Sen. Pavlov and Rep. Lafontaine Paint with Blue Water Habitat
[This story is adapted from a Times Herald article by Crystal Garcia. To view the original story, click here.]
Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair Township, and Rep. Andrea LaFontaine, R-Richmond, teamed up with Blue Water Habitat for Humanity and the city of Port Huron Wednesday, August 3, to help two elderly and disabled homeow
ners paint their homes.
The efforts were part of a program called Brush with Kindness, which focuses on improving the exteriors of homes, said Eric Wood, an AmeriCorps member who serves as a volunteer coordinator with Habitat.
“It’s good not only to build houses for people, but also to improve the neighborhood as a whole,” Wood said.
Pavlov said the project not only is an improvement to the homes, but “an improvement to your local community.
“With the housing collapse, there is plenty of a supply of housing,” he said. “Now, we’re just fixing the ones that need a little extra attention.”
Pavlov has been involved in legislative volunteer projects like this before . This is Lafontaine’s first year.
“I like doing this stuff,” she said. “It’s a way to give back to the community, and it’s awesome when you can see a finished product and know it benefited someone.”
Carol Limberger, owner of the Wells Street home, said she couldn’t have had the work done without the volunteers. She has lived there for 42 years, she said.
“They’re great,” she said. “They’re doing a real good job. I really appreciate it.”
The Gibson congregation built a new facility adjacent to the old church. In November 2009, the congregation offered the building to Laketown Township. The board accepted the donation earlier this year. Inspired by its architectural integrity and history, a handful of determined volunteers began the process of restoring the chapel to its original condition. The July 11th session topped off a weekend of work. The church’s bell was installed Saturday.
