Volunteers came with bags of nonperishable food, school supplies and personal care items. The Columbine Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sponsored a community service day, and more than 200 people participated in projects at the church on Saturday, Aug. 25. Scores of others donated items for the projects.

Families came and children and teens enjoyed decorating about 400 bags that Project Angel Heart will use to transport meals that bring hope and dignity to people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

"I'm astonished at the response and participation," said Elly Taysom, organizer of the project. She estimates that nearly 100 people decorated bags Saturday, while dozens of people in her congregation donated ribbon, stickers and other decorating supplies.

Sewing machines hummed as women stitched layette items for Warm Hearts/Warm Babies. Others used patterns to cut out the items from the array of flannel fabric donated for the project. More than 100 items including burp cloths, mitts and receiving blankets were completed for babies in need at hospitals, shelters, and in foster care. Women throughout the Columbine community make and donate items for these needy babies throughout the year.

Students at an elementary school in Montbello will soon receive bags filled with school supplies including pens, pencils, glue, scissors and spiral notebooks. Project organizer Jennifer Johnson hoped to gather enough items to fill 25 bags for these students who rely on the generosity of others for basic supplies. She was thrilled at the prospect that 50 kits could be assembled because of generous donations from members of her congregation.

Hundreds of pounds of nonperishable food will help stock the shelves at Inter-Faith Community Services in Littleton. This organization has been helping low-income families, children and seniors in the South Metro area since 1964. Several neighborhoods organized food drives, and many people who came to participate in activities Saturday brought a bag of canned goods with them.

The Jeffco Action Center (JAC), an agency that supports the needs of Jefferson County residents, received 300 travel-size bottles of shampoo to add to personal care kits. Under the direction of the Relief Society, the women's organization of the Church, a congregation donates meals each month to JAC. On Saturday, a group of 16 volunteers made 36 large casseroles to support this ongoing project.

Organizers and volunteers said they were pleased with the outcome of the various projects and were thankful for the opportunity to help others in the community. The day was planned as part of the Governor's Colorado Cares Day under the direction of the Public Affairs Committee of the Columbine Stake.

For more information, contact Kerry Schaper, 303-973-1577 or e-mail, kschaper1017@earthlink.net.