Students say Y.E.S. to service projects

SANDUSKY — Though school's out for summer, some students opted for a little extra "home work." Last week, nearly 50 local students helped fix up two Sandusky homes with Y.E.S. (youth elect service), a program through local Catholic churches that's been around for 25 years."It began as an outreach of the Catholic parishes of Huron and Sandusky to serve those in need and to help teens grow in their faith," said Colleen Wellington, youth minister at Huron St. Peter's Catholic Church. The program looks for local residents with homes needing extra help. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, students lended a hand restoring homes to their former glory.At 616 Jay St., they painted the home's exterior blue, replaced a portion of the roof and rebuilt a wall in the basement.Homeowner Rhoda Pocock stood in her yard, admiring students' hard work. She's lived in the home for 17 years, having received it from her grandmother."It's an honor to have this done," she said.On their first day of work, students learned about their jobs and wasted no time getting started."They picked up on it quick," Pocock said.At 2617 W. Strub Road, students worked on the home's landscaping, gave it a fresh coat of white paint, among other tasks. The home was built in 1955, but looked brand new."It touched my heart. It looks like the day it was built," homeowner Jean Sheippel said. "They exceeded my expectations and are very unselfish children and adults."When students volunteer, they enjoy putting a smile on residents' faces."I like helping others and making them feel better," SMCC student Gabby Holly said. "It's helping others help themselves."Huron residents and adult volunteers Mary and Brian Murphy, who have served with YES for several years, have encouraged their daughters to get involved in the program."We brought our daughters to help when they were little and they've both helped with YES projects growing up," said Mary, a 20-year volunteer. YES has become well-known in the area that people step up to support its cause. Recently, an generous person paid for the entire project's paint supplies and told the store's owner to not reveal who did it.Others will honk at YES signs when driving by project sites."It's a blessing for the community," Mary said. "We're honored people know our cause and want to help."Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook www.facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodArea teenagers work on 616 Jay Street in Sandusky for the Y.E.S. program with St. Peter's Catholic Church on Friday, June 9, 2017. St. Mary's student Alyssa Harrison, 17, touches up the paint on a railing at 2617 W. Strub Rd. in Perkins Township on Friday, June 9, 2017. Cecil Yeckley, 15, from St. Mary's, helps repair part of the concrete on the house at 616 Jay Street in Sandusky on Friday, June 9, 2017. Volunteers diligently work on a house in Perkins Township on Friday for the Y.E.S. program with St. Peter's Catholic Church. A student volunteer paints on a coat of blue paint to 616 Jay Street in Sandusky on Friday, June 9, 2017. Taking part in the Y.E.S. program, Rece Gimperling, 15, of Huron, paints the house at 616 Jay Street in Sandusky on Friday.