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At least 48 Brazos Valley residents in need of a helping hand will get one later this month when more than 100 volunteers descend on the area.
So far on the to-do list: yard work, creating access routes for the handicap, lots of painting and even new ceilings will be put in by U.M. Army, which stands for United Methodist Action Reach-out Mission by Youth.
"There have been times I've worked on projects and you build a wheelchair ramp and you might not think anything about it," said Logan Havel, a volunteer with the organization. "But then you get a chance to talk to the client and find out they haven't left their house in a year and a half."
Havel, a senior engineering technology major at Texas A&M, participated in U.M. Army throughout his high school years and now serves as a college volunteer.
"These young people are here to serve," said Bobby Griffin, sites coordinator. "It lights them up to be able to help these people. Don't be afraid to ask us for help, if it's something we cannot accomplish, we'll let you know."
The organization has plenty of volunteers from churches as far away as Tyler. They will be working mainly in Bryan, but also in College Station and Navasota July 19-25.
Bobby Griffin said most of the projects are related to construction, but potential liability puts limitations on what the volunteers can do. The students aren't allowed to do electrical work, plumbing or roofing.
U.M. Army started in 1979 when three Houston-area churches held the first work camp in Athens, according to the organization's Web site. More than 4,000 now participate nationwide and 1,700-plus work sites will be completed this summer.
Volunteers from five different churches comprise the 111-member crew coming to the Brazos Valley where lodging has been set up for them at the A&M United Methodist Church.
Volunteers must have completed at least one year of high school and pay $200 to participate in the weeklong program. The money goes to fund the projects, as well as to pay for the cost of food during the week.
Griffin's wife, Kelli, one of the coordinators, said Wal-Mart gift cards are the best way to help them complete their mission.
"We can get more supplies with that," she said, adding that they'd welcome a few meals, as well.
Jeff Reinhart, director of the upcoming camp, said they're appreciative of any support the community is willing to give.
"If there's anyone who wants to provide assistance for us through donations, lumber, food, or anything like that, we would welcome that, too. All donations help because that's just more of our budget we can use to get even more sites done."
Havel said the week sometimes seems to drag on, but the experience always proves to be worth it -- even in the hot Texas summer sun.
"You go on less and less sleep as the week progresses, but in the morning it's always exciting to get up and do it again, even though you're so tired," he said. "As the week goes on you're getting closer and closer to the finish line and you can see everything coming together. It's an exhausting experience, but it's a rewarding one."
For information or to donate, call 281-389-5895.
