Helping Our Community by Rebuilding Lives Through Home Renovations

By Gary Graham

Salkehatchie Summer Service was founded in the low country of South Carolina in the summer of 1978 by the Rev. John Culp. An outreach ministry of the South Carolina United Methodist Church, the summer service project has become more than a church outreach program, volunteer group, or just another summer youth camp. Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age and camps usually consist of high school and college-age students, and adult counselors and other volunteers. All come together and spend a week during the hottest time of the summer to repair homes for the elderly, disabled, and less fortunate who cannot afford and are not physically able to do it themselves. There are about 55 camps held in the summer months, repairing over 300 homes across South Carolina. Depending on the need, volunteers may be called upon to repair a leaky roof or rotten floor, replace broken windows or doors, or rebuild porches. All work is offered at no charge to the families involved.

Salkehatchie has been active in Newberry County since the 1990s and has touched well over 180 families. Our goal is to make homes warm, dry, safe, and more comfortable for those living there while doing so with a Christian attitude and sharing the love of Christ with all. The Newberry camp usually runs during the third week of July. In 2019, we repaired homes for eight families throughout Newberry County, including Newberry, Little Mountain, Prosperity, and Whitmire. Most return home realizing that they have received much more than they have given – and both homeowners and camp participants remember their experience for a lifetime.

Like many other things, COVID left us unable to serve for the last three years. Our Newberry camp will restart the week of July 16 and we are ready! Registration opens around March of each year, and each participant pays $250 to attend. This fee covers some of the costs of room and board and construction materials, but we rely heavily on donations for the many things it takes to make our camp successful. Local churches provide meals during the week. Local businesses provide donations and other assistance. Individuals and organizations provide snacks, water, and Gatorade for our work sites. Most importantly, many cover us in prayer as we prepare for camp and work throughout the week. Thank you to all local businesses, churches, groups, individuals – everyone who supports us in each way. We could not do it without you. To volunteer, support, or learn more about Salkehatchie Summer Service in Newberry, find us on Facebook by searching for Salkehatchie Summer Service (Newberry, SC) or visit www.salkehatchie.org.