Champlin Church Hosts Annual 'Block Of Blessing'

CHAMPLIN, Minn. (WCCO) -- A local church is giving back to their community in a big way.

Sunday was the annual "Block of Blessing," organized by Riverway Church in Champlin. Each year, the church picks a city block and gives it a giant makeover - all with donated time and materials.

They do that by donating labor and materials to the homeowners on that block, free of charge. About 150 to 200 volunteers went to the homes on Sunday to help with whatever was needed.

Organizers say the day is almost as fun for the volunteers as it is for the homeowners.

"When you can come and see the major changes done over a whole block in one day, it's very rewarding and makes it worth it," Jeremiah Star, team pastor or Riverway Church, said. "We have people who are really excited to get here early in the morning and do yard work, which is kind of crazy."

This year's city blocks were the 117th and 118th blocks of Edgewood Avenue in Champlin. Volunteers helped with landscaping projects like trimming trees and removing rocks. They also replaced siding, fixed a roof and did other work on the homes.