SALS Housing, the non-profit housing program affiliated with the Southern Appalachian Labor School (SALS), once again is bringing an influx of volunteers who are working on houses in Fayette County this year.

According to John David, SALS director, nearly 2,000 volunteers from colleges, universities, faith-based organizations and Global Volunteers are involved.

“The amount of spending they contribute to food, lodging and supplies in this area, in addition to the value of their donated services, is enormous,” he said. “Many of the groups add on activities, such as whitewater rafting as well.”

Already having completed a week-long visit are members of Global Volunteer teams and university students from Florida State University, Rutgers, Boston University, University of Miami, University of Illinois, Central Michigan University, Indiana State University, Saginaw Valley State University, University of Connecticut, Iowa State, Allegheny College (Pa.) and Carroll Community College. New arrivals include church groups, numerous contingents from Global Volunteers and large faith-based groups through Group Workcamps and Christian Endeavor of Pennsylvania.

The volunteers learn about SALS through several websites, such as www.sals.info, and workcamp catalogs. SALS if one of a handful of domestic sites for Global Volunteers, which heavily promoted the SALS site in major publications such as The Ladies Home Journal, as a “working vacation opportunity.”

“As a result, SALS has become a destination address for volunteer services,” David said.

The university volunteers stay at the SALS Community and Conference Center complex in Beards Fork, which includes the former Beards Fork Church of God and a new dormitory. The larger groups with Group Workcamps and Christian Endeavor stay at WVU Tech, Valley High School and Rev. Terrance Hamm’s Living Waters Church in Montgomery.

Evening programs are arranged and include discussions of the local economy and culture by John David, Artie Mullins, Brenda Winter, Kathryn South-Adkins, Vickie Smith and members of the SALS staff and board. Musical programs are provided by Billy Payne, Randy Gilkey and other performers.

The volunteers are distributed among the many SALS crews to work along with YouthBuild AmeriCorps members. Work will include home weatherizations, home rehabilitation, new home construction and apartment rehabilitation.

Anyone interested in further information should contact Debbie Spurlock at SALS, 304-779-2772.