Chattanooga Work Camp to assist homeowners, nonprofits June 2-4

From left are Soddy-Daisy Mayor Jim Adams, Hixson Lowe's assistant store manager Tom Bryant, Clear Creek Church of Christ servant leadership minister Phil Cannon, Jana Cannon, Signal Mountain Church of Christ youth and family minister Kendall Harrison and Soddy-Daisy Commissioners Geno Shipley and Rick Nunley. The volunteers are donating time, money and paint to the Chattanooga Work Camp project to work on renovations at 36 Chattanooga area homes and nonprofits. Photo by Katie Ward

Two hundred and twenty volunteers will fan out to assist homeowners and nonprofits in 36 sites in Soddy-Daisy, Hixson, Red Bank, Signal Mountain, Chattanooga and Ringgold during the 2011 Chattanooga Work Camp June 2-4.

The Lowe's store in Hixson, in conjunction with Valspar, is donating 30 gallons of exterior paint and stain toward the project.

"We have 17 volunteer crews made up of 10 teenagers and two adults each," said Clear Creek Church of Christ servant leadership minister Phil Cannon, who leads the CWC effort. "We will do disaster relief with tree work, brush cleanup and painting."

Cannon said Signal Mountain Church of Christ, Red Bank Church of Christ, Grace Bridge Church of Christ, East Brainerd Church of Christ and Rossville Church of Christ are sending volunteers to work with CCCOC on the sites.

"This is the volunteer state so we jump in when needed," said Cannon. "We never have enough sites."

Cannon said people can call Clear Creek Church of Christ to put their name on a list. The church assists people year-round.

"It's just awesome," Signal Mountain COC youth and family minister Kendall Harrison said of the work camp. "It allows us to see the bigger picture of the needs out there."

Cannon said there is no greater feeling than to help someone else in need.

"I hope it becomes a lifestyle for the kids," he said. "I want [volunteer spirit] to continue and not just be a onetime event."

Soddy-Daisy Commissioners Geno Shipley and Rick Nunley and Mayor Jim Adams say they enjoy working with Chattanooga Work Camp.

"It's my third year to be involved," said Shiple. "It's been special for our community. I can't say enough about what these people have done for Soddy-Daisy."

Cannon said the Chattanooga Work Camp is all about "communities helping communities."

"A lot of people we assist are elderly and disabled," he said. "A lot of times they don't have family to help them."

• To learn more about Chattanooga Work Camp, call Clear Creek Church of Christ at 877-6232.