Unlike other school-goers, 13 high school youth and eight adults from the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury spend six days in Maine for community service instead of spending the summer vacation sleeping late or going to the beach. The volunteers worked on the mission at the Eastward Housing Ministry. Some participants have been taking part in such services for a long time. While for others, this was the first time.
It was the second year that the group went to Farmington to share their talent with people, who were without assistance, labor and material. They were unable to make needed repairs and maintenance of their houses until MATE provided material to homeowners to carry required renovation work with the help of 13 high school youth and eight adults from the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury.
The group worked on several projects while they offered free services to poor people. They worked on siding the home of a family who had to rebuild after a fire. Other projects included, placing deck skirting around a trailer, building a railing around the deck, painting a house and cleaning out a basement and attic.
Every evening, volunteers prepared dinner together, shared stories and songs around a campfire, played games and prayed for each other. The group was supported by the members of their church who donated them cash, food, and supplies. In addition, Hammond Lumber of Farmington donated the group hat and T-shirts for their community service.
