This was one of the group of volunteers that recently help during a community work day at The Vault teen and community center.

Courtesy of Norman Emery

CLINTON — Over 50 people from 13 organizations and businesses showed up for The Vault’s “Community Work Day” on September 2 to help with major removal of materials so renovation can begin in the building.

The Clinton community showed its support for The Vault, a proposed youth community center, by turning up in record numbers to help strip down the old interior so that renovations can begin. 

Organizations sponsored teams of two, and Vault teens made t-shirts with the organization’s name for esprit and easy identification. This was the biggest and most challenging workday because it required scaffolding. The intent in this final demolition stage is to remove all remaining materials on walls and ceiling to expose brick and steel beams in order to gain an industrial aesthetic. Michelle Witzke, founder and the Vault’s current Executive Director, was very pleased with the turn out and what was accomplished. 

“Got to work with some of the coolest people today-over 50! They had some really rough, dusty conditions and some serious hard labor-but great attitudes and accomplished a ton! So proud! We will probably need another couple of demo days to take down some lower level walls, the rest of the ceiling, and the rest of the plaster before we can begin the remodel process.”

Organizations represented on the workday included Clinton High School (principal/students), Clinton Junior High (teachers/students),Clinton Elementary School (teachers), Warner Hospital, Alisa’s Dog Grooming, Edward Jones, Clinton First Christian Church, Clinton United Methodist Church, Quality Glass, Farmer’s Insurance, Habitat for Humanity, Clinton Youth Initiative and ADCS, Inc. Trimble Plumbing  donated 100 percent of its labor installing the plumbing necessary to install the sprinkler system, the first step in the renovation. 

So far $218,000 of the $450,000 needed to complete the community center project has been raised. The current need is $17,000 in order to have the $235,000 to get the main floor operational.  The Teen Fair on the Square , a talent show in July showcasing local teen talent, raised $800 profit and provided an opportunity that reinforces confidence in youth, one of the Vault’s goals. Exelon employees also selected The Vault as their agency of choice for 2017 to receive employees charitable giving.

Visit the Vault’s Facebook page (@thevaultclinton) for updates and upcoming events which include a Vault website and creating a promotional video.

Baum Chevy Buick is sponsoring an upcoming Vault fundraiser during the annual Apple n’ Pork weekend. The dealership will raffle off an enclosed trailer during its annual car show on September 24. The Trailer Raffle is for a 7’x14’ enclosed Discovery cargo trailer; the winning ticket will be drawn during the car show, and one does not need to be present to win. 

Tickets are $10 each or 11/$100, and are on sale now at Baum Chevy Buick until the day of the drawing. Lindsay Campbell, coordinator of the 12th annual car show, said the goal is to help raise even more money for the Vault. Each year the car show has a creative and fun way to raise money for a good local cause and this year it selected the Vault.