Chattanooga Work Camp volunteers prepare to repair local homes. From left are Signal Mountain Church of Christ youth minister Kendall Harrison, Amanda Brazier, Red Bank Church of Christ youth minister Jason Brazier, Grace Bridge Church of Christ youth volunteer Michelle Rudolph and Clear Creek Church of Christ youth ministers Phil and Jana Cannon.
Photo by Katie WardChattanooga Work Camp, composed of area Church of Christ campuses, is sweeping the area to repair 30 local homes June 2-5.
“This is where it’s at,” said Signal Mountain Church of Christ youth minister Kendall Harrison of the importance of helping others in need of home repairs. “Signal Mountain youth don’t typically see needs, so this is a way for them to understand the needs out there and help.”
Clear Creek Church of Christ youth minister Phil Cannon said Chattanooga Work Camp repaired 30 houses in three days with 200 volunteers last year. The goal is to repair 30 more homes in the 2010 Chattanooga Work Camp. He said churches are accepting donations and supplies for the project.
“It is a ministry of the Churches of Christ in Chattanooga and surrounding areas,” said Cannon. “Local congregations get together to help people that would otherwise have no one to help them with minor repairs and outside improvements.”
Clear Creek Church of Christ, East Brainerd Church of Christ, Grace Bridge Church of Christ, Mountain Creek Church of Christ, Red Bank Church of Christ, Rossville Church of Christ and Signal Mountain Church of Christ are all assembling volunteer crew members to repair homes.
“We talk to Chattanooga Head Start, senior services, pastors of churches and social services to obtain names of people in need of home repairs,” said Cannon. “We have 43 homes on the list, so Clear Creek will repair more homes in the fall too.”
He said crews of 10 each will work to repair homes in Ooltewah, Apison, Harrison, downtown Chattanooga, Lupton City, Soddy-Daisy, Middle Valley and Signal Mountain. Crews will bleach, pressure wash and paint homes. Lowe’s in Hixson plans to donate paint.
Chattanooga Work Camp volunteers plan to meet daily at Clear Creek Church of Christ at 8 a.m. to go to sites. Each night after showering, the crews will return to view videos of the daily accomplishments.
“The last night we watch before and after shot videos,” said Red Bank Church of Christ youth minister Jason Brazier. “Each crew cheers when they see their finished product. It’s a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment.”
To learn how to help with Chattanooga Work Camp, call 877-6232.