3MT Lifechangers in California area this week to provide volunteer work

July 19, 2011 at 12:19 p.m. | Updated July 19, 2011 at 12:19 p.m.

Taking a very short break from the sun Monday, July 18, after stripping the paint from the garage at a job site on Smith Street, California, from left, are 3MT Lifechangers site supervisor Sonny Ziehmer, 71, California (Ziehmer said he is the oldest 3MT volunteer participating this year); volunteers Mackenzie Rawson, 14, Farmington; Lindsey Morris, 13, California; Mikayla Clavin, 13, Lexington; Caitlin Brisendine, 17, Shawnee Mission, Kan.; and Sonny's assistant Kelley Shoemaker, California. The job site actually included work on two houses, side-by-side, that entailed stripping and painting one of the houses as well as the attached garage; and painting the trim of the other house, as well as stripping and painting the unattached garage, above. "I imagine we'll be done with both houses by Thursday," Ziehmer said.
Taking a very short break from the sun Monday, July 18, after stripping the paint from the garage at a job site on Smith Street, California, from left, are 3MT Lifechangers site supervisor Sonny Ziehmer, 71, California (Ziehmer said he is the oldest 3MT volunteer participating this year); volunteers Mackenzie Rawson, 14, Farmington; Lindsey Morris, 13, California; Mikayla Clavin, 13, Lexington; Caitlin Brisendine, 17, Shawnee Mission, Kan.; and Sonny's assistant Kelley Shoemaker, California. The job site actually included work on two houses, side-by-side, that entailed stripping and painting one of the houses as well as the attached garage; and painting the trim of the other house, as well as stripping and painting the unattached garage, above. "I imagine we'll be done with both houses by Thursday," Ziehmer said.

The 3MT Lifechangers (a.k.a. the Mid-Missouri Team) are in the area this week, July 16-23, providing volunteer work and repairs for residences in California and surrounding areas. This is the seventh consecutive summer the group of missionaries has provided service for fellow homeowners in need.

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Photo by Shannon Sturgis

Kevin Kohler, 3MT President and co-founder, said there are approximately 250 volunteers in the group this summer; some adults, but primarily teens.

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Photo by Shannon Sturgis

"We have mostly middle school and high school kids and some college students, as well as adult sponsors and leaders," Main Street Baptist Youth and Music Minister Jim Wright, California, said. "Most are from cities all over Missouri. Our only out-of-state volunteers this year are from Shawnee Mission, Kansas."

For more of this story check out the July 20 issue of the California Democrat.