Area Youth Beautify SW Montana Veterans Memorial

Youth from around southwest Montana gathered in Dillon on Saturday, July 13, 2024, to clean up the Southwest Montana Veterans Memorial. The youth came from Dillon, Lima, Sheridan, Whitehall, Butte, Anaconda, and Deer Lodge and are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They spent their time pulling weeds, replenishing the rock near the waterfall, trimming trees and shrubs, cleaning the boulevard, sweeping the pavilion, sanding and staining the picnic tables and pavilion, and scrubbing the memorials.

"I am very happy for the help," said Ronnie Lake, President of the Southwest Montana Veterans Memorial. "People have noticed how nice the waterfall area looks. The youth were responsible and worked until the job was completed. "

Mike Miller, President of the Kiwanis Club of Dillon, said, "Thank you to all the folks who gave up their Saturday to help our club as we try to maintain the park as best we can. We would never be able to complete all the projects these folks did. So please know we appreciate your support and time."

The service was part of a larger day of learning and socializing to build faith, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"There's no better way to teach youth how to emulate Jesus Christ than through service," said Sam Stockett, a local youth leader with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "We're grateful to everyone involved who facilitated the opportunity for these teenagers to make a difference in their community."

Latter-day Saint youth look for ways to serve in their communities as they learn to be better disciples of Jesus Christ.