Church Members Help to Rebuild Houses Together

Members of White Lake Presbyterian Church are rolling up their sleeves again this year to help their less fortunate neighbors get their homes into shape for spring. Through Rebuilding Together, a nationwide program that assists low-income homeowners with critical home repairs, volunteers from the church will band together to assist local families.  

“In Oakland County, we do this once a year,” said Gail Hale, a member of White Lake Presbyterian. “We go into the homes of the elderly and handicapped. They have to put in a request and a committee looks at their circumstances and determines if it’s something we can help with.” 

This year, Rebuilding Together of Oakland County received five applications from homeowners in the area and will be sending volunteers to all five homes on May 7.

“There have been years that we’ve had a whole lot more,” said Hale, a lifelong White Lake resident. “But, there has to be a need. They can’t make more than so much money.” Recipients of assistance are located in White Lake, Milford and Highland.

“We’re putting in a new roof and painting an individual’s house,” Hale said. “We’re looking at electrical issues and cleaning up the yards. Whatever the home needs is what we do.”

While White Lake Presbyterian congregants will be among the volunteers who go to the homes and perform manual labor, the church also helps financially.

“Our church actually sponsors some of the homes. We support the volunteer and funding process in our area,” said Hale. “At this point, there are four or five different churches, organizations and individuals. A lot of the volunteers have been with Rebuilding Together for years.” Hale has been involved with the organization for 16 years.

“My mom got me started in it,” she said. “I’ve also had my kids out there. We’ve had three generations helping at a time.” Church members are not the only Samaritans chipping in to make Rebuilding Together a success this year. 

“Local restaurants in the area are pitching in to feed the volunteers. Eight or nine different companies have donated food or gift cards.” Among the donors are Hungry Howie’s of Highland, Kmart in White Lake and Highland House, Skybox and Rite Aid of Highland.

Pastor James Kumin of White Lake Presbyterian stresses the importance of exercising your faith in everyday life.

“Anytime that we can do practical things locally to live out our faith, that’s a good thing,” he said. “(Volunteers) can tangibly see what they’ve accomplished.”

The recipients and volunteers are what inspire Hale to continue to work with Rebuilding Together each year.

“You couldn’t ask for more wonderful people who donate their time, effort and talents,” she said. “They are a wonderful group of people, and I think it gives you satisfaction to help someone else who maybe can’t help themselves. I like to think that if I were in need, someone would do the same for me, and you find a lot of people are very appreciative of what we do for them.”

Last year, about 10 volunteers from White Lake Presbyterian came out to assist with the program.

“We’re not a very big church, but there’s a lot of heart,” Hale said.

Teri Coleman, Huron Valley-area commander for Rebuilding Together, said that participation from area churches is crucial to the success of the program.

“The leadership teams are usually from my churches,” Coleman said. “We’re taught that if we have something to give, we give to the people who need us.”

Rebuilding Together is always looking for volunteers and sponsors to continue its mission.

“You’ll have a good time sharing a lot of memories,” said Hale. "It’s something I look forward to doing every year.”

To learn more about how you can help Rebuilding Together, visit www.rebuildingtogether.org or call 248-889-5450.