by Emily Miller, Austin Texas Stake Communication Director
MANOR, Texas — Members and full-time missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints volunteered with the Manor Vaccine Project at Manor Senior High School this weekend. Free COVID vaccinations were distributed to anyone from the community age 16 or older.
The Manor Vaccine Project is a partnership between the City of Manor, Travis County, Manor ISD, and several community organizations such as the Manor COVID-19 Disaster Relief Task Force and the Manor Community Wellness Alliance. Their goal is to vaccinate people in rural, eastern Travis County, where residents do not have as many options to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
This weekend was the Manor Vaccine Project’s second free vaccination event. At the first event, which happened two weeks ago, a little more than 1,200 people were vaccinated. Additional vaccination events are planned for the future.
One of the full-time missionaries who volunteered was Elder Cade Pilling from Highland, Utah. He said, “The first time we volunteered with this group was a couple weeks ago. We helped register vaccine recipients on iPads, answered questions, and gave reassurance. Yesterday we did a lot of the same thing. It was a really cool opportunity to see the community come together; it was faith building and created a lot of hope.”
Elder Fabian Zarate Guzman from Salt Lake City, Utah, also volunteered. He said, “I’ve been in this area for almost six months. We haven’t had much success as far as baptisms, but we’ve had a lot of success in building the community. That’s one of the most amazing things I’ve seen on my mission. We’re not only here to help individuals receive the restored gospel, but also to help them through service.” Elder Guzman is a fluent Spanish speaker, which has been a big help as he has served in the community. He reflected, “I was able to help so many people in their own native language and connect with them heart-to-heart. It has boosted my faith.”
Raoi Tenamo, a Latter-day Saint member of the Elgin Ward in the Austin Texas Stake, was also among the volunteers at both vaccination events. She observed, “What a great way to see that our Church is really helping out in the community. There is such a sense of community and helping out here in Manor. It’s heartwarming to see how this community is coming together.” (PHOTOS/Margaret Carneiro)