Volunteers of all ages and skill levels worked side by side this summer during Mission Trip Birdsboro & Beyond (MTBB), an annual effort that offers free home repairs to residents in need, including those who are elderly, are disabled or have financial struggles.

Now in its 12th year, MTBB sent 152 volunteers out to work on 50 projects in the community from July 16 to 19. This year's volunteers wore bright orange T-shirts, which featured the equation "1 Mind Plus 1 Voice (equals) 2 Glorify God," based on the Bible verse Romans 15:6. Each work site also included a sign that stated, "God's Hands at Work."

Among the projects were rebuilding a rotting deck and staining it, as well as yard work, including mulching and weeding. All services were provided at no cost. In addition, volunteers prayed and interacted with the homeowners.

Participating as volunteers for the second year were local homeschool students Gabriella Discala and Caleb Sotomayor, who were helping site leader Mark Hile. "It's so much fun working with them and teaching them," said Hile. "It's about life skills. Someday they will have their own house, and they will remember doing this."

"You learn a lot by working with others," added volunteer George Sweeton, who helped build an outdoor set of stairs and worked on a deck repair along with his son, Jonathan Sweeton.

Local churches assisted during the multi-day project by providing meals for volunteers. Immaculate Conception Church in Douglassville hosted MTBB's closing celebration on July 20.

Local businesses donated mulch, lumber and other materials, as well as snacks for the workers. MTBB maintains storage sheds at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Birdsboro, where volunteers gathered each morning to begin their workday.

According to Stuart Wells, MTBB board member, a lesser-known aspect of MTBB is that each year there is also an indoor mission project to address community needs. The indoor project is designed to provide a volunteer opportunity in the event of inclement weather or for those who would like an alternative to working out of doors in the summer heat.

This year, the indoor mission project was filling bags of supplies, including toiletries, laundry detergent, new socks, school supplies and other essentials, for Daniel Boone School Area District's Caring Closet.

"The school district has Caring Closets located in each of its middle and high school buildings to support students in need," explained Wells. "These closets are a valuable resource that are stocked with nonperishable food and personal care items. School counselors are available to help economically disadvantaged students access what they need to be able to succeed in school."

Typically, the high school closet is open on the last Monday of every month from 4 to 6 p.m. at Door 10 of Daniel Boone Area High School, 501 Chestnut St., Birdsboro. During the summer months, fresh vegetables harvested from the gardens at the elementary schools are available for families each week.

For more information about the Caring Closet, to donate or to receive help,  contact Ashley Griffith, district wellness coordinator, at ashley.griffith@dboone.org or contact Hopewell Love Community Services at St. Mark's Lutheran Church at 610-582-8167 or hopewelllovecs@gmail.com.

More information about MTBB is available at www.missiontripbirdsboro.org and http://www.facebook.com/MissionTripBirdsboro.