Murrieta Equestrian Center Gets Makeover on Mormon Helping Hands Day

News release:

On Saturday, April 27, the Murrieta Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partnered with the city to give the Murrieta Equestrian Park a much-needed face-lift. From 8 a.m. to noon, more than 600 volunteers, of all ages; most donning the now familiar, yellow ‘Mormon Helping Hands’ vests gave a total of 2,448 service hours that included painting, gardening and clearing rocks, by hand.

With the hills as backdrop to the beautiful Murrieta Equestrian Park, the setting on this particular Saturday morning, to the innocent bystander, may have appeared more like a family reunion than a community service project. From mothers’ with children tagging behind -- to active grandparents  -- everyone moving along, engaged in various activities; all the way down to the ‘littlest’ helping hands. “Being able to give back to our great city of Murrieta is a real blessing,” stated Timothy Patterson, a member of the Murrieta Stake Presidency, “With an excellent turnout of around 600, nearly matching last year’s record, we accomplished tasks that would take a normal work party weeks; maybe months to finish. When you have that many people working together and serving side-by-side, the results are amazing.”

Originally established in the 1950s as a breeding ranch, the city of Murrieta acquired the property about three years ago. After careful consideration, it was decided that the ranch could be put to excellent use by holding equestrian competitions, as well as renting out the facility for weddings, receptions, scouting events, etc.

In search of this year’s Mormon Helping Hands community service project, Brian Connors, Director of Public Affairs for the Murrieta Stake, sought advice by talking with councilman Randon Lane, Mayor Pro-tem Kelly Bennett and Mayor Rick Gibbs. Connors eventually was able to connect with City Manager, Rick Dudley’s executive assistant, Nancy Driggers, who was able to help Connors identify, hands down, the project needing the most immediate attention, and where volunteers could be of the most service to the community; Murrieta Equestrian Park!

On site, from the city of Murrieta, Recreation Supervisor, Colby Diuguid and Park Maintenance Supervisor, George Moring, were there to ensure that everyone knew where to go, and what needed to be done throughout the morning, and see to it that everything necessary was prepared in advance, so that the day would go as smooth as possible; and as planned.

What could have seemed daunting to some, turned into mere child’s play as volunteers were sent off to serve at one of six major projects throughout the park, such as, painting The Rick Thompson Competition Arena (300’ x 150’), a large barn, two homes (oversized kitchen), and historic horseshoe stables. Other projects included gardening and collecting rocks from the arena. “It was a great day!” posted, volunteer Suzanne Damf, on the Equestrian Park Project Facebook event wall, the following day, “We spent most of our day at the big barn across the street, scraping, sweeping and then painting; a good tired.”

Reportedly, Murrieta city officials’ appeared to be overwhelmed -- in a very good way -- by the abundance of yellow in their midst; evident by a quick dash for more paint! The catchphrase of the day, heard into the next, and so on... “It was a great day!” heard repeatedly, both by those who participated, and those now hearing about it, wishing they had; this year’s Murrieta Helping Hands: Equestrian Park Project!

Each time we put on the yellow Mormon Helping Hands vest, and reach out to our community to lift and serve our neighbor, it is our desire that we emulate true Christian service. “We especially want to thank the city and their staff for their guidance, preparation and time”, said Patterson.

—News release submitted by Kathryn Skaggs for the Murrieta Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints