Video: “Go and Serve” volunteers revive Cedar House Shelter in Cedar Rapids

A group of 158 volunteers from Knox Presbyterian Church in Naperville, Illinois, came to Cedar Rapids last week as part of the church's annual mission trip 'Go and Serve,” which sends volunteers around the country to work in areas in need of assistance.

This year, the effort is in collaboration with local non-profit Matthew 25, who helped the visiting group find opportunities to improve the community, as well as organizing temporary residence at Coe College.

Twenty of the 158 high school and adult volunteers spent their time at Cedar House Shelter, 603 2nd St. SW, a temporary housing facility for the city's homeless population that had been closed for re-evaluation.

The group of 20 was split into two teams-one for indoor repairs and one outdoor.

One of the volunteers, Jill Wittwer, 44, of Naperville, Illinois, said they are trying to make the house a little more 'vibrant, sparkly, and nice for the neighborhood…just giving a little TLC to this beautiful place.”

A re-opening on Sunday, June 22nd, from 5 to 7 p.m., is open to the public and includes a cookout in the shelter's backyard.