It's "the people" who have made all the Extreme Home Repair projects possible through the years.

It's the 100 to 200 volunteers who come together and dedicate their time to the annual home renovation projects hosted and coordinated by the Aldergrove Seventh Day Adventist's Acts of Kindness Ministry.

And it's also hundreds of business people in the region who step up - whether directly asked or not - and donate supplies, services, and expertise.

It's all of these people who help retrofit homes in desperate need of TLC, and credit is owed to every one of them for ultimately make an invaluable difference in the lives of a family in need, said project volunteer Lorne Brownmiller.

"If we didn't have our sup-porters, we couldn't do anything of this magnitude," added Brownmiller, who has been involved with the program since its inception a decade ago.

While each project varies in size and scope, he noted that an average of $70,000 worth of supplies go into each home repair, with about 70 to 80 per cent of that donated. The rest of the money is fundraised.

That's added to about $100,000 to $120,000 worth of labour that is all donated, Brownmiller said.

"That's pretty incredible," he noted, , adding with a chuckle: "This is kind of like a virus, you get involved in it, and you just keep coming back. but in a good way."

This time out, the AOK team is renovating the home of single mother Cathy Dunn, and her two sons Ian and Jamie.

"It's another great project, and another wonderful family we're getting the privilege of helping and serving," Brownmiller said, noting this is the 11th home repair in 10 years. The team completed two home renovations last year.

This year's project will be to retrofit a 1980s rancher that will require about 60 to 70 per cent of the structure to be stripped down to the studs.

"The biggest issue was a leaking roof," Brownmiller said, noting water damage caused extensive mold issue over the course of the past few years.

This year's project will also requires a lot of fencing - both panels and posts - as well as other landscaping materials, new furniture, cultured stone for the exterior of the house and fireplace, doors, windows, insulation, kitchen appliances and materials, and much more.

It's early in the game still, Brownmiller said, noting the actual Extreme Home Repair is set for a 10-day window in May.

But that said, the AOK team has already been reconnected with many of its existing business partners.

For instance, Brownmiller said, it is the kindness and generosity, as well as attention to detail from companies like Nufloors in Langley, which has been on board for more than eight years, that impress him.

Members of the Nufloors staff are always asking - months ahead - how they can help. And, they frequently visit the home multiple times to take measurements and to ensure all the homeowner's needs will be met, he explained.

There are many other companies like that, which are vested in making life better for local families, that are already aboard for 2013. Now the job, he said, will be to foster new relationships.

In addition to specific materials that are needed this year, Brownmiller is hoping to collect gift cards that can be redeemed for building supplies.

"Every year, as you get into the project, you need more and more building supplies," Brownmiller said, noting surprises seem to lurk behind walls, under floors, or in the ceilings and are uncovered once demolition begins.

He noted the supply requirements will be listed on the church website, and any businesses interested in helping are invited to visit the church's website at www.aokaldergrove.org or call the church at 604-856-5830.

rhooper@langleyadvance.com