14th Annual Campus Renovations Week: 2026

My wife, Ruth and I, had been to Union Springs Academy in 2021 and 2022 and then life happened for a few years. But in July 2026, we made our long overdue trip back as part of Maranatha Volunteers International to join 30 others bringing much needed upgrades to the campus.

The group assembled from all over the United States, including regulars like Bill Boyd – Construction Superintendent; Raquel Natal Manso – Project Coordinator, and Malcolm Proctor – hardworking ever-present volunteer. Our common goal: to improve the students’ experience by performing necessary maintenance work and uplifting the look and feel of the campus. The volunteers spent a week vacuuming and cleaning carpets in the administration building, cleaning and repairing all the radiators in the boys’ dorm, painting girls’ dorm rooms, completely renovating the boys’ dorm kitchenette, taking down the old chimney for Sunset Hall, weeding and landscaping the lawns, and cleaning out multiple on-site buildings.

Maranatha volunteers are dedicated professionals who work hard, determined to get projects done as efficiently as possible. The staff of USA were so grateful for the many hours these volunteers donated. They truly saved the school thousands of dollars in labor.

The camaraderie of the team was sensed by all, and each one knew they were working for a higher purpose. Darrin, Janica and their staff provided appropriate feedback as needed and always ensured we volunteers felt welcomed. We were kept hydrated during sweltering days and “field trips” for ice cream and pleasant hikes at local waterfalls or visits to other attractions, arranged after long days of hard work. We all left feeling very accomplished with the projects completed, knowing we’d always be welcomed back.

Maranatha Volunteers International, a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist church, mobilizes volunteers to build and renovate churches, schools, water wells and other urgently needed structures around the world. Since 1969, Maranatha has constructed more than 14,000 structures and more than 3,000 water wells in nearly 90 countries. USA has proudly partnered with them since 1985 when the senior class went on a mission trip to Mexico and many additional overseas mission trips have taken place since then.

For the past 10 years, Maranatha has seen USA as a mission field coming to our campus in the heart of New York State to help with needed renovations and upgrades. These “stateside” mission projects attract people from all over the world, especially those who cannot travel internationally. This partnership, which transforms the campus every year, has truly blessed both the academy and the volunteers who share the experience together. –Puneet Varma, Maranatha Volunteer