FARMINGTON — The Mission at the Eastward volunteer teams continue to arrive and are doing their work in Franklin County. SugarWood Gallery will host an appreciation reception for them and local volunteer support groups from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, at 248 Broadway.

The public is invited to meet the volunteers and to bring a potluck hors d’oeuvre to share. The teams next week are from Doylestown, Pa. It will be a return trip for many of the workers.

The North Parish Housing Ministry (NPHM) is a ministry of the Mission at the Eastward and is an area of coverage served by the Fairbanks, New Portland and North New Portland churches. It has been in existence for about 35 years.

Volunteer mission teams from all over the northeast come to Western Maine during June, July and August to share their talents and caring with area homeowners, who, without assistance with labor and/or materials, would be unable to make needed repairs and maintenance.

Many of the volunteers take vacation time. Painting, roof repairs, porches, steps, ramps and interior and exterior repair are likely prospects for the teams. Wherever possible, they ask homeowners and families to participate in the work and its cost.

At times the mission can help with materials through grants and donations. The primary source of funding is from donations from the volunteers who do the work. This year, NPHM is working with 14 churches “from away” who are sending a team of volunteers over the course of the next nine weeks.

Ed Jesteadt has assumed the leadership role of coordinator formerly held by the Rev. Scott Planting. NPHM has two people who do all the preparatory work for the almost 80 requests for housing repairs received this year: Steve Brennan for the Greater Farmington area and Ken White for the New Portland area.

There are numerous local volunteers who perform many tasks to support the work teams during their stay.