServe Community Service Guidebook states.

Lord said managing a typical JustServe project includes hanging posters and distributing other promotional materials, contacting people who have volunteered for similar projects in the past and “just a lot of communication.”

Her stake has previously run blood drives, collected socks for local missionaries and gathered books for needy children, she said.

Coordinating everything is the trickiest part of her calling; but “when we see the results, and we see all of these community people who have such wonderful opinions of the Church now... it’s really rewarding,” Lord said.

She added that people are happier when they’re serving and trying to be like the Savior.

And when it comes to JustServe projects, “I think once the ball gets rolling, there’s no stopping it,” Lord said. “[People] love the opportunity to join in a service project.”

Creating unity

From left: Robin Finlinson, Chandler JustServe specialist; Tara Goetzel, Chandler Arizona East Stake JustServe specialist, and Jane Andersen, Chandler communication director, are pictured during the Chandler Arizona East Stake’s Cultural Discovery Day in November 2022.

Robin Finlinson

Lord isn’t alone in her enthusiasm for JustServe. Tara Goetzel, a JustServe specialist for the Chandler Arizona East Stake, said she’s had “countless heartwarming experiences” since taking on the calling in February 2020.

Goetzel said her JustServe area group, which consists of an area JustServe specialist and stake JustServe representatives, meets about every other month to share ideas and discuss any difficulties.

It was during these meetings that the idea for a Cultural Discovery Day first emerged, Goetzel said. The goal was to create a large cultural event that incorporated family history efforts.

Goetzel said they invited the high councilor over family history to head up their committee. Some committee members handled details like decorations, food and setting up family history stations, while others found presenters and stage performers. These presenters made food from the countries they were representing and set up flags, photos and other cultural items for display.

The stake’s Cultural Discovery Day was held Nov. 5, 2022, and it was “a hit,” Goetzel said, with 600 attendees experiencing food and entertainment from over 18 countries, including Brazil, Egypt, Spain, Japan and New Zealand.

Performers share pieces of their culture during the Chandler Arizona East Stake’s Cultural Discovery Day in November 2022.

Robin Finlinson

Goetzel’s JustServe area group estimates that about 30% of the presenters and attendees weren’t members. Additionally, Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke and Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson were both in attendance.

“So many backgrounds and beliefs under one roof, laughing and talking, was so inspiring,” Goetzel said. “... I came away with a greater love for my community, and firm belief we are all God’s children and each one of us deserves respect. My dream of community unity was fulfilled that day.”

Goetzel said her stake plans on making Cultural Discovery Day an annual event. They also routinely participate in projects like blood drives, collecting school uniforms for children and preparing meals for the homeless.

While it can be challenging as a JustServe specialist to talk with strangers, network with local organizations and promote service projects, Goetzel said she loves feeling close to others as they serve together.

“I have had such a great experience with JustServe and feel it really makes a difference in our community,” she said. “I have felt proud of our Church when representing JustServe and feel it is a great tool to follow Christ’s admonition to ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’” (Matthew 22:39).