St. Patrick youth group wants to renovate a home

Inspired by the popular television series that features extensive home renovations, St. Patrick Church in St. Charles is looking to help a deserving family in the Tri-Cities who could benefit from a home improvement project.

"Extreme Makeover: Faith Edition" is a project spear-headed by the youth group. Although the project's movers and shakers will be members of the middle school, high school and young adult groups, parishioners of all ages will be involved.

"We hope to make it more than a youth event," said Mike Zak, director of youth ministries for the Church. "I know parents and others in the parish will want to be involved. An inter-generational event is even better."

The church is looking to the community to nominate a family who can benefit from renovations of at least two rooms of their home. Work will be done Aug. 9 and 10.

The family will be chosen based on income and special circumstances.

In 2003, the church youth undertook a similar project called "While You Were at Church." It was based on the Learning Channel show "While You Were Out." That year the church improved a family's home through landscaping, rebuilding the front porch, painting walls and furniture and hanging curtains. The family had experienced financial problems after buying a fixer-upper and were unable to make needed repairs.

Nominations for this year's project are due May 26.

Once a family is chosen, the youth groups will hold fundraisers to help finance the project. Cash donations and volunteers who will help with renovation work are needed. The goal is to re-do at least two rooms in a family's home but the extent of the work will depend on how many volunteers and how much cash is available.

"We're doing this rather than an away mission," Zak said. "It helps raise awareness that there are people right here in the Fox Valley who have real needs as well."

According to Zak, MEB Construction Co. of St. Charles has volunteered to help.

To nominate a family, send a letter to St. Patrick Church, c/o Extreme Makeover, 408 Cedar St., St. Charles, 60174 or e-mail it to extrememakeoverfaith@gmail.com.

For details, call Zak at (630) 513-3315.