Helping Out ‘One Family at a Time’
Local church to hold annual event to assist community members
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LOCK HAVEN -- Love your neighbor. It seems simple, but how do you do that in real life?
If you are free the week of June 24 to 28, you could easily help out your neighbors "One Family at a Time."
Covenant United Methodist Church at 44 W. Main St., Lock Haven, strives to be a good neighbor, so for the second year in a row, the church is organizing the One Family at a Time hometown mission project.
This project is a great way for families to show their teens what it means to be a contributing member of the community. And it's perfect for service clubs and youth organizations that want to make a difference. The planning and logistics are handled for you, and lunch is provided.
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up now.
And anyone anywhere in Clinton County in need of help is encouraged to request small home repairs or yard work, power washing, cleaning, even fence painting.
Requests will be taken from the greater Lock Haven area, from Renovo, from Sugar Valley, from any neighborhood in the county.
Nonprofits and local businesses that need some gentle sprucing up of their storefronts are also invited to apply.
Organizers will visit and look over each request, then send out volunteers Monday through Friday, June 24 to 28.
Project requests could be accepted until as late as Friday, June 21, as long as there are any openings left.
In 2023, more than 60 people turned out and were able to help 14 families, accomplishing projects that included demolishing and removing a garage. A visiting youth group from Virginia was a big help, but these young people are not available this year.
This year, One Family at a Time will rely solely on local volunteers, with any sort of skill set from dusting and weed pulling to construction.
"If you want to be a part of it, we will find something you can help with," Pastor Justin Frear said.
Sherry Wilson, who is spearheading the project, reports that work requests are already coming in. If you have a request, it's best to it as soon as possible.
"I'd love to have more projects to do than we already have," Wilson said. "We also have a good core group of volunteers, but we sure could use more."
Taking part in a hands-on opportunity like this can make your whole summer. It can lead to lasting friendships and give you a new perspective on your hometown.
"Oftentimes churches will go on mission trips to places where help is clearly needed," Wilson said. "We think there are a lot of people locally who need help, who are elderly or can't do the things that need doing in their homes. That's why we're organizing One Family at a Time."
To volunteer, request help, or ask questions, call 570-748-6481 and leave a message, or send an email to covenantumc@susumc.org.