Whew! June is one of the busiest times of the year for our volunteers and staff. Why? It's the United Methodist Annual Conference season and we have the amazing opportunity to go out and represent the ministry of Midwest Mission and receive the gifts of your donations. 

This year, Midwest Mission was represented at nine Annual Conferences, and held collections at the Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, West Ohio, East Ohio, Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, and Illinois Great Rivers conferences.

The collected items are still being weighed and counted, but over 30,000 lbs of donations have been inventoried so far! And, we are only half way through the trucks and trailers that came back from the conferences. The items we received are such a blessing to this ministry. 

From Personal Dignity Kits and Home Care Kits, to wheelchairs and sewing machines, we were overwhelmed (in the best way!) with how much was donated. 

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who donated items, money, or time to make these collections such a success. We are already looking forward to next year!

Through exhibit tables and time on stages, we got the word out about Midwest Mission. We want to welcome more people into our family, engage more people in service opportunities, and make a greater impact around the world and around the corner. These times to share are vital in growing this ministry. 

There were a few things we really wanted people to know, and you can share too!

• We are opening a new location in Jefferson, IA that will host volunteer teams. Grand opening is tomorrow, June 17 10am-2pm.
• Serving with others is a way to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus, and to better connect in fellowship with those who do know Jesus. There are three main ways to get involved with Midwest Mission:

1. Volunteer at Midwest Mission (Illinois or Iowa) — midwestmission.org/at-midwestmission OR midwestmission.org/iowa
2. Host an Off-Site Event (Rice Meal Pack, Student Kit Assembly, or Personal Dignity Kit Assembly) — midwestmission.org/off-site
3. Serve from Home (Make Handmade Items, Assemble Kits, or Collect and Donate) — midwestmission.org/at-home

The Annual Conference season is not just a time to collect items or share about Midwest Mission with others, but also to reconnect with our volunteers and supporters from all over the country. Our staff was overjoyed to spend time with so many of our loved volunteers, and to hear stories of how serving and supporting Midwest Mission has impacted their life. We love all of our volunteers, and are always thankful for opportunities to see you! Hearing your stories is an encouragement and a beautiful representation of how God’s Kingdom is grown through relationships and serving together.

We talked to Mary in Michigan. Before the Michigan Annual Conference began, Mary prayed and prayed that she could find someone to take her beloved treadle machine. Treadle sewing machines generally hold a lot of cherished memories and moments. Years of sewing, teaching, and learning attaches an invaluable price to a family's possession. Many times, these machines are passed down through generations, until there isn’t a need for it anymore. 

As the Michigan Annual Conference approached, Mary was ready to give her treadle away, but she wanted it to go to someone who would use it, and whose life would be changed by it. 

At the exhibit booth, Chantel Corrie, Executive Director, shared with Mary about Midwest Mission’s micro business area and how valuable these machines are to the people who receive them. People are able to make a living using sewing machines, and it completely transforms their lives. 

Mary was beyond excited to learn that her prayers were answered, and God had placed her at the right place at the right time, to connect with us about where her precious treadle machine could go and the life-changing difference it could make.

Thank you, Mary, for sharing this with us, and for listening to God’s prompting! Your treadle machine will be of great value to someone around the world. 

If you have a treadle sewing machine you would like to donate, go to midwestmission.org/collect-donate to learn more.

Midwest Mission Weekly Projects

Work of the Mission Volunteers

Projects completed

• 18 Desks
• 21 Bikes
• 7 Bed Pack
• 20 Birthing Kits
• 50 Feminine Hygiene Kits
• 10 Layette Kits
• 1960 Personal Dignity Kits
• 60 Student Kits
• 34 Tornado Kits
• 600 Rice Meals - Bethany UMC, Middletown, OH

Other work done

• Bikes - repaired
• Desks - parts prepared, built, polyurethaned
• Sewing Machines - repaired
• Sewing
• Cleaning
• Sorting donations from Annual Conferences
• Sorting outfits
• Counting items into inventory

Disbursements

• CICIM, Decatur, IL: 100 Personal Dignity Kits, redirect furniture Value: $3,600.00
• Northcott Children's Home, Milwaukee, WI: 100 Personal Dignity Kits, 100 Student Kits Value: $3,200.00

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.

Donna Downen

Tolono, IL

Karen Chumbley

Savoy, Illinois

Deb and Howard Orndorff

Nebraska City, Nebraska

Chuck and Karen Porter

Brighton, Illinois

Richmond UMC

Whitewater, WI

First UMC

Nebraska City, NE

Waverly First UMC

Waverly, IL

Grace UMC

Jacksonville, IL

Simonson Group

Delavan, IL

Skyler Moyer

Springfield, IL

Centennial UMC Youth

Roseville, MN

SPARC

Springfield, IL

Flora UMC

Flora, IL

Not pictured:

Springfield First UMC Sewing Group, Springfield, IL