During the month of July, volunteers completed service projects for homeowners in need throughout Manheim. The efforts were all part of the Compassion Project, a program of Love INC of Lancaster County, an organization with a mission to mobilize local churches to take action in the community.

"A lot of churches want to serve their community, but they aren't sure where to start," explained Katie Leaman, communications and donor development director for Love INC of Lancaster County. "We help them serve in a way that truly meets the needs of their community."

Throughout July, volunteers from Manheim churches completed a wide range of projects, Leaman said. "They've done yard work, helping people who can't keep up with mulching or weeding. They've done outdoor repair work on homes, replacing decking or installing ramps to make homes more accessible to people," she stated.

She noted that Love INC tries to match church volunteers with the specific needs of clients who contact the organization for help. "Depending on the skills of the church group, they might do electrical work or plumbing work," she said. "The church groups tell us how many volunteers they have and what sorts of work they're able to do, and we connect them with homeowners based on geographical location and the skills of the volunteers."

Leaman remarked that Love INC receives positive feedback every year from clients about the work volunteers have done. "Generally, we're serving lower-income people, including elderly people who want to stay in their homes but need some help with upkeep," she said. "We have also noticed an increase in single moms who need help."

The Compassion Project is held in seven school districts throughout Lancaster County, including Elizabethtown, Donegal, Manheim Township and Conestoga Valley. Love INC has been organizing the Compassion Project for more than 10 years, and the program has grown every year, Leaman said. "We help people year-round, but we do a one-time push in the summer," she said. "It's like a mission trip for church members, but it's done locally."

Within the seven school districts, 32 churches participated in Compassion Project activities this summer, with 250 volunteers in total. "Anyone from any church can participate," Leaman stated. "We currently have 23 different denominations that partner with us. We will work with and serve anybody."

She emphasized that although the Compassion Project occurs in July, Love INC works throughout the year to help people in need. "We are also open and looking for volunteers throughout the year," Leaman said. "We work to serve as a connector between the community and their local church. If we can't connect someone with help through a church, we'll try to refer them to another local service in the area. We have great relationships with social services in our area."

For more information on the Compassion Project or Love INC, call 717-735-7540 or visit https://loveinclancaster.org.