Southminster Church Helps Fix Up 19 Local Homes

Approximately 200 members and friends of Southminster Presbyterian Church, as well as local business owners and Scout Troop 132, rallied in early November to provide much-needed repairs on 19 homes in Wheeling and Elk Grove Townships owned by low-income or senior residents. The “God Energizing Mission” (GEM) project worked with the townships to identify neighbors in need of help.

“GEM was wonderful because both the homeowners and members Southminster were so excited about the project,” said Jean Walker, who co-chaired the second biennial event with Sandy Pifer. “This was a total team effort.”

Church members of all ages were encouraged to participate in the GEM project through one of these teams: House Assessment and Work, Publicity, Food, Worship, Caregiver, Devotionals, Worship, Finance, or Prayer.

The GEM weekend began with a supper on Friday evening, where everyone gathered to learn about the following day’s activities. Participants worked in the homes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, with a break for lunch and devotions with the homeowners. At a Sunday breakfast gathering/worship service, homeowners and church members spoke enthusiastically about the experience.

Community businesses that provided services, supplies and/or equipment for free or at reduced costs included: Ibbotson Heating Co., Jay Haack Builders, CRC Concrete Raising & Repair CEO Patti Peterson, Frank Miller of Taylor Plumbing, Terminix, and the Carpet Outlet.

Some of the tasks accomplished included: patching a concrete driveway; painting rooms; washing windows; cleaning walls, floors and carpets; raking leaves and cleaning out gutters; and assembling gift baskets for the homeowners.

“It was amazing how God energized our congregation, and provided us with a moderate and mostly rain-free day in which to do our labors of love,” Pifer said. “A big thank you to all the local businesses that made such a difference to the families we served.”