Roger Stanton is enthusiastic about the JustServe movement. What started for him as a volunteer position in his Sheffield congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has turned into a full-time mission.
In January 2020, Roger and his wife Sue eagerly accepted the assignment to promote JustServe throughout England. JustServe is a website that links volunteers with needs in the community. The Stantons’ charge is to contact charities nationwide, discover their needs for volunteers, and enter information on the JustServe website.
As Roger studied the guidelines from his church, he noted that full-time volunteers should spend eight to ten hours a week helping in the community. A quote by Elder Boyd K Packer, a past leader in the Church caught his attention, “There are three ways to teach good lessons, the first way is by example, the second way is also by example and so is the third way.”
The quote weighed on his mind. The more charities he added to JustServe, and the more he tried to recruit volunteers, the more he felt he should follow that advice and set a proper example.
Roger signed onto the website, and being a heart attack survivor, chose to volunteer with the British Heart Foundation. He was contacted by the shop manager and started training the following week.
Covid precautions were in place throughout the store, and Roger was assigned to greet customers as they entered. In his fun and friendly welcome, he encouraged them to follow the safety guidelines. Being a very social person who loves to visit, he laughs that his assignment was “to chat with people!”
Roger sports a waistcoat of colourful frogs with matching face mask designed by Sue. “It brings a smile on people’s faces” he quips. And it brings a smile to his face as he shares thoughts of chatting to wonderful people.
As we emerge from lockdown, Roger looks forward to once again welcoming customers into the shop. He encourages all who wish to serve in the community to “Download the JustServe app. Select a charity and press the volunteer button. Spend a few hours in a worthwhile cause. It’s where the fun starts.”
