Union County volunteers renovate longtime family home

UNION COUNTY — Dozens of volunteers across Union County have had all hands on deck since Friday morning working to restore a more than 100-year-old home.

The faith-based men’s group F3 initiated the effort joined by area churches and local contractors who volunteered their services for free.  The group started raising money for the project on GoFundMe, with an initial goal of $5,000.

Within weeks, they raised more than $13,000.

F3 member Sean Walters said the volunteers decided on a home renovation project as a way to put their faith in action.

He said it was also their opportunity to repay longtime Monroe resident Debbie Mew, a mother and grandmother.

“She helps people,” he said. “She feeds a lot of people on this block, so for us, it was a way to honor somebody who helps other people.”

Volunteers started renovations on the floor of the home, but quickly discovered there was more to be done.

Walters described floors that had begun to sink away from the walls, and said all the drains underneath the house were disconnected.

“Their kitchen sink was just flowing underneath their house,” he said.

Their work continued into Saturday evening when volunteers installed a new stove, tub, sink and toilet, and they also plan to install a new heating system.

Volunteers hope to reveal the renovations to the Mews on Monday but in the meantime, they are paying for the family to stay in a hotel.

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