Over 100 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) came out to help the Santa Clarita community by participating in a day of service on Saturday, spreading mulch and clearing damaged irrigation systems at the Elsmere Fire burn site in Newhall.

https://www.facebook.com/khtsradio/videos/1085118861908591

On Saturday morning, an estimated 150 members of the Santa Clarita LDS community gathered at the Newhall Park and Ride off of the 14 Freeway at Newhall Avenue, all with the goal of beautifying the fire-ravaged area. 

“We’ve tried once or twice a year to do projects for the city,” said Michael Stanley, who serves as president of the Santa Clarita stake of the LDS church. “When we can come together and see each other and work in a safe environment, this is just a lot of fun.”

The Newhall Park and Ride had been left damaged by the Elsmere Fire in early August, eventually scorching 200 acres of land in the San Gabriel Mountains south of the 14 Freeway.

Volunteers of all ages worked together to remove fire-damaged irrigation, collect weeds and trash as well as spread mulch around the borders of the upper and lower parking lots of the Newhall Park and Ride.

See Related: Elsmere Fire Scorches 160 Acres, 60 Percent Contained 

The community day of service is a yearly tradition for the local LDS community, and in the past the church has organized many service events and projects over the years, according to Kathy Kellar.

Stanley noted that building up the community is an important aspect of the Santa Clarita spirit. 

“We teach our people to serve. During the pandemic, most of the service has been limited to individuals caring for and helping their neighbors,” he said prior to the event. “We are excited to get out of our homes and serve together with the community in a safe and physically distant environment.  In this way, we can be physically distant but not socially distant from our community and friends.”

For Stanley, one of his “favorite things” is seeing younger members of the LDS church working side by side with the rest of the congregation.

“Every time they drive down the 14 they’re going to see the project, and it will remind them of how they helped make the community better and how fun it is to serve other people,” he said. “That’s my favorite thing about it, the young adults and the children that are here working together with their families and friends in a good, safe environment.”

Photo by Michael Brown/KHTS News.

Ed. Note: Michael Brown contributed to this report.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.