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Everyone across the globe is at some time and some place a stranger or a foreigner, so it is important to expand social circles and build bridges between communities to make all feel welcome, a Mormon apostle said Thursday evening.

"We are all brothers and sisters," Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the LDS Church's governing First Presidency, told a crowd of about 400 people at the Rail Event Center in west Salt Lake City for the annual fundraiser for the Inclusion Center for Community and Justice.

"We are proud of being part of this great organization," said Uchtdorf, speaking for himself and on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "But actions speak louder than words."

In a surprise gesture, the charismatic German pulled a $10,000 check from his pocket as the church's donation to the center.

Uchtdorf was one of three honored by the center for their humanitarian efforts.

"This award is not just for the work we are doing right now but what we have been doing for decades," said Gina Cornia, head of Utahns Against Hunger, who accepted the honor on behalf of her organization. "Our work is all about social justice — giving everyone equal access to food."

The third honoree, Ronald Coleman, has been teaching history at the University of Utah for 42 years and has been a significant voice in knocking down barriers.

Coleman served on the center's board from 1991 to 1997, when it was known as the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

He was honored to work for inclusion, said the soft-spoken professor and longtime proponent of civil rights. "Everyone deserves a place at the table."