Project 'J': Support still needed to bring family better home

Members of three different churches and associations are coming together to build a better home for a family in need.

Jerry Grenke is a well-known face around Daleville Avenue and downtown Enterprise. He can sometimes be seen walking down the sidewalk or offering assistance to others if it's needed.

What many may not know is that Grenke, and his mother Allean Caudill, both Enterprise natives, currently live in a house that many would consider inadequate.

The house, according to Caudill, has holes in the floor and plastic placed over where windows should be.

Grenke said he has to sleep in the bathtub when the temperatures are low in order to keep some semblance of heat.

Soon, though, Grenke and his mother may have a nicer, newer home to live in, thanks to the help of members of First United Methodist Church of Enterprise, Damascus Baptist Church and the Coffee County Baptist Association.

According to Regena Lacey, a member of the Explorer's Sunday school class at FUMC, the project to build the family a home, called Project "J," started almost two years ago.

"Jerry and Allean just need some help; they need a break," Lacey said. "They have never asked for a hand-out, and their housing situation is very insufficient."

Lacey said the class initially searched for houses to purchase for the pair, but "those efforts became frustrated."

Eventually, a conversation between fellow Explorer's member Rainer Cotter and Damascus Baptist member Jason Windham led to more groups becoming involved with Project "J."

Construction on the new house should begin in a few weeks, and the hope is that the house is finished within a few months. Once the new house is complete, the mother and son's old house will be demolished.

Though construction is ready to be started, Lacey said that funds are still needed to keep construction going.

"Most of the labor for the construction is being donated," Lacey said. "The biggest need right now is funds for building materials. We have several local vendors who have agreed to discount their prices for material, and the building team is ready to start, but we need funds to purchase the materials.

"So far, we have around $3,600 raised, but we need at least another $15,000."

All donations to Project "J" can be made to First United Methodist Church, located at 217 South Main Street, Enterprise, AL, 36330 (Attn: "Project J") or Damascus Baptist Church, located at 774 County Road 547, Elba, AL, 36323.

Caudill said she was ready to move into her new home.

"It means a lot to me," she said. "I'm really happy about it."

What does Grenke think about his new future home?

"I like it so much."