Aiken church helps family weatherize home for annual Project War - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

Boarding up plywood, clearing out shrubs is what more than 20 volunteers came did this weekend in Aiken. They're helping the McElmurray family make their house "winter-ready."

"I'm glad. We were happy. We were so happy we wanted to cry," said Theresa McElmurray.

McElmurray has lived with her husband in their home on Swamp Road for more than 15 years. But after having a stroke, Mr. McElmurray was unable to keep up with maintenance on the house. They were put on a list with the United Way, a non-profit that coordinates with charities across the country to help resolve community issues. The organization passed the McElmurray's name onto the Grace United Methodist Church congregation as part of their annual Project Warm.

"The warm project was started by our new minister, Jim Dennis, when he came here about three years ago" said Sharon Fernstron, a member of Grace United Methodist Church. "We've just been doing homes and yards and fixing bathrooms and all the other things that you've seen so far."

On the inside, the volunteers are replacing the kitchen sinks, toilets in the bathroom and closet doors in the bedrooms. Outside they're weatherizing parts of the roof, sawing down wild weeds and trees and repainting the home.

"It makes you feel good, because there might be a time when we need some help" said Bill Pinkson, a member of Grace United Methodist Church. "There's somebody out there who could help us. And also, it makes the community realize churches do much more than just collect donations."

Members of the church say they consider Project Warm their mission trip, instead of flying to another country they're helping members of their own community.