Sarah Stephan paused in her painting atop the front entrance to 311 W. Main Street, Morrison, IL, on Thursday, June 19, 2014. She and her Unite Work Camp co-workers were nearly finished painting this home for the day. They will work from Tuesday, June 17, through Saturday, June 21. The Cook residence is for sale, so fresh paint will be an assest.
At the end of 2013, four youth pastors developed this summer service concept. Those four churches are represented, with three of the original pastors involved in the 2014 project:
- “awesome crew leader” Ben Johnson, Open Bible Fellowship Church, 11429 Ward Road, Morrison
- John Kershner, Gateway Faith Fellowship Church, 701 11th Avenue, Fulton, IL
- Steve VanWyhe, Second Reformed Church, 703 14th Avenue, Fulton
- First United Methodist Church, 621 S. 3rd Street, Clinton, IA.
Owners complete an application for outside painting and choose the house colors. Sherwin-Williams Company and Ace Hardware in Clinton furnish the paint; other businesses support the effort, stated Johnson. Six teams of workers spend four days per house, beautifying about six properties where owners cannot, due to physical or financial reasons. The young people pay a fee to participate; they shower and sleep in a local church. Approximately 50 youth are involved in the worthy work.
Other members of Unite Work Camp working in Morrison are Mike Ankrom, Spencer Harvilla, Ben Johnson, Faith Linville, Lasha Lobo, Rachel Olderwald, Collin Puckett, Dani Speakman, and Ashley Summerour. These junior and senior high students leave “camp central” in Fulton at 8:30 a.m. and work from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m.
To conclude their efforts, on Saturday, June 21, a block party was held at the Bridge Youth Center, Fulton, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Under a tent, there was a youth worship service with a band, games, inflatables, face painting, a dunk tank, and food.
Mr. Cook, the homeowner, makes wood handcrafts. He presented each student with an item in appreciation of their work. Summerour chose the orange monkey and will give it to her younger brother, who is almost seven.
“He is a little monkey who won’t stay off me!” she explained.
For more information and “before” photos of the Cook home, visit Unite Work Camp on Facebook.