World Changers Comes to Watertown

The National World Changers organization is coming to Watertown this summer. They will be here from July 6th to July 10th to aid in housing rehabilitation and revitalization being undertaken by Neighbors Of Watertown.

The New Hope Baptist Church is a member of World Changers and is bringing this exciting volunteerism to Watertown under the guidance of Pastor Stan Gillcash.

In 2008, Neighbors Of Watertown hosted 210 junior high and high school aged youth from six states. Over a five day period they were able to assist nine homeowners with minor repairs. Work done over the five days included painting, wheelchair ramp construction, porch replacement, siding, landscaping, and demolition of dilapidated garages and sheds. Work was also done at the Zoo. Each youth group worked approximately 32 hours for a total of 6,720 volunteer hours. The cost of labor (at minimum wage) for those combined projects would have easily exceeded $48,000.

The assistance provided by these volunteers and donor businesses enrich not only the lives of the homeowners assisted but also the community as a whole. The funds donated by local businesses, organizations and the City of Watertown bought materials for those that couldn’t afford them and food for meals for the world changer volunteers. We thank them all for their support of this great program. The City of Watertown, through the Governor’s Office for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funs, donated almost $7,000. The Watertown School District provided rooms at Case Junior High School to accommodate the visiting teenagers. In addition, the following donors provided cash and other support for World Changers work in Watertown last summer

Business & Organizational Supporters:

Great American Foods provided groceries at cost for lunches for the 210 volunteers.
Holy Family provided their school cafeteria for preparation of the lunches.
Watertown School District provided rooms to lodge the visiting volunteer students.

Our thanks to these fine local companies for this support of neighborhood revitalization and World Changers.

Here is a news article about Raising Funds for World Changers: