JustServe is pleased to announce that this year's Heart of Service Award was presented to Dan Palmer and Rick Shelley in recognition of their years of dedicated service and their commitment to strengthening relationships throughout our community. Through their work with Tzu Chi, Dan and Rick have been a driving force in building bridges among organizations, faith communities, and individuals who share a desire to make a meaningful difference. Their willingness to collaborate,

A huge THANK YOU to the Mesa Alma Stake for showing up in a big way for our annual back-to-school drive! 🙌 Backpacks, shoes, socks, markers, notebooks, tissues, copy paper — you name it, you donated it. And the smiles on these faces say it all! 😄 Local elementary schools were so grateful to receive these donations, and every single item helps a child walk into their first day of school feeling ready and confident. That's a big deal. 💛 Special shoutout to our Stake JustServ

This evening, Laura Fabiano, Marni Fuhriman, and Sharon Parry from Communications Team attended a cultural performance hosted by Tzu Chi featuring the Taiwanese Indigenous Youth Alliance (TIYA). TIYA is an advocacy and cultural exchange organization composed of Indigenous students and young leaders from Taiwan. Their mission is to bridge generations, foster international cultural exchange, and empower Indigenous youth to bring Indigenous perspectives and advocacy skills back

Volunteering our time is one of the simplest ways we can support organizations doing meaningful work in our community. Even a few hours can help lighten the load and strengthen efforts that bless others. Positive Paths helps support women in need through education and one-on-one mentoring. They were also one of the beneficiaries of the Giving Machine. On March 20, Sung Turley volunteered for four hours at their biggest fundraising event of the year. “There were two of us volu

Recently, over 100 of our youth (ages 11–18) gathered to donate items and assemble 450 snack bags for at-risk children in our community. The project was sourced through JustServe, and all 450 bags were donated to Gathering Humanity, a local non-profit that delivers snacks to area schools, shelters, and group homes. The volunteers at Gathering Humanity were absolutely thrilled and amazed by the massive volume of bags our youth produced! Before starting, the group talked about

This year, our stake celebrated Mother's Day through service. On May 8th and 9th, members and missionaries distributed flowers to new moms and made blankets for new babies. These activities were done in conjunction with staff from the Aid to Women Center of Chandler, a service-provider for families who need support. Thank you to the stake Just Serve team, Liahona 5th Ward, and Buzz, Woody, and Princess Leia! The flowers were delivered earlier in the week, and staff at the Cen

Our full-time and Stake Missionaries, alongside dedicated volunteers from congregations throughout the Mesa Alma Stake, continue their weekly commitment to the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. Every Friday morning for several years, our volunteers have provided many helping hands to support this vital community resource. Addressing Food Insecurity Food insecurity remains a major concern for low-income families in the Phoenix area. When paired with the rising cost of living, this

Our Stake recently had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer alongside the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation , an organization world-renowned for its humanitarian work and compassion. The missionaries serving in the Mesa Alma Stake volunteer volunteer several times each month, alongside many of our members. It was a privilege to see their mission—to relieve suffering and provide aid—in action. Whether we were assisting with food distribution, organizing supplies, or helping with

Joint Palm Sunday Devotional The Los Altos Ward and St. Matthew United Methodist Church recently gathered in a beautiful musical celebration to mark the beginning of the Easter season. The evening featured inspired messages from Bishop Don Mortensen and Pastor Ann Lyter , who shared insights on the profound hope found in Jesus Christ. The program was enriched by a variety of musical contributions—including choir, solo, and instrumental performances—offered by members of both

On Feb. 7 , Dobson High School turned into something special—families with strollers, kids eager for the Fun Run, and runners from across the Valley all moving together for one reason: Hope on the Move . The energy started early with the Family Fun Run , then rolled right into the 5K , where every mile felt like a community statement that child safety matters—and that Mesa shows up when it counts. What happened behind the scenes mattered just as much as what happened on the

We are grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside our friends at Tzu Chi , who are a beautiful example of loving your neighbor through compassion, generosity, and joyful service. Sharing a Gratitude Hot Pot on Saturday, December 13th was a meaningful reminder of how service brings people together and strengthens our community. Everyone is welcome to come help serve alongside Tzu Chi—we would love to have you! For more details, please contact the Stake Communications Dir

For more than ten years, the Mesa Alma Stake has been actively working to foster good community relations and help those in need through the I-HELP (Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program) . What is I-HELP? It provides safe, emergency overnight lodging and meals to participants who are carefully screened (all are clean, sober, and actively seeking employment). This program offers a hand up, not just a handout. Our Stake's Commitment: We consistently provide donated,

We are delighted to share that two wonderful local charities within our Stake boundaries are part of the Gilbert Giving Machines ! #PazDeCristo #positivepaths These two groups are doing crucial work, providing services and assistance to our neighbors who need it most. The Giving Machines are a fun and easy way to make a big difference. Please visit them today! (P.S. The attached pictures feature the directors from both organizations at the ribbon cutting event held on Novemb

The 2025 Gratitude Gathering on November 9th was a wonderful evening of interfaith unity at the First United Methodist Church of Gilbert. With the theme “Rooted in Gratitude: Honoring the Golden Rule Together,” representatives from various faith traditions—including Edward Callirgos for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mesa Alma Stake—shared reflections of gratitude and compassion. This event is held every year, and if you missed it, we hope you’ll join us at

“In October, our Los Altos Ward missionaries were busy blessing the community,” shared Evan Olson, Ward Mission Leader. “They assisted three times at the Saint Matthew United Methodist Church Food Pantry, helping serve neighbors in need with cheerful hearts. Then just this past week, Elders Bushman and Smith rolled up their sleeves again—this time helping install new signage at Saint Matthew’s. They spent three and a half hours removing the old system and securing the new sig

Twice a month, volunteers from the Mesa Alma Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partner with the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation (Elliott & Dobson) to unload the semi-truck that brings food for individuals and families in need. This takes place on the 2nd and 4th Fridays at 9:00 a.m. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we strive to love our neighbors and lift those around us. This ongoing partnership has become a meaningful way for us to follow the Savior’s exampl

The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation’s Phoenix Service Center has been a beacon of hope and support in the community since its establishment in 1996. Over the years, it has expanded its services to meet the growing needs of those facing hardship. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Mesa Alma Stake has joined hands with Tzu Chi, bringing volunteers, translators, and dental professionals to enhance these efforts. This partnership highlights how faith-based organizations