SHSBulldog00
06-18-2009, 11:52 PM
This has been going on for several years. Does something like this happen where you live?
Residents tackle projects for less fortunate
By Nathaniel Lukefahr
The Facts
Published June 19, 2009
SWEENY — The town that works together, grows together.
More than 160 Sweeny-area residents, both youth and adults, are working together this week to better the lives of the less fortunate in the eighth installment of Sweeny United.
Placed in groups of eight to 10, Sweeny United members branched out into the West of the Brazos community to do 47 projects — building walkways, painting homes and sprucing up gardens — for the elderly, disabled and low-income who can’t do it themselves.
“It’s simply just doing good deeds for good people who can’t help themselves,” program co-director Rita McMillan said.
One of Sweeny United’s 15 teams was repairing a damaged porch, splashing a fresh coat of paint and installing doors Wednesday at a house on Peach near Sixth Street.
Ross Nairn, 13, was taking part in the program to see the happy faces on the homeowners once a project was finished. It was his second year with Sweeny United.
The work also allowed Ross to better his skills with tools.
“It’s a lot of fun and it really makes me feel good to do something to help people,” Ross said.
Another team — the program’s all-girl crew — was covering a house at Sycamore and Sixth streets in a fresh coat of light brown paint.
“They’re really hustling,” said Sweeny United co-director Christine Miller, who was at the house.
While the all-girl squad was comprised mostly of Sweeny ISD students, one of its youngest members also was one of the most-tenured.
Sweeny United volunteers must be at least 12 years old and live, attend school or go to church in Sweeny, McMillan said. But Courtney Chenault, 12, has been taking part in United unofficially since she was 4 years old.
Courtney said her parents always helped in the program, but did not want to hire a baby-sitter. So she tagged along, doing odd jobs. She rode along with people dropping off wet towels and drinks at work sites and filled water balloons.
This year, her time arrived to grab a paint brush and get to work.
“It’s a lot of fun and really cool to help people,” she said. “It’s great to help people who need it.”
Community members who live in Sweeny ISD’s 154-square-mile service area were eligible to receive help from Sweeny United teams, who work for free, McMillan said.
Homeowners turned in applications at Sweeny City Hall, and Sweeny United volunteers selected projects based on need and the feasibility of teenagers completing the work.
Applicants describe the scope of their project and Bobby Nairn, one of Sweeny United’s lead project supervisor, inspects each site to determine what materials are needed. Nairn, his son, Ralph, and grandsons Kyle, Wade and Ross all have taken part in the program.
The projects then are drawn out for team leaders to use when crews get on-site.
The outreach fosters a happier community, McMillan said.
Cassie Ortego, 20, and in her sixth year with Sweeny United, had the same view.
“I’ve grown up in the program,” she said. “I started when I was 12, and it’s become bigger and better every year. It’s great to give back.”
Nathaniel Lukefahr covers Sweeny for The Facts. Contact him at (979) 237-0151.
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HOW IT WORKS
Sweeny United volunteers must be at least 12 years old and live, attend school or go to church in Sweeny.
Community members who live in Sweeny ISD’s 154-square-mile service area were eligible to receive help from Sweeny United teams, who work for free.
Homeowners turned in applications at Sweeny City Hall, and Sweeny United volunteers selected projects based on need and the feasibility of teenagers completing the work.
Residents tackle projects for less fortunate
By Nathaniel Lukefahr
The Facts
Published June 19, 2009
SWEENY — The town that works together, grows together.
More than 160 Sweeny-area residents, both youth and adults, are working together this week to better the lives of the less fortunate in the eighth installment of Sweeny United.
Placed in groups of eight to 10, Sweeny United members branched out into the West of the Brazos community to do 47 projects — building walkways, painting homes and sprucing up gardens — for the elderly, disabled and low-income who can’t do it themselves.
“It’s simply just doing good deeds for good people who can’t help themselves,” program co-director Rita McMillan said.
One of Sweeny United’s 15 teams was repairing a damaged porch, splashing a fresh coat of paint and installing doors Wednesday at a house on Peach near Sixth Street.
Ross Nairn, 13, was taking part in the program to see the happy faces on the homeowners once a project was finished. It was his second year with Sweeny United.
The work also allowed Ross to better his skills with tools.
“It’s a lot of fun and it really makes me feel good to do something to help people,” Ross said.
Another team — the program’s all-girl crew — was covering a house at Sycamore and Sixth streets in a fresh coat of light brown paint.
“They’re really hustling,” said Sweeny United co-director Christine Miller, who was at the house.
While the all-girl squad was comprised mostly of Sweeny ISD students, one of its youngest members also was one of the most-tenured.
Sweeny United volunteers must be at least 12 years old and live, attend school or go to church in Sweeny, McMillan said. But Courtney Chenault, 12, has been taking part in United unofficially since she was 4 years old.
Courtney said her parents always helped in the program, but did not want to hire a baby-sitter. So she tagged along, doing odd jobs. She rode along with people dropping off wet towels and drinks at work sites and filled water balloons.
This year, her time arrived to grab a paint brush and get to work.
“It’s a lot of fun and really cool to help people,” she said. “It’s great to help people who need it.”
Community members who live in Sweeny ISD’s 154-square-mile service area were eligible to receive help from Sweeny United teams, who work for free, McMillan said.
Homeowners turned in applications at Sweeny City Hall, and Sweeny United volunteers selected projects based on need and the feasibility of teenagers completing the work.
Applicants describe the scope of their project and Bobby Nairn, one of Sweeny United’s lead project supervisor, inspects each site to determine what materials are needed. Nairn, his son, Ralph, and grandsons Kyle, Wade and Ross all have taken part in the program.
The projects then are drawn out for team leaders to use when crews get on-site.
The outreach fosters a happier community, McMillan said.
Cassie Ortego, 20, and in her sixth year with Sweeny United, had the same view.
“I’ve grown up in the program,” she said. “I started when I was 12, and it’s become bigger and better every year. It’s great to give back.”
Nathaniel Lukefahr covers Sweeny for The Facts. Contact him at (979) 237-0151.
---
HOW IT WORKS
Sweeny United volunteers must be at least 12 years old and live, attend school or go to church in Sweeny.
Community members who live in Sweeny ISD’s 154-square-mile service area were eligible to receive help from Sweeny United teams, who work for free.
Homeowners turned in applications at Sweeny City Hall, and Sweeny United volunteers selected projects based on need and the feasibility of teenagers completing the work.