GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) -- Eighteen church groups across five states are making a Green Bay area middle school their new home for the week, as they prepare to help people in need of a little home repair.
Alayna Connolly is no stranger to volunteering in communities across the U.S.
“Last year, I ran camps in Mescalero, New Mexico, East Moline, Illinois and Cannon Falls, Minnesota and I've also been to camps in New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan; I've been all over.”
This mission trip brings her to the greater Green Bay area, where she and 340 youth volunteers will call bay view middle school their home for the week.
"The kids will be working at roughly 50 different home sites in and around Green Bay, a lot of sites in Howard-Suamico - some to the west, a lot in Green Bay,” said Scott Schoeneman, director of operations at NeighborWorks Green Bay.
Others, like Connolly who have been on a mission trip before, know how giving back to a community makes them feel.
"It just makes me feel good, I guess, I feel more connected to God, I just like helping people out,” said Gunnar Allyn, a youth volunteer.
“I just like feeling good after words and knowing that I'm benefiting someone other than myself,” said Holly Pedigo, another youth volunteer.
This is the second time Group Mission Trips haa been to the area to help out the community.
On Monday, the kids will be up bright and early to get to work on homes for families who could use a little extra help.
"Basically, the home sites will be a lot of painting, so we're hoping for some good weather. A lot of interior painting, some wheelchair construction, porch and step replacement and some other miscellaneous cleanup work that the resident might want to have happen,” said Schoeneman.
While the work the kids do is completely free to the homeowner, the kids are gaining a valuable experience.
“Just see them come in at the beginning of the week and how different they are at the end of the week. How much they've grown, spiritually and having them really realize just how blessed they are,” said Connolly.