LDS Stake President Jack Williams Earns Humanitarian Of The Year Award In Elk Grove, California

Jack Williams

Jack Williams is not only a family man, but the stake president of the Elk Grove (California) Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, overseeing 10 congregations. He also owns five different businesses in the local area. That by itself would keep most people gainfully employed.

But Jack Williams also gets involved in civic affairs, to the point that the Elk Grove Citizen selected him for their 2010 Humanitarian of the Year award.

Highlights:

-- Led 900 volunteers in cleaning up and trimming 15 parks in eastern Elk Grove. This was more important than it appears at first glance, because the city had curtailed park maintenance. It's estimated the volunteer effort saved the parks district an additional $22,000.
-- Led efforts to donate 17 sleeping bags to the homeless, collecting 30 boxes of new children’s shoes as Christmas gifts, and launching a food drive that collected more than 20,000 cans of food for charity.
-- Personally donated $1,000 to Palermo’s restaurant for their annual Thanksgiving feast for the local needy and lonely and followed up by spending much of his holiday serving the free meals to them.
-- Serves as a board director for the Northeastern California Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Personal Testimonials:

-- From Elk Grove City Council Member Sophia Scherman, who served as mayor in 2010, and said Williams' love for others is boundless: “He has used his blessings to not only assist the citizens of Elk Grove, but also in South America and Africa...He and his family give without conditions.” Williams also traveled to Zambia in 2008 to help create a micro-credit bank for charity.

-- From the Citizen’s 2010 Man of the Year, Mark Jansson: “He’s always upbeat and got a smile on his face that speaks to a ‘can do’ attitude...There’s not a mean bone in his body, and anyone that might be near by will start smiling when he’s in the room.”

The Elk Grove Citizen does not disclose the size of his family or whether or not any family members have chronic disabilities requiring intense supervision. Even if Jack Williams has no additional challenges to face at home, his accomplishments are most impressive.

But this should not discourage those who are not capable of rising to such a level. Don't forget, in the eyes of the Lord, the widow's mite is just as valuable as the tycoon's millions. When Church leaders tell us during the General Conferences that "we can always do more", they are not belittling or second-guessing us, but instead are merely encouraging us to get the most out of our abilities. You don't have to do as much as Jack Williams to gain favor in the sight of the Lord; you merely have to do the best YOU can.

Don't forget, the Lord created a mortal planet that teems with beauty and grandeur. We are permitted to stop and smell the flowers once in a while.