Hundreds Of Volunteers Welcome Break From The Memphis Heat

(Memphis) It’s by no means a “cold spell” but the noticeably cooler temperatures in Memphis are certainly welcome.

After eight days of 100-plus degrees, people who work outside are ready for a break.

That includes hundreds of volunteers with a Memphis organization called “Service Over Self.”

Maggie Tapscott climbed a ladder in Binghampton and got to work, “It scares me. I don’t like heights. So this is way out of my comfort zone.”

But that fear of heights isn’t Maggie from joining other “Service Over Self” volunteers re-roofing a home.

The Alabama teens are among hundreds of volunteers donating a week of their summer to a “home repair ministry.”  

SOS Executive Director Philip Walkley, “To make homes in the Binghampton/Orange Mound communities warmer, safer and dryer as an expression of Christ’s love.”

It is a labor of love for the SOS “campers” who, up until this week, have been working in temperatures over 100-degrees.

Tapscott is glad the Binghampton roof is a little easier to work on now, “It really has been overcast and a lot cooler. So it’s really nice being up here cause the roof isn’t as hot.”

Still, no one’s taking any chances.

Volunteers limit their time in the air and drink plenty of water.

Luby Strong is getting his roof repaired.

He’s impressed by the teenager’s workmanship and their faith, “They’re very nice people, you know. And we’ve had prayer together. It’s a real nice program.”

Not far away,  another crew from Alabama steps up the pace as the sun ducks behind the clouds for a while.

“It was unbelievable how hot it was last week,” says Pearlie Dotson.

Her home is getting some work done, but she’s been worried about the teenagers in the heat.

She’s thankful for the slight “cool down” and so is Caroline Hare.

The teenager’s been watching the weather forecast and praying for a miracle, “And it said “cool wave” right across the state of Tennessee. And I was like, ‘yes!’ the power of a praying woman.”

SOS is a non-profit organization that uses donations and grant money to purchase tools and materials.

In its 25-year history, more than 20,000 volunteers have repaired more than 700 homes in Memphis.