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Teen Volunteers Spruce Up More Than 70 Homes In West Allegheny

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – More than 70 local homes are being spruced up this week by teens from all over the country.

Five students have been hard at work inside Mildred Kline's home in North Fayette Township.

"Mostly we've been painting the house," student Lucas Walz of Kentucky said."We fixed a deck outside where the door was scraping. And it's been awesome meeting all these awesome people."

Kline says the paint job was desperately needed and without the "absolutely marvelous" teens, it wouldn't have happened.

Homeowners all over the West Allegheny School District and surrounding communities are having similar work done this week thanks to the first ever West Allegheny Work Camp, a project of heroes supporting heroes. More than 420 high school students and nearly two dozen volunteers from seven states are in town to rehab the homes of those in need.

"For the community, it means that for those who normally would not be able to get their houses repaired, whether they're underprivileged or disabled or elderly, they can get that done at no cost, because all the materials are supplied and, of course, the work is done by all of these young people," camp director Tom Sollars said.

The effort helps struggling homeowners, but it's also rewarding for the teens. The camp is affiliated with the West Allegheny Ministerial Association, and the teens say it's a great opportunity to grow their faith.

"You do make a lot of friendships," student Caitleen Copeland of Virginia said. "And then, we have evening programs. And it's nice to learn things about God and that, so it's just a really nice atmosphere with people."

"To see the individual growth of young people from when they arrive on a Sunday, and until they leave the following Saturday, it's just something to see," Sollars said.

The teens will tackle more than 70 houses this week.

"It's such an awesome thing, just for the benefit to the residents," volunteer Jeff Lutz said. "But, not only, just to bring everybody together and get everybody involved, it's just such a neat event."

The teens head home on Saturday.

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