KINGSCOTE, South Australia-This past Saturday, Latter-day-Saint Charities, the charitable arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made a significant donation to families and the community of Kangaroo Island, Australia.
This donation will assist many seriously impacted by a major bush-fire that recently burned half of the land mass of the island off of South Australia’s coast.
This Kangaroo Island “Ravine fire” tore through more than 200,000 hectares with a perimeter over 600 kilometers.
It was first reported last December 30 and two property owners were killed as they fought this blaze.
Furthermore, 65 homes on farm properties and other buildings were destroyed.
The world-renowned Flinders Chase National Park, its visitors centre, and numerous other tourism facilities were also affected.
March 14, Elder Ian S. Ardern, the Pacific Area president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his wife, Sister Paula Ardern, Area Seventy Elder Paul N. Lekias, Sister Rebecca Lekias, Steven Petersen, and Sister LuAnn Petersen, traveled to Kangaroo Island to meet with Mayor Michael Pengilly and several families affected by the fire.
These visitors were also accompanied by Adelaide Australia Marion Stake President Jason Ellis.
Kangaroo Island branch president, Shaun Hinves, and his wife, Anthea, met the group during the day, showing them around the island.
Elder Ardern then presented 100 gift wallets to families recovering from the natural disasters.
Each wallet featured three vouchers, each valued at $100 to be spent at the island’s hardware store, petrol station and supermarket.
The wallets also featured self-help ideas and messages of love and support from missionaries representing the Australia Adelaide Mission.
Elder Ardern also presented four fully-equipped trailers to Blaze Aid, a not-for-profit organization whose retailers repair rural fencing destroyed by national disasters, to assist in the efforts.
Previously, the Church donated 10 semi-trailer loads of hay and water to farming families on the island.
