Published: March 23, 2008 01:09 am            

Ind. students spend break working in Americus

AMERICUS, Ga. — A group of 55 students from Taylor University in Indiana helped repair the roof of a badly deteriorated home on Jefferson Street in Americus Saturday.

The students did the repairs under the auspices of The Fuller Center for Housing. An elderly woman, Mamie Lilliard, and her two daughters, Jackie Marshall and Dot McGuire, live in the home.

Lilliard said the home has been in their family for decades, and they inherited it when her father, who lived in the home, died. The women moved from West Palm Beach, Fla. to take over the home.

“We knew the house was in bad shape when we moved in, but we didn’t know it was this bad,” said Marshall Saturday, as the students were repairing the roof and cleaning up the yard around the house. She said the roof had large holes in it and rain would soak the inside of the house.

“We have tried our best to cover the furniture with plastic and put out buckets when it rains,” Marshall said. She said the family of three wanted to make the repairs themselves, but they simply didn’t have the income.

“We have waited so long for someone to give us a helping hand to get out of this situation. God bless those children for giving up their spring break to help repair our home. They could be on a beach somewhere having a good time, but they chose to work and help someone who is truly in need. Thank you Jesus!” Marshall shouted, as tears started rolling down her face.

She said the students will always have a special place in her heart, because she has children of her own. Marshall said she prayed Saturday that none of students would get hurt while they were up on the roof working, and she prayed God would protect them as they traveled the highways in their vans.

The students will leave Americus Monday to travel to Miami to repair some homes. “God may not always come when you call Him, but He’s always on time,” said Marshall’s mother, Mamie Lilliard.

Lilliard said she has asthma and the damp house caused by the rain only worsens her condition. Marshall pointed to where mold was growing on the walls because of the rainwater.

“It’s very important to The Fuller Center that we are able to help this family,” said Millard Fuller, when he came by the house to talk with the family and thank the students again. “This family has been through a lot and they deserve better.”

Fuller said the home was already in bad shape, but the March 1, 2007 tornado just made things worse.

“We are so grateful to these students. They are helping more than they will ever know. They are truly fine young men and women,” said Fuller.

Student Cam Brennan said this wasn’t his first time spending his spring breaking repairing or building a home. “I like helping others and plus I am having a great time.” He said each of the 55 students had to raise $400 to participate in this current travel/work project.

Student Annah Darling said she had never been to the Southeast before, and she was excited to meet people from another part of the country.

“I am having a nice time so far, and it is plenty of work for us to do. I am definitely not bored,” she said, as she put a load of damaged roof tiles into a large bin.

Fuller said the family that lives in the Jefferson Street home will have the opportunity to participate in The Fuller Center “Greater Blessing Program.”

“Greater Blessing Program doesn’t use a loan agreement,” said Fuller. “The homeowners are simply asked to make donations back to the organization to help others, allowing them the blessing of giving,” said Fuller.



Michael J. Ross writes for the Americus (Ga.) Times-Recorder.

        

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