Mission: Makeover

Eddie Fields looked at the faded blue building on 208 Martin Luther King Blvd. and had a vision of his youth.

He recalled the former Gulf gas station's pumps, the new tires sliding onto stylish hot rods and the constant buzz of activity at the shop, owned by the late Willie and Charlie Mae King.

"This was one of the first black businesses around here," said Fields, summoning to mind the station's heyday. "This place was jumping."

On Monday, the old station, now King's Corner Store, was jumping again.

A congregation of 50 students from Hope Fellowship Church in Frisco, Tex. scraped the blue paint from the building's façade, the initial step in what promises to be a glittering transformation.

The middle school students were campers with TEAMeffort, an organization that brings together Christian youth, volunteers and church leaders for mission projects throughout the country and overseas.

In the third week of a month-long stay in Port St. Joe, TEAMeffort campers from Michigan, Orlando, Georgia Alabama, Missouri and Texas have performed a variety of tasks.

They have painted houses, constructed wheelchair ramps and outdoor sheds, mended fences, cleaned yards, sealed decks and generally done whatever was asked of them.

Long Avenue Baptist Church is hosting the campers during their stay in town, and the Christian Community Development Fund (CCDF) has assigned them a list of rehabilitation projects.

A non-profit organization, the CCDF partners with Gulf County churches to improve the homes of low-income, elderly and handicapped residents.

CCDF director has welcomed the help of the TEAMeffort campers in expanding the organization's outreach.

"The people I know that need help but we (the CCDF) can't get to, I save for the kids to do," said Sealey.

"It's a lot of work at first, but when they're gone, they've completed a lot of stuff."

Fields, who works with Sealey at the CCDF, selected the corner store for its "historic" quality.

A trailer, located at 2076 Trout Avenue in Highland View also received some attention on Monday, courtesy of a delegation from Grace Community Church in Mount Vernon, Mo.

"We've been talking about missions and getting active and giving back to our communities," said Grace's youth director Steve Hicks, who hoped to give his charges some needed perspective.

"I think most people in the heart of America don't realize how good they have it. We're trying to encourage developing a servant's heart and being the hands and feet of Christ."

Liz Glaser and Sarah Elliott busily primed the trailer's exterior, which will soon feature a new blue and tan paint job.

The teens said they enjoyed meeting the trailer's owner, Susan Clark, whom they described as touchingly grateful.

"She was surprised that teenagers would have a servant's heart," said Glaser.

Back at the corner store, camp leaders Brad Wilkinson and Heather Allen kept a watchful eye over the campers, who arrived in town the night before.

"The first day is usually very intense. Then everyone gets tired and hot the second day," laughed Wilkinson.

To motivate the students, the leaders have arranged side trips to the beach and Shipwreck Island.

The cozy quarters at Long Avenue Baptist – which has only four showers for 70 kids - have also brought the campers closer together.

Allen described the lodgings as cramped, but "great."

"It works well. It's a time to really humble yourself," she said.

Residents can expect to see the corner store fully painted by the end of the week, in an unusual color scheme suggested by Fields.

"It's not University of Florida (orange and blue), but it's not far from that," quipped Wilkinson, who's hoping for the best.

Fields believes the renovation will inspire others along Martin Luther King to take greater pride in their buildings' upkeep.

"Once they see this painted, hopefully everybody will get in gear and want to do the same," he said.

Camper Cynthia Castro was confident that the neighborhood would be impressed with her handiwork.

"Everybody's going to be happy," she said.

Taking a break from his scraping duties, fellow camper Frankie Jesse suggested a little post-painting celebration.

"Party at the new place," he exclaimed.

 "Everybody's invited," echoed Castro.