Mesa veteran earns salute from volunteers who repaint his house
Sep 11, 2014, 11:42 AM | Updated: 12:30 pm
MESA, Ariz. — About 50 volunteers showed up with ladders, buckets of paint and paint brushes at Marine James Church’s home near Dobson Road and University Drive, ready to get to work Thursday.
The group’s action honored the Sept. 11 anniversary as part of the city’s 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance.
“It’s a nice surprise. They had left a flier on the door and said if I needed painting or yard work done to give them a call,” Church said. “I did and qualified for it.
I was worried about the neighbors kicking me out.”
AmeriCorps Vista volunteer coordinator Laura Rodriguez put the project together and sent the flier a few weeks ago. Church was selected in Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. His status as former military added “a special component to the program. It makes us eager to get out here. He’s a great guy,” Rodriguez said.
Church, who grew up in Arkansas, has been here since 1958. The quiet Marine said he doesn’t need thanks for his service.
“I want to thank the service for getting me out of Arkansas and a life of picking cotton,” he said.
The event is part of Love Your Block, a partnership program which encourages communities to help revitalize their neighborhoods one block at a time.