Rockingham residents' lives better off after World Changers come to town

The World Changers crew that came to Rockingham County last week has lived up to its name.

The Dickersons live in a home at 155 Miles Road, just outside Reidsville. Homeowner Kim Dickerson has a son, Hunter, 11, and two daughters, Jessica, 12, and Brittany, 14.

Brittany has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. The World Changers crew installed a ramp on the side of the Dickersons’ home and made it handicapped-accessible.

“I’m glad they’re doing it because it’s going to help my sister get around better,” said Hunter.

“Anything that helps her makes us happy,” said Kim. “We would never be able to do it on our own, so we’re very thankful for what they’re doing.”

Brittany had a wheelchair ramp, but it was too steep and wasn’t up to code. Whenever it rained, Brittany traversed mud puddles to get to the van. The new wheelchair ramp meets the van’s ramp, so Brittany no longer has to worry about getting wet or dirty, or feeling every bump along the way.

“It’s a gradual slope, so it won’t jar her as she’s going down,” said Whitley Todd, a member of the World Changers team and a rising junior at Western Kentucky.

“We’re her ‘Extreme Makeover’ team,” said Todd’s cousin, Erin Jackson, a rising college freshman. She said Brittany tried to get on the TV show several times but never made it.

But Brittany’s home got an “Extreme Makeover” from the World Changers team anyway. The team installed grab bars in the shower, placed an aluminum ramp between the living room and the kitchen and changed the hinges on the doors so they will open up either way, easing Brittany’s access.

“We’re trying to give her more independence,” said Todd.

The World Changers crew could think of no one they would rather help more than Brittany. The rising ninth-grader at Rockingham County High School always has a smile.

“She sits out here in the heat and cheers us on,” said Todd.

“She has the best attitude no matter what,” said Jackson.

Brittany appreciates the help.

“We were talking about it last night and she just started crying,” said Kim.

The World Changers crew has had help transforming the Dickersons’ home. Brittany’s brother, Hunter, and sister, Jessica, have given the crew a hand on the projects. Several of the neighbors loaned the team building supplies. Hall Well & Plumbing of Reidsville even donated an auger to help the team drill a hole for the wheelchair ramp.

“It’s about getting the community involved,” said Vickie Tarleton, a member of the World Changers summer staff. “They’ve gone above and beyond to make us feel welcome here.”

This year marked the first time a World Changers crew has come to Rockingham County.

“Since this year was the first year in Rockingham County, I believe that the community has accepted us. I believe that the kids here made a positive example,” said Kelly Janzen, World Changers project coordinator. “I am very thankful that we will be able to continue to work in Rockingham County.”

World Changers will return in 2009.

“It’s a real servant heart sort of thing,” said Tarleton. Beyond the manual labor, the students had a greater purpose for their World Changers mission: To share the love of Jesus Christ with Rockingham County.

“We invited the neighbors and talked to them about Jesus,” said Chelsea Griffin, 18, of Reidsville. She worked on the World Changers crew that re-roofed the home of Havord Hopper at 607 Beech St.

“You get closer to God. You get to witness to people and it gives you confidence in talking to people about Jesus,” said Eben Sanders, 15, of Oneonta, Ala., another member of the Beech Street crew.

The students’ love of Jesus and eagerness to share it with others touched 76-year-old Virginia Brown of 619 North St. in Eden. The World Changers re-roofed Brown’s 45-year-old home.

“They are beautiful people and they are Christian people,” said Brown. She said she gets a blessing by being outside on the front lawn with the crew during their lunch break — having a time of devotion and reading the Scriptures.

“I’ve been so happy this week. I’ve just been filled up. I’m so excited,” said Brown, with a smile. She said she called all of her relatives about the World Changers coming to her home. The World Changers crew is also working on the home of Brown’s cousin, Helen Sims, who lives on Friendly Road in Eden.

Brown’s niece, Elretha Perkins, filled out a grant application for assistance with home repairs two years ago. Brown began to think nothing would come of the application until a county official told her two weeks ago about World Changers.

“I’m just thanking God for the blessing he’s sending my way,” said Brown. “I’m just overjoyed this is happening to me.”

Brown said she likes to do things for other people, so it’s a blessing to have people doing some-thing for her. She wouldn’t have been able to afford a new roof.

“It’s hard on a fixed income,” she said. “You know the price of a roof.”

Mae Cathern Anderson appreciates the World Changers crew’s re-roofing of the home of her 92-year-old mother, Havord Hopper.

“She needed a new roof and they’re doing it out of the goodness of their heart,” said Anderson. “To me, giving back makes the world. It unites people together. I think it’s really great.”

She said she has been impressed by how friendly and willing to work the young people have been.

“To give back at such an early age is something that’s instilled in them,” said Anderson.

Hopper broke a hip and femur, so she is going through rehabilitation. Anderson knows how much the World Changers’ roof repairs are going to mean to her mother once she gets back home.

Griffin and Sanders said working on the World Changers team has been humbling. Griffin said the hard work has taught her responsibility.

“You get a new perspective,” said Griffin. “You think your life is hard … It makes you appreciate what you have.” Sanders agreed.

“You learn a lot of discipline for yourself,” he said.

Todd and Jackson found contentment even in tough times by following the example of their homeowner’s daughter, Brittany.

“No matter what your situation is, you can still find joy in everything,” said Todd.

“No matter what you’re given, make the best of it,” said Jackson.

Staff writer Miranda Baines can be reached at mbaines@reidsvillereview.com or 349-4331, ext. 35.