Charles Dannel, homeowner of 710 J.L. Lomax Drive, watches the crew paint the front porch during the Southern Hospitality Group Workcamp Wednesday morning.

Volunteers with the Southern Hospitality Group Workcamp have been working diligently to help local homeowners with repairs, painting and minor construction.

Homeowner Charles Dannel expressed his joy of having the volunteers around with the changes that are taking place around his home.

“It’s uplifting to my spirit. To see the energy the kids bring makes me ecstatic,” said Dannel.

Dannel said he looks forward to seeing the volunteers each day and admires their work ethic and positive attitudes while working on his house. Dannel added that the entire experience has been uplifting and the volunteers are a joy to have around.

“We moved here in 1956 and my dad would love to see the improvements being made,” said Dannel.

Reconstruction coordinator Richard Joyner encouraged Dannel to have changes and repairs made to his home.

“Mr. Joyner is very personable, and when he first approached me I was like, sure. God knows it needed it,” said Dannel.

The volunteers stem from a variety of different work groups around the community and there is an adult with each group, according to City of Valdosta Public Information Officer Sementha Mathews.

“The camp is very organized and we got great leadership,” said Mathews.

Jonathan Cronkhite, who has been with the group for four years, said that the group works well together.

“One of the great things about this camp, every student has a leadership role. They all work together to make the project complete,” said Cronkhite.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) utilizes data from the census to determine what houses need assistance.

A contractor with the group signs a contract a year before the site is planned out. Qualifications for the program are the resident has to be over 62 years old or disabled and living on a moderate or low income.

Joyner added that the goal of the volunteers is to make the changes within four and a half days based on the initial plans of the homeowner and contractor.

Developer Bob Turley has been a part of this project for 23 years and says he loves what he does.

“We are teaching servanthood. Rather than talking about it in church, the kids are actually going out and doing it,” said Turley.

Turley says that his job is focused on finding people like Joyner and the assistant to the city manager, Mara Register, and find ways to help the community with development planning.

“My personal favorite thing about this is seeing the residents and the bond with the volunteers. Usually they keep in touch afterwards,” said Turley.

Joyner said that the experience is a positive one for both the volunteer and homeowner.

“You feel so much positively around them; it has been a great partnership,” said Joyner.