Baptist group to repair borough properties

[admin]

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FREEHOLD — Some much-needed help is coming to the borough.

After months of preparation, more than 300 members of the Georgia-based Baptist group World Changers are expected to arrive in Monmouth County this weekend. On July 7, they will fan out to rehabilitate homes and properties in Freehold, Freehold Township, Neptune and Asbury Park.

Here, their work will include rehabilitation at the Freehold Housing Authority's family apartment development on Throckmorton Street, said the housing authority's office manager, Sharon Whetzler.

Volunteers will repair and paint fences for 34 units, work that is badly needed, Whetzler said.

"Everybody has a slat missing," she said.

If volunteers have time, they also will paint hallways in the senior development, also on Throckmorton Street.

"I am thrilled that they're coming," Whetzler said.

Volunteers also will be dispatched to Rug Mill Towers to paint, and if all permits are granted, two or three homes in the borough and one in the township also will be tended to, said George Russ, senior pastor at Colts Neck Community Church and local coordinator for the World Changers' visit.

In Neptune, volunteers will work on several painting projects and on construction projects such as repairing roofs and porches, Russ said.

At least eight teams will work in Freehold. About 23 or 24 teams will work in Neptune, Russ said.

While they are working, Russ said children from his church — all too young to join World Changers — will be engaged in their own projects, including weeding at the church and raking leaves at residents' homes.

"We can't wait to get this to start," Russ said.

The teams are a mix of students and adult supervisors, with 10 people per team, Russ said, and the volunteers will be lodged at Neptune High School.

Each night, a prayer service will be held around 7 or 7:30 p.m., Russ said. The public is invited, especially on July 11, when the homeowners being helped will be asked to attend.

"(I feel) a little overwhelmed," Russ said. But, he is excited for the volunteers' arrival.

"It's pretty awesome," he said.

Kim Predham: [phone] or [e-mail]

[admin]

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After months of preparation, members of World Changers are working in Freehold Borough.

This group of ambitious youngsters with a mission to "change worlds" started working on Freehold Borough homes this week. They will come to help rehabilitate properties that are in need of improvement and they will do it for free.

According to information provided by Freehold Borough Council President, Michael DiBenedetto, the mission of the organization is to change the life of the participants by giving them a chance to change someone's world.

Freehold Borough Councilman, George Schnurr, has been reviewing work at three sites in Freehold Borough this week. The sites are 33 Broadway, 25 Bennett Street and 50 Bowne Avenue. “The work is of high caliber. There is an attention to detail that you wouldn't expect from teenagers,” Councilman Schnurr said, as he pointed out how there was a pitch to the porch under construction so that the rain water would drain away from the house.

World Changers adult staff mentioned, “That after a few houses, the kids know what to do. They learn from one another as well as the adult leaders.”

Councilman Schnurr said, “That he was very impressed with the quality of the work.”

The resident of 25 Bennett Street added, that he thinks that his front porch that was being torn down and rebuilt is going to be his “best friend.”

Freehold Borough Council President, Michael DiBenedetto concluded, "It's idealism put into action." He praised the program's mission and its goals, which will help to spruce up some properties this week.

[admin]

Jul 10, 2008 21:07:55 GMT -5 admin said:

www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080710/GETPUBLISHED/807100584/-1/LOCAL02favicon.ico

After months of preparation, members of World Changers are working in Freehold Borough.

This group of ambitious youngsters with a mission to "change worlds" started working on Freehold Borough homes this week. They will come to help rehabilitate properties that are in need of improvement and they will do it for free.

According to information provided by Freehold Borough Council President, Michael DiBenedetto, the mission of the organization is to change the life of the participants by giving them a chance to change someone's world.

Freehold Borough Councilman, George Schnurr, has been reviewing work at three sites in Freehold Borough this week. The sites are 33 Broadway, 25 Bennett Street and 50 Bowne Avenue. “The work is of high caliber. There is an attention to detail that you wouldn't expect from teenagers,” Councilman Schnurr said, as he pointed out how there was a pitch to the porch under construction so that the rain water would drain away from the house.

World Changers adult staff mentioned, “That after a few houses, the kids know what to do. They learn from one another as well as the adult leaders.”

Councilman Schnurr said, “That he was very impressed with the quality of the work.”

The resident of 25 Bennett Street added, that he thinks that his front porch that was being torn down and rebuilt is going to be his “best friend.”

Freehold Borough Council President, Michael DiBenedetto concluded, "It's idealism put into action." He praised the program's mission and its goals, which will help to spruce up some properties this week.

I received a great email from Councilman Schnurr today about this program. He had nothing but great things to say about it. He also sent along some pictures of not only the people doing the work, but the work itself. It is amazing quality that these kids are providing. I will try to get permission to post the pictures. The one and only picture in the APP does not do the program justice.

[stffgpr2003]

As a very recent development, some of the local leaders from the WC project have also offered to help guide and support the new Neighborhood Pride Committee. They certainly have relevent experience and have shown great interest in our town.

Their experience with the WC program and their connections with possible benefactors and other agencies will be of great help in keeping the positive momentum going in FB, year round.

Pastor Mark Davis of Western Monmouth Baptist Church will be attending the upcoming NPC meeting to share some of his experiences, thoughts and ideas.

Pastor Davis told me he is very excited and truly believes that Freehold Borough can become a model community for Neighborhood Pride, over time. He also believes that once everyone sees the great work that World Changers has done at the homes they've improved, they will better understand the value of such programs in improving the look of individual homes, of the town and in bringing the community together.

Marc

[admin]

I put some good pictures of this project on the home pages. They are found on the donations page, which I will be making use of more than I have.

Take a look at the pictures and you can see these kids are doing terrific work. Pictures compliments of Councilman Geo.

www.people-fb.com/donations.html

[stffgpr2003]

Here are a few of the photos I took today.... I treated everyone to the cookies in the paint cans shown in the last photo. Run down to Chrstmas Tree Shops at the Mall. They are DELICIOUS!

[adefonzo]

I am really glad to see that the work being done by these wonderful volunteers is being devoted to family homeowners in the boro who needed the help with projects around their homes.

There was speculation and concern that the work would go towards rental units that are not being tended to properly by absentee landlords, from what I see, that is not the case...and I for one am happy to see that.

Seeing some of these pictures, it reminds me a great deal of work I have done with Habitat for Humanity, or even going way back to the Eagle Scout project I did many moons ago. It's always great to see the younger generation getting out there and helping others.

With hope and luck, the spirit that these young folks have brought into our town will be able to carry over with Marc's neighborhood pride committee. On another thread, we discussed the idea of helping out a neighbor of one of the site's participants who's lawn was not tended to nearly as well as they would hope. This is all the same concept.

Freehold Boro is a simple, small community. One of the things that I have always taken pride in was the sense of community I felt growing up in this town. Sure, things have changed a great deal since I was a kid growing up here, and there are still a number of things that I feel have diminished the view and value of this town...but that doesn't mean we should all clam up in our homes and lose the sense of community that we used to have...

We just celebrated July 4th...how many people had block parties or bar-b-ques in their back yard where you invited the neighbors? That was a staple on my block for years...and we're trying to bring it back...it's not fully back, but we're working on it. And the best part is, the two households that are working on it the most are the DeFonzo household (traditionally Conservative/Republican) and the Odud household (traditionally Liberal/Democrat). Just goes to show...you can differ politically, and still get together for a bar-b-que...in fact, it makes for some really stimulating conversation...we've got over 30 years of it on my block...how about you?

[stffgpr2003]

With hope and luck, the spirit that these young folks have brought into our town will be able to carry over with Marc's neighborhood pride committee

Councilman Schnurr and I went door to door on Center Street, yesterday with a pad and camera in hand. We will finish the area, today. George is still fired up from seeing the World Changers at work and spoke at their wrap up meeting in Neptune on Friday night. George sees our NPC as a great bridge between WC leaving and returning to the Borough each year.

The good news is that there are a number of Center Street area homeowners interested in what will be happening on their street (repaving) and with several suggestions for the Neighborhood Pride volunteers that we anticipate will join in to help with minor improvements such as scraping, painting, cleanup, etc. There are also some repairs and beautification projects for Borough Departments to work on, too.

To that end, PLEASE start seriously thinking about being among the volunteers we will need in a few weeks. The committee cannot and will not do all the work on their own. I am happy to do my share of the scraping and painting for our residents. The question is - as they say in the movies - WHO WILL JOIN ME???

Thanks!

Marc

[adefonzo]

Jul 13, 2008 6:54:48 GMT -5 @stffgpr2003 said:

To that end, PLEASE start seriously thinking about being among the volunteers we will need in a few weeks. The committee cannot and will not do all the work on their own. I am happy to do my share of the scraping and painting for our residents. The question is - as they say in the movies - WHO WILL JOIN ME???

Thanks!

Marc

You tell me when and where...I'll be there (well...so long as it's not in the middle of the day during the week when I have to be at work )

[admin]

Jul 13, 2008 8:45:52 GMT -5 adefonzo said:

Jul 13, 2008 6:54:48 GMT -5 @stffgpr2003 said:

To that end, PLEASE start seriously thinking about being among the volunteers we will need in a few weeks. The committee cannot and will not do all the work on their own. I am happy to do my share of the scraping and painting for our residents. The question is - as they say in the movies - WHO WILL JOIN ME???

Thanks!

Marc

You tell me when and where...I'll be there (well...so long as it's not in the middle of the day during the week when I have to be at work )

As long as I am not working, I am there too. With my crazy schedule, showing up is hard to promise at this time.

[novillero]

Group helps to build a better community
World Changers volunteers work on Freehold properties
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

Working in the heat of the July sun for a week, painting houses, repairing roofs and removing aging porches may not seem like the ideal summer vacation, but a group of young people from all over the country seem to believe it is, and they even paid to do it.

They are part of a program called World Changers. The idea is to rehabilitate homes for deserving people and by doing so, to make a difference in their lives.

The motivation is spiritual. These youngsters say they are working for God and, in the process, are bringing pride of ownership back to some people who may have lost it along the way. The goal of World Changers is to change the world one community at a time, and Freehold Borough was selected as one of the program's destinations this year.

World Changers, a ministry of the North American Mission Board Southern Baptist Convention, is sending 23,000 youngsters out to work on 85 projects this summer.

According to World Changers mission communication specialist Ally Edge, 335 youngsters and staff members from 12 states arrived in New Jersey with the goal of improving the lives of individuals by helping to rehabilitate their homes and apartments. The group members made Freehold and Neptune their home from July 5 to July 12.

"This is one of the best welcomes we've received," Edge said, commenting on the World Changers' arrival in Freehold Borough.

Edge, who has been with World Changers for three years in a supervisory position, started out as a teen just like the youngsters who are now under her guidance.

"It gets in your blood," she said.

Edge said it sometimes takes a while for people to realize the young people are doing this just to make a difference in the lives of another individual.

"It's a hard concept to conceive," she said.

According to Edge, about 90 young people were scheduled to work on six properties in Freehold Borough, and Jane Wiliamovich was very happy they came to town.

Surrounded by scaffolding, hammers, nails and lumber, Wiliamovich watched from a lawn chair as volunteers worked on her home, pulling materials off an aging porch in need of attention.

Under the supervision of Shane Alldredge, a contractor from Guntersville, Ala., crew supervisor Chris Swenda and crew chief Keith Falls, a gas fitter from Tuscaloosa, Ala., work was progressing on the home Wiliamovich has lived in for almost 40 years. She said she was grateful to have the assistance the World Changers were providing, because she wants to remain in her home.

Why did these young volunteers give up part of their summer so they could spend eight hours a day working in the hot sun and then sleep in a high school gym in Neptune hundreds of miles away from home?

Crew encourager Daniel Armendariz from McAllen, Texas, summed up the reason by saying, "We are here for the love of Christ. He has called us to serve, and this is how we do that."

Armendariz is a member of the Prima Iglesai Bautista Church in Texas. He is a University of Texas-Pan-American student who is also working as a missionary with George Russ, pastor of Colts Neck Baptist Church, doing outreach with Freehold's Latino population. He was planning to spend time teaching English classes at the New Beginnings Agape Christian Center in Freehold Borough.

Falls, a member of the Flatwoods Baptist Church in Alabama, said the young people are "willing" and "go-getters." Those in the World Changers program range in age from about 12 through young adult.

They were working under the supervision of Alldredge, who is a member of the Sweet Home Baptist Church in Alabama.

A professional construction crew was expected to complete the work on Wiliamovich's residence after the World Changers headed for home.

According to Borough Administrator Joseph Bellina, the mission of the organization is to change the lives of the participants by giving them the opportunity to change someone else's world.

The idea to bring World Changers to Monmouth County came from Russ, whose congregation from Colts Neck Baptist Church had participated in the program before.

"We have been involved with World Changers for five years, with our volunteers going to Buffalo and Canada, among other places," Russ said.

Russ said Neptune Mayor Randy Bishop and Bellina, with support from Freehold Borough Mayor Michael Wilson, "worked with us to make this happen." He said the church's motto is "helping all people find real life."

Bellina said he was impressed with the young people who came to work in Freehold. He said, "They are making a significant contribution to make Freehold Borough a better place to live."

While the volunteers were in Monmouth County, they had the facilities of Neptune High School at their disposal to use as a base. The facility was offered by Richard Allen, principal of Neptune High School, who is a former administrator in the Freehold Regional High School District.

Host churches provided meals, and the El Meson restaurant in Freehold provided lunch for the people who were working at Wiliamovich's home.

A worship service for the participants was held each evening.

Edge said World Changers officials want youngsters to have a meaningful experience to grow spiritually to take home with them.

Students in the program split their time between Freehold Borough and Neptune rehabilitating residences. Adults who accompanied the students included craftsmen such as roofers, painters and carpenters.

L

ocal officials worked with World

Changers to secure the materials needed for the jobs at hand.

Bellina said the World Changers administrators chose the properties they believed would benefit the most from their work force. Properties on Broadway, Bennett Street, Bowne Avenue, East Freehold Road, Throckmorton Street and at the Rug Mill Towers received attention.

Local companies that helped make everything possible were the Earle Asphalt Co., Builders General, Higgins Memorial Home, Colors to Go, Freehold Raceway, Freehold Savings and Loan, Sun Bank, and Wachovia Bank.

Also contributing to the effort were Norkus Foodtown, the Rotary Club of Freehold, the Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold, Delicious Orchards, the New Jersey Natural Gas Co. and Coca-Cola.

Jersey Shore University Medical Center and New Jersey Natural Gas provided T-shirts for the World Changers.

Russ said the World Changers expect to return to Freehold Borough and Neptune next year.

Bellina indicated that would be fine with Freehold officials.

"If they do return, we are fortunate enough to already have a blueprint in place as to how to proceed together. I hope they (World Changers) feel we worked well with them. We have a foundation on which to build a nice program over time.

"Some homes are beneficiaries of the talent and sweat equity unselfishly poured into them by these young people. However, the town as a whole is the beneficiary of their love and commitment to making the larger society a better place in which to live. The Freehold family has opened their doors and their hearts to the World Changers family," Bellina said.

newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0723/front_page/004.html

[fiberisgoodforyou]

I was speaking with one of the local organizers, and the kids enjoyed our town. The Mayor of Neptune through them a beach party..., I heard.

I hope that the favorable impression WE left on these kids will encourage one or two of them to chose to come back to The Borough to one day LIVE here, now that would be the most rewarding conclusion of all!