It seems lots of people in Langley and Aldergrove want to help their friends and neighbours this holiday season.
Since a story published on the Langley Advance’s web and Facebook pages about nominations being open for the Extreme Home Repair (EHR) project, there has been a huge response from the public.
Aldergrove Adventist Church coordinated EHR through its Acts of Kindness program.
Pastor Mike Dauncey said the response has been overwhelming and that EHR has been “inundated” with nominations.
“We are aiming to help people who aren’t able to fix up their own homes due to financial or health reasons,” Dauncey said.
In May, the recipients move out of their home to allow the team of roughly 200 volunteers – including tradespeople – to do their renovation work, with the reveal on Victoria Day.
Dozens of local businesses also lend their support and supplies to the program. The news is typically delivered to the homeowner Christmas Eve.
“We get whoever is available, as many as can make it during the day,” Dauncey said. “We go as a group and we usually give them flowers and have a video camera rolling, and quite often there are tears of joy and disbelief.”
Dauncey said telling a family they have been chosen as recipients “is a really fun moment; a rewarding experience.”
“It’s just so great to bring joy into someone’s life,” Dauncey said. “It’s such a great feeling.”