Church group untrashes trailer park

DALTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - It "looks like a tornado went through it." That's how a neighbor described the Wayside Motor Court when Target 8 investigators exposed the mess left behind at the abandoned trailer park.

That story prompted a small army of church volunteers from Zeeland to take it upon themselves to remove the eyesore in Dalton Township.

"Well, we seen Henry Erb's article on TV8," said Zeeland Peace Reformed Church volunteer Rick Wissink. "And we needed a mission project this summer and we thought that we could do some of God's work here."

The current owner bought the entire trailer park for $200 when the previous owner couldn't pay a $400,000 sewer and water assessment. The trailers were torn down before he unloaded the property, and the new owner is also having trouble paying the assessments.

Diane Veltema organized the effort for the church, and told 24 Hour News 8 they felt "really compassionate for the gentleman that's going througout this at this point. He has owned the property since November of 2011 and has just really felt the weight of the world on his shoulders."

Church members donated the manpower, and local businesses chipped in with the heavy equipment to deal with the rusty nails, splintered wood, broken glass and assorted junk - much of which will be recycled.

"We can't stress enough how much we appreciate that," Veltema said.

The group doesn't know what will happen with the property in the future, and the task ahead is very big.

"It's going to be a while, but you know, many hands make light work," volunteer Wessink said.

The church group will be cleaning the park throughout the summer and need volunteers. If you'd like to help, contact the Zeeland Peace Reformed Church at 616.772.1956.