On Thursday, August 3, Midwest Mission sent a shipment to Guatemala.

This shipment was particularly exciting, because it included 180 school desks. These desks are made at Midwest Mission using bleacher wood that has been donated from schools or churches that are replacing their old bleachers. We are able to take the wood and repurpose it for those in need. 

In developing countries, many schools do not have desks for children to sit at and do their work. Many kids sit on the ground, or use a table that is not meant for school work. Having a good, purposeful surface for school work creates a conducive learning environment, empowering these students to create a better future for themselves.

If you know a school or church that is replacing their wooden bleachers, please reach out to our Operations Manager, Brad Walton, at brad@midwestmission.org

This shipment also included:

• 20 Layette Kits
• 490 Birthing Kits
• 2,240 Student Kits
• 6 treadle sewing machines
• 110 Little Boy Outfits
• 336 Little Girl Outfits
• 17 bikes
• 30 hospital mattresses
• Other handmade items
• Tools
• Medical supplies

Weight: 23,865 lbs

Value: $190,064.00

This summer, Hannah Curtis worked at our Iowa location. She played a vital part in getting our new location up and going in Iowa!

She worked in the Iowa gift shop, trained volunteers, and took on different projects.

Hannah also was key to making our new loom project a success.

Unfortunately, this is her last week working with us. As she heads back to college, pray blessings on her.

We will surely miss her, but look forward to seeing her around the Iowa location!

ALSO NEEDED: Diaper Cream - 2 oz. - it must be cream, not ointment

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Work Done

• Desks built and polyurethaned
• 13 Bikes repaired
• Sewing machines repaired

• Items counted into inventory
• Painting
• Sorted linens
• Sorted medical supplies
• Sorted outfits
• Cut sheeting for Birthing Kit

• 8 Treadle Sewing Machines
• 10 Birthing Kits
• 50 Personal Dignity Kits
• 51 Tornado Kits
• 660 Student Kits

Offsite Packs

• 1208 Rice Meals - Port Byron UMC, Hudson, IL
• 400 Personal Dignity Kits - St Matthew UMC, Belleville, IL
• 100 Student Kits - Orion UMC, Orion, IL

Disbursements

• Midwest Food Bank, Normal, IL : Great Value Duster Refills Case of 4 12- packs; twin hospital bed mattress Value: $76,100.00
• Lakeside Christian Church, Springfield, IL: bike Value: $90.00
• CICIM, Decatur, IL: Assorted towels, cloths, sheets, pillows, hospital blankets Value: $2,496.00
• Bidwell Food Pantry, Des Moines, IA: Redirected hygiene items Value: $606.00

Midwest Mission is able to do this work because of your generous donations and willingness to volunteer. Thank you!



Ready to Get Involved?

Volunteer at Midwest Mission

Dates are available in 2023, 2024, and 2025

Need a Saturday option for team volunteering

or assistance in booking? Contact Pat Wright at pat@midwestmission.org or 217-697-4063

Click below to check calendar openings and to reserve your spots.

Volunteer Reservation Calendar



2025 Volunteer Calendar is now open for dorm reservations!

Go to our Reservation Calendar, log in, reserve your rooms, and submit payment for your Non-refundable Reservation Fee via credit card or electronic check. We will email you the Access Code to reserve Volunteer Shifts for your team. You must complete this step for your team to volunteer at Midwest Mission.

For local teams and individuals: Volunteer Shifts will only be available 3 months ahead of time. Beginning October 1, 2023 you will be able to reserve Volunteer Shifts for January of 2024.

Thank you for your patience as we try to improve the reservation experience for both local teams and those staying in the dorm.

Rus and Tony Debonis

Waterloo, Iowa

Athens UMC

Athens, IL

Willmar UMC

Willmar, MN

Community Fellowship

Jamestown, IN

Lighthouse

Rochester, IL

Waverly First UMC

Waverly, IL

Winchester UMC

Winchester, IL

Christy + Friends

Springfield, IL

Sabrina Barlow, Noah Barlow

Bloomington, IL

Douglas Avenue UMC

Springfield, IL

Monticello UMC

Monticello, IL

Evangelical UMC

Bonfield, IL

Grace UMC

Jacksonville, IL

Cynthia and Jeff Nelson

Sioux Falls, SD

Clarence Harms

Brillion, WI

Not Pictured: SPARC Summer Program, Springfield, IL