A sprinkling of rain Saturday morning did not keep 150 volunteers from their fourth day of service as part of the annual Mission Trip Birdsboro & Beyond.
The outreach program offers free home repairs, maintenance, yard work and fellowship to area residents in need, many of whom are elderly, disabled or financially struggling, said Stuart Wells, coordinator of the project.
Now in its 12th year, the faith-based effort expresses the spirit of compassion and mutual support at the heart of Christian spirituality, Wells said.
The mission began in 2014 when members of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Birdsboro, realized they could serve the local community and did not have to travel abroad to improve the lives of others.
Two years ago, the effort spun off as its own nonprofit, nondenominational organization, Wells said.
“We’re multidenominational, but you don’t have to go to a church to volunteer,” he said. “The principles of living by the teachings of Christ and the directive to love your neighbor and to serve others, these things are just solid, good reasoning and a good way to live your life.”
From Wednesday through Saturday, 152 volunteers worked on 50 projects at no cost to homeowners, providing essential repairs that improved safety, accessibility and quality of life.
On Sunday they will hold a closing service and celebration.
‘A place for everybody’
Lisa Mullen was part of the 10-person crew assigned to a home in Valley View Mobile Home Park, Amity Township.
The team’s tasks included installing new stairs and a railing at the front door, adding a railing at the back steps and fixing a gate.
The rain interfered with plans to water seal the deck, Mullen said, but the team plans to return to finish that job.
A member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Amity Township, Mullen first volunteered with the mission five years ago. She doesn’t consider herself particularly handy with home repairs but said the on-the site team leaders have the skills to guide the other volunteers and keep them safe on the job.
Mark Hile, leader of the crew at the mobile home site, said having home-improvement skills is helpful but not necessary.
“We’ve had folks who are almost at the point of not knowing which end of the broom goes on the ground to those who are at Norm Abram’s level,” he said, referring to the master carpenter and TV personality. “There is absolutely a place for everybody.”
Gabriella DiScala, 17, of Exeter Township was one of three youth volunteers working under Hile’s direction Saturday.
The home-schooled student said she was recruited last year through the youth group at her church, Abundant Life, Birdsboro.
“Sometimes, we can’t just go out and hop on a plane to help out in other places of the world,” she said. “But we can help out wherever we can, right here in our own community.”
Volunteering with the mission is not just a way to help others, she said. It is a chance to network and socialize with her peers and others while improving her home-maintenance skills.
In addition to providing physical labor, volunteers offered prayer, encouragement and connection to local resources, meeting both practical and spiritual needs, Wells said.
Indoor project
A lesser-known aspect of the mission’s work is its yearly indoor project, he said.
For those volunteers unable to perform the more physically taxing outdoor labor, it is a chance to contribute as well.
Indoor volunteers stuffed bags with toiletries, laundry detergent, socks, school supplies and other essentials for the Daniel Boone School District’s Caring Closets.
Located in the middle and high school buildings, the closets are stocked with nonperishable food and personal care items to help students in need.
Participating churches
Volunteers from the following churches and others participated this year:
• Abundant Life Church, Birdsboro
• Church of Nazarene, Birdsboro
• New First Baptist Church, Birdsboro
• St. John (Hill) Reformed Church, Pike Township
• St. Mark Lutheran Church, Birdsboro
• St. Paul Lutheran Church, Amity Township
• Threefold Blessings, Amity Township
For more information, visit www.missiontripbirdsboro.org/.
Source: Berkshire mont
Be First to Comment