Newtown Ecumenical Workcamp Servants (NEWS) has safely returned from its 2024 service trip, having spent a week in the Gulf Coast city of Biloxi, Mississippi.

NEWS this year had 31 campers and nine chaperones travel to Biloxi, where they again worked with Back Bay Mission to coordinate projects. The trip was June 29-July 7.

The group worked on two homes, primarily doing carpentry work, re-siding, and painting each home. The campers also spent a day at Back Bay Mission, working at the food pantry stocking shelves there; Loaves and Fishes, preparing meals and serving breakfast and lunch; and Micah Day Center, assisting the unsheltered with many services that were offered including showers, job hunting and social services.

It was, according to organizers, a very impactful trip for all.

There was also time to have some fun. NEWS enjoyed a fireworks show at a marina on July 4, dined at The Shed BBQ one night, and spent time in New Orleans on their way back to Newtown.

NEWS also did something new this year. The group welcomed van sponsors, hosting magnets with company names on the work vans. Rob Rozz Plumbing, House to Home Builders, CompIntelligence, Between2Ears, Total Pool and Spa, Tim Conlan Company, Morganti Group, Stockwell Agency, and The Station Dance Studio all responded to the offer to be part of the group’s sponsorship this summer.