Starting in the summer of 2009, First Presbyterian and First Christian Reformed Churches have undertaken a joint mission project in the city of Chatham. Over two days a group of volunteers transforms the outside of a house for an individual in need. We have scraped and painted houses, built wheelchair ramps and fences, repaired decks and front porches, replaced eavestroughs, landscaped, and done general cleanup around a house. This is done free of charge as an outreach of love and compassion to the homeowner.
Please note that the Covid-19 pandemic forced us to temporarily halt this project in 2020, and we did not resume until the summer of 2023. We had chosen a deserving homeowner to be the recipient of the project in 2020, and we were finally able to work on that house!
We seek nominations in January for the project taking place later that summer. To that end, we are looking for a homeowner whose home needs some external repair. Nominees must own their home, live on the premises, and have homeowner insurance. Unfortunately because of liability, we are not able to repair roofs and all work must be done outside the home.
If you have this kind of need because of disability or other circumstances or you know of someone that would benefit from this project, please reply in writing to:
Backyard Mission Project
c/o First Presbyterian Church
60 Fifth Street
Chatham Ontario
N7M 4V7
Include in your letter or email:
1. the name and address of the individual(s),
2. what needs to be done around the home,
3. reasons why this would be a worthy project to be undertaken,
4. some assurance of home ownership and home insurance,
5. whether you are the home owner or are nominating someone else.
We will assess these submissions and notify the chosen project.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
Backyard Mission 2023:
Our Backyard Mission 2023 is a wrap, and was a big success. Over 40 volunteers worked on the site on St. George St. Our deserving homeowner’s house and front deck were painted, and a fence was built in the backyard. As well, landscaping was done to level the ground and mulch the flower beds. yard to level it and wood walkways and ramps rebuilt. France was this year’s deserving homeowner chosen through our nomination process three years ago last January! We were honoured and delighted to serve and get to know France, and wish her the best in her renovated home. Our theme this year was “The Healing of the Nations” from Revelation 22.:2
Special thanks to Mark Labadie who was our onsite contractor. Mark has graciously given of his time, talent and tools to this project since its beginning.
The Backyard Mission would like to acknowledge the support of the following
businesses. Their generosity enabled us to accomplish our goals.
Chatham-Kent Home Hardware Building Centre – Keil Dr.
Ross’ Nurserymen
Tim Hortons – 45 Park Ave. E
Harvey’s Chatham
Subway in Dresden
Thanks, of course, to all the volunteers who worked so diligently on site. Thanks as well to the many people who provided lunches and dinner for the volunteers over the two day project. We could not do this project without all of you! This was a super job. Well done!!!
