Group Of Teens Donate Part Of Holiday Weekend To Help N.J. Sandy Victims

UNION BEACH, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- While most of us were in the midst of enjoying a long holiday weekend on Friday, one group of teens was working overtime -- and for no pay at all.

They journeyed to New Jersey to help a family left homeless by Hurricane Sandy.

There they were -- sawing, painting and hammering.

"It's good to help people and know you are making an impact on someone's life," one volunteer said.

More than 20 teenagers from Maryland were spending their Fourth of July weekend helping rebuild a home damaged during Sandy.

"It is just overwhelming the love that all these people have shown us," emotional homeowner Paul Keeran said.

It is the kind of love that brings tears to the eyes of Keeran. He and his wife were forced out of their house when the hurricane hit.

"There isn't enough adjectives in the world. I love them all," Paul Keeran said.

"I don't know what to say. These kids are miracle workers. We could have never gotten anything done, what they've done. They've just been unbelievable," Diedre Keeran added.

The Keerans have been living in the basement of their son's home, and said they are grateful to a Christian group call Mission Discovery that helped bring these teenage volunteers to their flood-ravaged community.

"We only have the summer off as high schoolers. There is no other time of the year for us to do this," volunteer Morgan Benner said.

"We just wanted to come back and show them they are not alone and show that people do care about them," 16-year-old volunteer Natalie Romine added.

"It is hard to say goodbye to all of them. They have all been fantastic," Diedre Keeran added.

As the teenagers leave, hundreds of others volunteers were expected to help out throughout the summer.

Mission Discovery is based in Nashville, Tenn., but it's partnering with local churches to help Hurricane Sandy victims.

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