More Backyard Mission Trip helpers sought

More volunteers are needed for this year's Backyard Mission Trip (BMT), scheduled for Aug. 1. At this time, the volunteer base is around 100, said volunteer coordinator Cheryl Gephart. Meanwhile, there are 160 projects registered, according to Lee Ann Ireland, who serves on the steering committee. "We are encouraging people to go to the website and register to volunteer" prior to Aug. 1 so they can be assigned to a project, Gephart said. The service event — which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2020 — brings together hundreds of volunteers to help people in need throughout the community with small property improvement and cleanup projects. The annual event has always been held on the fourth Saturday of April, until this year. In response to Gov. Mike DeWine's stay-at-home orders, the day was rescheduled. Information and sign-ups are available at www.findlaybmt.com or call 419-379-4903. Once volunteers establish an account, they will be able to select the areas they're interested in helping with such as yard work, painting, minor home repairs, food donations, hospitality and prayer teams. Gephart said people who have specific talents and experience are also needed. For instance, if someone knows how to build a deck or install a door, they should include that information when they register, she said. "So if someone has some special talent and experience, they need to note that. Definitely we would like for them to use it that day, then we could match them up with a job accordingly," she said. Gephart said there is also a need for more team leaders. Anyone can be a team leader which should be noted at registration. "The last four to five years, I was a team leader," she said. "My teams would do a lot of window washing, yard work, weed pulling, cleaning, those kinds of things." She explained that a team leader picks and then scopes the jobs. "So they could call the person, to find out more particulars about the job. You want windows washed, is that inside and out? You want mulching put down, how much mulching is it?" she said. The team leader will also request the number of people they think will be needed to complete the jobs. Gephart added that meetings are being held held now until the week of the event to provide support and help team leaders through the process. With COVID-19, the group is taking special measures this year, she added. Masks are required for volunteers. And if they are working inside a house, social distancing is requested. "We're working with the health department to make sure we're following all the protocol we need to follow," she said. Gephart said that Becky Greeno, who is the BMT's project coordinator, has been in contact with people who have requested jobs. "And she basically overall got a good response from everybody saying they were still fine with people coming in their house. They were OK with wanting to still have the job done," said Gephart. She noted that requests for projects can still be submitted, but there is no guarantee that volunteers can get to them at this time. However, the team is trying to transition the Backyard Mission Trip into a yearlong, ongoing volunteer opportunity for community members to help and serve others, she said. Greeno said that they get calls from churches and groups throughout the year looking for jobs to do, and she maintains a running list. The Aug. 1 kickoff is scheduled to be held at The Cube with registration and breakfast at 7 a.m., worship at 7:40 a.m., and work site send-off at 8 a.m. Wolf: 419-427-8419 jeanniewolf@thecourier.com