Organizers of the annual Backyard Mission Project are looking for applicants for their two-day outdoor transformation project this year.
For the past 10 years, First Presbyterian and First Christian Reformed Churches have undertaken a joint mission project in Chatham. Over two days, a group of volunteers transforms the outside of a house for a needy individual.
Mike Maroney, minister at First Presbyterian Church, said over the past decade, the group has done nine homes. Maroney said there was one year where they simply didn’t receive enough nominations and no home was deemed in need of such a backyard makeover.
He added some people think the offer is too good to be true.
“It can be as difficult as some people think there’s a catch. But we look for a real sense of need, for whatever the circumstances,” Maroney said. “We just want to know why there’s a need there. We just want to know that it would be something that would be really helpful for that person.”
Asking for the assistance can be an obstacle as well. Maroney said some people find it difficult to admit they need assistance.
“We don’t make a big deal of that. We just go in and help,” he said.
The results are jaw dropping.
“When we step away from that house, the homeowners are just amazed at what has happened over two days. And it’s all absolutely free. They don’t pay a cent,” he said.
Maroney said the army of volunteers pour over the property during that two-day span.
“It’s quite a transformation when 30-40 people show up for two days. They can do a lot of stuff,” he said. “We’ve done everything from scraping paint to building fences, fixing porches, building porches or wheelchair access ramps, and landscaping,” he said.
Maroney encourages people to nominate a friend, family, neighbour, or even themselves – anyone who could use the give of having volunteers come in and fix the outside of their house and property.
“We have certain needs – enough work to keep 30-40 people busy for two days. We do exterior work only. You have to own the house and have insurance,” he said, adding the volunteers don’t do roof work or windows.
Chances are, the lucky recipient will have more improvements done to their yard than they initially asked for, Maroney said.
“When we get there, we ask them what would be on their wish list. If it’s something we can get done in the two days, we’ll do it,” he said. “The homeowners are just amazed that people just step in and help them, just like that.”
The easiest way to nominate is to e-mail the person’s name, their address, the reason for the nomination, and the nature of the repairs. Send e-mails to office@firstchatham.org and put “Backyard Mission” in the subject header.
Alternatively, you can send a letter to Backyard Mission Project, First Presbyterian Church, 60 Fifth St., Chatham Ont., N7L 4V7
This year’s project will take place on July 20 and 21.
Maroney said the Backyard Mission Project evolved out of when he and his wife, Jodi, used to take First Presbyterian’s youth group to the U.S. for missionary projects. But crossing the border with building supplies and tools can make trips through customs an issue.
“After one particularly difficult border crossing, we decided to look at doing something here in town,” he said. “We do it as an expression of our faith,” Maroney said.
