The local non-profit group Square Foot Ministry (SFM) is planning its first “Mega Build” in Katrina-devastated Pass Christian, Miss., the weekend of Oct. 11 through 14. SFM has already constructed six houses there with another 10 scheduled for the upcoming trip. In June and July, groups across the metro Atlanta area assembled the walls for three houses that are now stored at the SFM warehouse in Griffin.

Inman United Methodist Church is coordinating the construction of the walls for one of the remaining houses. The work will be done on the parking lot of Lowe’s on Ga. Hwy. 85 in Fayetteville. Work will begin at 7 a.m. that Saturday morning. According to project coordinator Brenda Schachle, the team hopes to have the walls finished and loaded on a flatbed trailer for transport to Mississippi by mid-afternoon.

People who want to volunteer to work on this project can contact Schachle at 770-714-1604.

In addition to the work, SFM will have fund raisers and other opportunities for individuals and businesses to make tax-deductible donations to help with the cost of building materials and other expenses related to the trip.

Local churches have accepted the challenge to raise the funds for the building materials for these houses. Area churches that have taken the lead are Fayetteville First United Methodist, Providence United Methodist, Fayetteville First Baptist, Hopewell United Methodist, and Crosspoint Community Church.

Other Georgia churches involved include Perimeter Presbyterian Church, Lawrenceville Church of God, Lilburn Alliance, Pine Mountain United Methodist, and Moreland United Methodist. Members of Crossroads Church in Lillington, N.C. and Jesup (Ga.) Church of God are also taking groups to work on these houses.

According to David Clark, member of the board of directors of SFM and project chair, the goal is to build ten houses that weekend and have them ready for professional contractors to come in and install the heating and air conditioning systems and the plumbing the next week.

SFM wants to take as many as 350 or more people to work on these houses. People are needed to do construction work, assist at the construction sites, and help with food preparation.

Volunteer forms are available on the SFM web site and need to be turned in by Sept. 15 so that plans can be made for food and lodging.

Volunteers stay at the tent city set up in Pass Christian for relief workers. Cost is $5 per day.

Groups may contact David Clark, 770-639-0346, or log onto the SFM website, www.squarefootministry.com, for more details.

login to post comments