Several teenagers and adults from Bethesda Evangelical Congregation Church, Schuylkill Haven, gave back to their community March 1 by volunteering time to spruce up the inside of The Community Mission in Pottsville.
As part of the famine effort, children ages 13 to 18 showed their community spirit by fasting for 30 hours, painting the chapel at The Community Mission, 825 Mahantongo St., organizing the food pantry and kitchen and moving four pews from the United Presbyterian Church, Pottsville, to the mission.
The four-hour event started at 9:30 a.m. and ended at 1:30 p.m.
Adults from the church also assisted with the efforts, though only some fasted.
The Community Mission was chosen this year because Bob Alonge, the mission's pastor, is involved in the community with varied efforts including homelessness, Bethesda Evangelical Congregation Church Associate Pastor Mark Brooks said.
"I met Bob because we all have a passion to help the homeless in Schuylkill County," Brooks said.
"I just enjoyed being able to help out," Sara Stoyer, 16, of Schuylkill Haven, a junior at Schuylkill Haven Area High School, said Wednesday.
Stoyer helped to paint the walls and the ceiling of the chapel and organize the food pantry.
She said this is not her first experience contributing to the betterment of the county but doing the outreach was a "great experience."
The teenagers also raised $1,150 for the mission to support the homeless effort, Brooks said.
The effort by the youth group to help in the community has been going on since 2003, Brooks said. About 25 to 30 are involved in the group of a regular basis. More signed up for the community effort but could not attend due to various reasons, he said.
Last year, groups went to The Hillside SPCA, Salvation Army Thrift Shop and other locations during the event.
In other years, they also helped out the elderly with chores and maintenance issues for their homes.
"We live in a world that is very self focused. By doing service work, we are helping other people," Brooks said.
Jeff Colarossi, pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, said the pews were taking up space. Not as many people go to the church as once did, he said. He added that he knows Alonge and wanted to help out.
The men who removed the pews that were affixed to the floor were very hardworking, Colarossi said Thursday.
"We've all been king of working together on this homeless project," he said about helping the homeless.
The pews will go into the chapel at the mission, Brooks said.
Alonge said Saturday he appreciated the help earlier this month.
He said The Community Mission is "an outreach community ministry. We are involved in feeding the hungry, connecting churches and sheltering the homeless," he said.
Church services are held there and will even be held outside when the weather conditions improve.
"We are a private residence here that we do our ministry here," he said.
The painting of the chapel was especially appreciated.
"It's hard to paint a big room," Alonge said.
With the addition of the pews from the United Presbyterian Church, now there are pews in the chapel, he said
Brooks said the youth group members enjoyed the event, and it is a good way to show support for the community.
"I think they learn there's a world bigger than themselves. Their efforts to help others is a blessing," he said.