CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
High school students and other volunteers are giving up a week of their summer to spend time sprucing up local neighborhoods, in the name of God.
It's part of a program called the Sea City Work Camp, which started up in 1993 in an effort to show Christian love to the community and to help those in need.
On Wednesday, a crew of teens worked on a home on Blundell Dr., which is near Ayers and Gollihar. The teens were busy replacing the roof of a modest home, and giving it a fresh coat of paint.
"It's important to reach out to your community and help out," said Nina Cawthon, a 17-year old from San Antonio.
The kids began the project Monday and hope to finish by Friday.
"We are all working really hard, working as a team, and that's what's important," 16-year old Isaac Combs said, also from San Antonio. "If we work as a team, and we work as a unit, then we can get it done. We will get it done."
"Some of them live alone, some are widowed, some of them have Alzheimer's," said 15-year old Grace Anne Polisck, a student at Calallen High School. "It really affects your heart, and it really makes you think about giving back to the community."
Students actually pay out of their own pocket to take part in this uplifting experience.
Project foreman Morgan Cole, who is from Grace United Methodist Church in Calallen, says participants pray with the homeowner every morning and every night. The homeowner benefiting from this project says she is blessed by their generosity.
"I believe this is a blessing, and I am touched. Very touched," homeowner Gloria Vargas said. "I thank the Lord for it. I am very blessed."
To show her thanks, Vargas bought the crew lunch, a show of appreciation for students who need nothing more than a "thank you" as motivation.
The Sea City Work Camp completes about ten home-improvement projects each summer. Homeowners who would like to see if they qualify for the free help can visit their Web site to download an application, or pick up the phone and give them a call.
Those interested in volunteering for the Program can also give them a call.
WEB: www.seacityworkcamp.com
PHONE: 361-946-9675
