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.”
Homepage
Related Photos
-
Monica Green/Times-Review
Discussion
A servant’s heart
- Local News
-
Sons of American Legion Squadron 50 member Jake Hill salutes a wreath he placed at the grave of a soldier buried in Cleburne Memorial Cemetery during Monday’s Memorial Day ceremonies.
-
Officials, residents remember those who gave it all
A robust breeze alleviated the heat somewhat Monday morning at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, but also played pandemonium with the setting up of a memorial table for POW and MIA veterans. Wind tipped a vase holding a single rose shattering it on the pavement. A hastily retrieved replacement held out but at one point toppled causing water to spill inches shy of the public announcement speaker.
-
A mother’s love, one day at a time
To everyone else, it was a regular Thursday. It was almost the weekend, almost summer break, time for vacation or time with family.
-
Candidates vie for Pct. 2, 3 seats
County voters will weigh in on three Johnson County Commissioners Court seats up for election on Tuesday. In addition to the five-candidate Precinct 1 race, voters living in precincts 2 and 3 will also vote for the commissioner of their choice.
-
Primary could decide constables
Ten candidates, all Republican, compete in their four respective precincts in the May 29 primary. With no Democratic opponents to face in November’s general election, the primary should decide the winner of all but one possible race.
-
Voters urged to check for possible precinct changes
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator.
-
Officials, residents remember those who gave it all
- Sports
-
Casey Walraven quarterbacked the Alvarado Indians in high school, but now takes over for Aubrey Sims at the helm of the Grandview athletics program.
-
Walraven no stranger to Grandview
Casey Walraven is no stranger to Grandview football.
For the past seven seasons, he has served as the offensive coordinator for the Zebras under the tutelage of Aubrey Sims, helping guide stars such as Daniel Spencer and Reid Golson to collegiate careers.
Earlier this year, Sims departed for a new job in Snyder, leaving Grandview in search of someone to lead the program. -
Yellow Jackets headed to finals
GRAHAM — The Wichita Falls Rider pitching staff swam with sharks for most of five innings Friday, avoiding all but a few love taps and playful nips from Cleburne batters.
-
Jackets defeat Rider, 1-0
The Yellow Jackets couldn’t have made better contact if they’d set the ball on a tee in front of home plate and whacked away.
-
Yellow Jackets headed to semi-finals
The Yellow Jackets defeated Stephenville 7-0 in Game 3 in Waco today. They will face Wichita Falls Rider next weekend in region semi-finals.
-
Yellow Jackets fall to Stephenville, 5-4
Stephenville snapped a 4-all tie with a run in the fifth inning, repulsed a Cleburne rally in the seventh and recorded a 5-4 win Friday night to send the best-of-three regional quarterfinal series to a third and deciding game at Waco Saturday.
-
Walraven no stranger to Grandview
- Opinion
-
-
Don Newbury: Hail on Earth can be a real beatdown sometimes
Jesus assures in St. Matthew that the gates of hell will never prevail against the church, but the Good Book is silent on protection from hail damage.
- Don Newbury: Finding the attitude of the ‘can ’til can’t’ people
- Deeds of a ‘Best Samaritan’ remembered at funeral
- Don Newbury: Varsity unlettered? Reflecting on the old theater
- Don Newbury: How much is the $26 hot dog really worth?
-
- Features / Living
-
-
Starving to fit in
Wedding season is fast approaching and so too is the anxiety of almost every bride. Planning the wedding is tough, sure, but what about losing those 10 to 20 pounds every bride seems to want to shed before the big day?
- Amber Washington: That he’s a firefighter not bad, it’s the T-shirts
- Monica Faram: Today is a day to celebrate miracle of life giving
- Larue Barnes: A cut above
- Randolph Garner: Nolan River School offers the then but now
-
- Obituaries
-
-
Dave Tanner Sr.
Service for Dave Tanner Sr., 72, of Cleburne will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Boulevard Baptist Church in Burleson. The Rev. Paul Cooper will officiate.
-
Anna Forbes
Anna Forbes, 77, of Godley, Texas, passed away Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Fort Worth, Texas. Services will be held at a later date.
-
Ruth Oliver
Graveside service for Ruth Oliver, 95, of Cleburne, will be conducted at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in Rosehill Cemetery. Mr. Kevin Rhodes will officiate. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.
-
Joe Kerby
Service for Joe Kerby, 78, of Cleburne, will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 27, 2012, at Friendship Baptist Church. The Rev. Brian McClure will officiate.
-
Shirley Sims Dyess
Memorial service for Shirley Sims Dyess, 63, of Alvarado will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 27, 2012, at New Hope Baptist Church in Venus.
-
