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Latter-day Saints in Canada are preparing to participate in community service activities as part of the country’s National Day of Service on September 11, 2025. This day, established in 2011 to mark the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, is intended to encourage volunteerism and civic engagement across Canada. It also serves as a remembrance for the 24 Canadians who died during the attacks and recognizes acts of compassion that followed.
Elder M. Travis Wolsey, an Area Seventy for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints overseeing the Vancouver, British Columbia coordinating council, and his wife Sister Christine Wolsey spoke about the importance of this day.
Sister Wolsey said:
"Kindness and generosity matter. We are very grateful that our country sets aside a day to help us pay tribute to those who serve and remind us to look for ways to do good and help others in our local communities."
Elder Wolsey added:
"Kindness and generosity are characteristics of Jesus Christ. The New Testament disciples were witnesses that 'Jesus of Nazareth … went about doing good' (Acts 10:38). As modern disciples of Jesus Christ, we can also learn to love and serve those around us. Jesus invited us to reach out and serve others when he said, 'For that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do' (3 Nephi 27:21)."
The BC Thanksgiving Food Drive is one example highlighted by Sister Wolsey as a recurring event each September. She described how it began as a grassroots effort in Alberta before being adopted in British Columbia. Volunteers distribute grocery bags for neighbors to fill with food donations, which are then collected for local food banks.
"In British Columbia, each September, we love to participate in the BC Thanksgiving Food Drive. This [type of food drive] started off as a small grassroots endeavour in Alberta and was similarly adopted in British Columbia. Initially, we would drop off grocery bags to neighbours and invite them to fill and leave the bags on their doorstep. Then, on collection day, we would drive through our street and collect the bags, often overflowing. In fact, as neighbours saw us slowly drive by, collecting, and if they had forgotten to fill their bag, they would come running with their contribution!" she said.
Elder Wolsey noted:
"As we invited our friends and neighbours to come and serve, they loved the simplicity and fulfillment in 'doing good.' This effort currently involves all the stakes in British Columbia and has grown to include major corporate businesses, other faiths and community groups. Each September, we see more than 700,000 pounds of food are added to local food banks, and more than 3,000 community and church volunteers participate."
Sister Wolsey emphasized broader involvement throughout her family’s experience:
"Community service has provided many opportunities for our family — from helping at local food kitchens, volunteering at local sports events, donating blood for Canadian Blood Services, to volunteering on civic committees and boards. Clearly, the spirit of service goes well beyond September 11, but on that day,we have also expressed gratitude through social media posts,t hanking our local first responders,sending a note of thanks to friendsand even writing missionaries serving from our stake.Volunteeringand community service have becomea joyfuland memorable partof who we are."
Elder Wolsey stated:
"Volunteerism is vital regardlessof wherewe liveas thereare alwayslocal community needs.We canall makea differencewhen wegive backtoour communities.Additionally servingprovides eachofus achanceto livethe two great commandmentswhich include lovingour neighbour."
He cited scripture emphasizing small acts’ significance:
"The New Testament scriptures remind us that our small acts matter.'Lord when saw weth eean hungered,and fed thee?or thirsty,and gave thee drink?When saw wethee astranger,and tookthee in?or naked,and clothed thee?Or when saw wethee sick orin prison,and came untothee?Andthe King shall answerandsay untothem Verily Isay unto you Inasmuch asyehave doneit untoneofthe leastof these my brethren,y e havedone ituntome'(Matthew25:37–40)."
"We hope that on this National Day of Service people will answer Christ’s callto goabout doinggood," ElderWolsey concluded.
Canadians lookingfor volunteeropportunities can visit JustServe.org.
