PORT HURON — Dark clouds and steady rain greeted volunteers Saturday, June 20, but the weather quickly gave way to sunshine as Blue Water Habitat for Humanity kicked off its annual Rock the Block neighborhood revitalization project near Audrey Pack Park.
The rain delayed the start only briefly. By the time volunteers gathered for opening remarks and a community prayer, sunshine was beginning to break through the clouds as nearly 100 volunteers prepared to spread out across the neighborhood.
This year’s Rock the Block focused on eight homes and Audrey Pack Park in the area surrounding 19th and Division streets. Volunteers worked from 8 a.m. to noon completing exterior improvement projects including painting, staining, landscaping, minor repairs and park beautification efforts.
“Rock the Block is a neighborhood beautification program,” said Kara Geib, interim executive director of Blue Water Habitat for Humanity. “The program works on homeowner-occupied homes in the chosen neighborhood and minor exterior repairs take place in one day.”
Rock the Block is used by Habitat for Humanity affiliates and other organizations nationwide. Rather than building new homes, the events focus on exterior repairs, cleanup and beautification projects designed to improve neighborhoods and build community pride.
Projects this year included porch staining, fence painting, window trim painting, yard cleanup and front step replacements at two homes. Volunteers also spread mulch and removed graffiti at Audrey Pack Park.
The event marked the eighth year Blue Water Habitat for Humanity has hosted Rock the Block.
Former Executive Director Ernest Werth-Toward, who traveled from Florida to attend this year’s event, reflected on the program’s growth over the years.
“Rock the Block for Blue Water Habitat for Humanity was initiated years ago,” Werth-Toward said. “As it developed with partners like the City of Port Huron and the Blue Water Area Chamber of Commerce, it has literally evolved into this machine that helps so many homeowners within the community that may not be able to get repairs done.”
Geib said the neighborhood was selected in consultation with the City of Port Huron Parks and Recreation Department. Habitat looks for areas where parks have recently received improvements or are expected to receive upgrades, while also considering the ratio of owner-occupied homes to rental properties.
“This park has had updates within the last five years,” Geib said. “Audrey had a very rich history in the neighborhood and in the City of Port Huron.”
One aspect that made this year’s project unique was the homeowners being served.
“The unique thing about this year’s event is that seven of the eight homes worked on are woman-owned,” Geib said.
A total of 93 volunteers participated this year, along with Blue Water Habitat for Humanity staff members. Geib said annual participation typically averages around 100 volunteers and includes Habitat supporters, businesses and community organizations.
“Volunteering allows you to connect to your community and make it a better place,” said Habitat board member Amy Zimmer. “Even helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people. I am honored to be a part of a life-changing organization.”
Geib said neighboring residents frequently undertake their own cleanup and improvement projects after seeing the work being completed.
“Even if other neighborhoods did not reach out to be part of the program, you see them that day or within the couple of weeks following the event proceeding with their own minor clean up to their homes,” Geib said. “Things as simple as trimming bushes or applying a fresh coat of stain.”
“We hope to bring a renewed sense of unity, love and pride to the neighborhood,” Geib said. “Bringing the community together for a soul-filling day and seeing the joy and gratitude on a homeowner’s face who is unable to complete the updates needed is why we do this event.”
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Habitat’s 8th annual Rock the Block revitalizes Port Huron neighborhood
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald | USA TODAY Network
