Salkehatchie Summer Service

Teens lend ahand in Blythewood

By TRACY GLANTZ - tglantz@thestate.com

Keeping up with seven children and a home is a lot of work.

But thanks to volunteers with the Salkehatchie Summer Service program, Blythewood residents Barbara and Patrick Canzater got a helping hand recently with some major home renovations.

Their home was one of six in this Northeast Richland town to be worked on as part of the week-long service program, which was sponsored by S.C. United Methodist Conference in the state and, in Blythewood, by Trinity United Methodist Church.

Jeremy Grainger, who helped start the Blythewood camp about nine years ago — after working for 10 years at similar camps statewide — said he didn’t realize the kind of poverty there was in the Blythewood area.

“When you think of Blythewood you think of horses and big houses in the country,” he said. Each year when the camp is over, Grainger is left with the feeling, although temporary, that they’ve helped everyone in need.

About 70 teens and college students, along with 15 adult supervisors participated in the recent session, held las t week.

Barbara Canzater marveled at the work of a youthful crew replacing wallboard in the living room and kitchen.

“They’re working everywhere.” she said, pitching in to sweep up around her home, where volunteers worked on plumbing, interior walls, a front porch and other repairs.

Blythewood residents and others do their part. Trinity United Methodist serves as a gathering place for fellowship, while there are showers at Blythewood High and meals provided by area churches and other volunteers.

Co-director Josh Covert said there is more to the camp than repairing people’s houses.

“It’s not about the wood and the hammer,” Covert said. “It’s about crossing socio-economic lines. It breaks down walls that are very hard to cross demographically.”

Sixteen-year-old volunteer Liz Rogers of Blythewood said she’s glad she’s able to help.

“It’s remarkable that they have so much faith in us,” Rogers said. “It makes me appreciate where I am at in my life.”

The State is highlighting how teens in Richland, Lexington and Kershaw counties are spending their summers. E-mail suggestions to dkujawa@thestate.com