Members reach out to help after major earthquakes
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Amid the rumble of aftershocks, members of the Palm Springs California Stake and full-time missionaries mobilized to help those stricken by two major earthquakes in Southern California June 28.
Measuring 7.4 and 6.5 on the Richter scale - largest in California in 40 years - the earthquakes centered near Landers and Big Bear City, Calif., about 80-90 miles east of Los Angeles. A child was killed and at least 269 were injured. The temblors disrupted power, communication and water services, and destroyed or damaged about 1,323 homes and dozens of businesses throughout the desert and mountain communities here. Early damage estimates reached $91 million.Pres. Howard B. Anderson of the Los Angeles California Stake reported that the Hollywood Ward meetinghouse received minor damage and was undergoing safety inspections. The LDS meetinghouse in Yucca Valley received only minor damage, while the meetinghouse in Big Bear City was structurally damaged.
The Los Angeles Temple was not damaged.
Six members of the Yucca Valley 2nd Ward, which includes the Landers area, lost their homes. One LDS home in the Big Bear Ward, Barstow California Stake, was destroyed.
Two members suffered minor lacerations. Missionaries from the California Riverside and the California San Bernardino missions were reported safe.
Palm Springs California Stake Pres. Craig Zundel canceled most Church meetings after the quakes and requested that members help wherever they were needed. First counselor M. Blaine Wood told the Church News that about 70 LDS men and young men gathered in Yucca Valley, 10 miles east of Landers, to help with clean-up efforts.
Meanwhile, donations of relief supplies, such as food, water, first aid, shovels and gloves, were donated by stake members and a local business to Latter-day Saints affected by the quakes. The bishops's storehouse in Colton, Calif., also donated relief supplies.
Among Church members who volunteered to help in relief efforts were Ron Hazard, multiregion public affairs director of the San Bernardino and Ontario areas, and Jack Carter, public affairs director of the Twentynine Palms 2nd Ward, who coordinated amateur radio communications.
Missionaries from the California Riverside and California San Bernardino missions volunteered to help clean up in Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and Big Bear City.
