By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
At first glance, given the option to trade 80-degree weather and a cold drink under the Mexican sunshine for rainy skies in America’s hardest hit city wielding a sledgehammer might be a tough trade.
But when removing the layers of deeper meaning it’s a trade 15 local kids are happy to make.
In lieu of a stereotypical spring break adventure, 15 kids from Christ the Redeemer Church are trading sandals for work boots as they get ready help improve areas of Detroit. For three days the group will go between improving a park and continuing a project entitled ‘Farm City.?
It was initially called the McLaren 7; located at McLaren and Lasher Road on the city’s West side. Seven abandoned homes used to stand in that area before the Motor City Blight Breakers (MCBB) took them down to make way for a city block-size farm.
The 15 teenagers, who will be chaperoned by six adults, will depart their church on Waldon Road at 8:30am and will work until 4:30pm. In addition to ‘Farm City,? the group will be working on a nearby park to help improve its quality as children will soon be utilizing its facilities.
‘We’ll be doing anything from raking the park, removing dilapidated fencing, picking up trash,? Youth Ministry Leader Lisa Andridge said.
Christ the Redeemer Church has partnered with the MCBB for 16 years. The church originally began summer activities involving the same tasks but as interest grew more dates were added to the calendar. Twelve of those years they have have worked with the non-profit organization during spring break.
‘Our kids have been working in that area for that last several years sledgehammering the driveways out.? said Andridge. ‘It’s different living in the suburbs and they’ve gotten to meet other folks and see how they live and see things we take for granted.?
Christ the Redeemer developed a think tank of ideas to try and develop mission trips that could take them across continents. As ideas came one just continued to make sense ? Detroit.
‘We’ve talked about doing mission trips all over the world but there’s a need right here in our own back yard,? she said. ‘I think it’s empowering to see the difference in the communities.?
MCBB has been hand wrecking blighted Detroit structures for over 27 years. Since their creation, they’ve torn down more than 300 abandoned properties and recycled the material into their rehab projects. In 2008 MCBB teamed up with Fertile Ground Collective to make Farm City. They received $120,000 in funding to removing blighted structures to create the agricultural inspired city.
The Blight Busters have also established an artist village and have attracted artists and volunteers extending all the way from China and the Middle East. Co-Founder John George credits his group with transforming the city on nothing else but the sweat and dedication to improving Detroit.
‘We want to save the world and we’re starting with Detroit first,? George said. ‘We’re making like better everyone around us and it’s great watching people eat healthier and live safer.?
For more information on MCBB there’s always an open volunteer show-up at Motor City Java and Tea House on Saturdays at 9 a.m. It’s located at 17336 Lasher Rd. in Detroit and for people seeking more information you can call 313-255-4355.

The Orion 15 will be kicking off MCBB’s year or fixing, painting, beautifying and restoring. The commitment to volunteering in Detroit for over a decade has instilled a sense satisfaction among the churches group and can really make an impact.
‘It’s very powerful to see that response of ‘I’m one person and I can make a difference.?? Andridge said. ‘Coming together with so many volunteers you can get so much done and I think they always love to meet the kids of the neighborhood.