Published: April 07, 2009 01:41 pm      

A servant’s heart

Despite chilly temperatures about 200 volunteers gave up their Saturday morning to work on Cleburne houses in need of repair and clean up.

The 10th annual Christmas in Action workday was Saturday, but about 50 volunteers also worked Sunday on a home in Keene.

“We greatly, greatly appreciate the volunteers who came out,” said Teresa Richardson, CIA secretary. “This program could not work without people coming out and helping their neighbor. It just gives you a good feeling.

“You know you’re not only helping someone out but benefiting the community and revitalizing the neighborhood by making it nicer and safer for the people living there.”

The major work on the houses was completed in the two days, Richardson said.

The houses were located at 1123 E. Henderson St., 407 Olive St., 307 Royal St. and 309 Lipscomb, all in Cleburne, and 317 E. First St. in Keene.

“We had four houses that were refurbished and one cleanup project,” Richardson said. “We still lack putting the flooring down. We always wait to do that after the workday.

“The house on Royal Street, we still have some work going on, with the bathroom walls being constructed. We’re also still trying to look at putting a roof on another house.”

The volunteers who worked said they enjoyed helping the homeowners.

“I think it is a wonderful project,” said Jennifer Vanderlaan. “I have worked on other things like Habitat, but this was my first time to work on an existing home in the community. So many people need that extra hand to make something happen.”

Christmas in Action is an organization that helps elderly and disabled people in our community, said Dora Vasquez, who serves on the board.

“Sometimes people just need some extra help taking care of their house that they are unable to do because of money or health,” Vasquez said. “It is so great to see all the volunteers that come out to help and give of their time to help someone else.

“We have so many organizations, businesses and youth that give up their Saturday to come and work hard. It is a great feeling to see so many people in our community that care and want to help.”

Lunch was provided by CiCi’s Pizza, Chicken Express and the Cleburne Fire Department.

The fire department cooked almost 200 hamburgers.

Water was donated by Chesapeake Energy, Wal-Mart Distribution Center and Grandview State Bank.

“With a lot of volunteers we got a lot of work done in a short time,” said Raymond Vasquez, one of the house captains. “It’s really nice to see a lot of people come together and give a day off to help someone else. Makes you feel good.”