Local Mendham Church Prepares For Annual Mission Trip

MENDHAM, NJ — More than 50 teens and 22 chaperones from Saint Joseph Church in Mendham will travel to Paintsville, Kentucky, this summer as part of the parish’s annual Teen Appalachia Mission Trip.

From June 19 to June 25, the teens will be collaborating with the Good Neighbors organization to assist local working families with much-needed home improvements. “This trip allows our parish teens to foster relationships and grow spiritually in our mission to care for others," said St. Joseph Church Youth Minister Mark Tosso. "This helps develop a feeling of community within our parish.”

Good Neighbors, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit charity that assists people in need by repairing homes, adding needed additions, and meeting other needs. In exchange, those who receive assistance must go through financial training to learn how to budget and save and those who receive assistance frequently return the favor by helping others in their community.

Last summer, the teens worked on job sites that included roof and foundation repair, deck construction, window replacement and general repairs in the aftermath of severe flooding in the area.

The Appalachia-bound teens hosted a pasta dinner event on May 15, to raise funds for their trip. The annual fundraiser was held in the parking lot of St. Joe's. Benito's Trattoria in Chester, where over 200 guests were served pasta and bread made to order. Mendham Creamery supplied ice cream desserts for everyone.

Following the dinner, all attendees could participate in crafts and games provided by the church.

"The event was a huge success and money raised will help pay travel expenses for the volunteers as well as building supplies for their home projects," said Lynne Connor, an event organizer.