Cove House gets facelift from Five Hills royalty

Special to Leader-Press 
 
Junior Miss Five Hills Hayley Sawyer used a high-pressure water spray to remove loose paint, mold, grime, dust, mud, chewing gum and dirt from the buildings surrounding Cove House on Saturday. 
Sawyer and the Copperas Cove Five Hills royalty worked as a team to power wash all of the homes for the homeless residents living at the shelter and also paint the trim on the homes, the wheelchair ramps, and the metal railing to give the non-profit organization a fresh, new look as fall approaches.
The task was the service project of Sawyer whose platform of service is helping the homeless. Sherwin-Williams of Copperas Cove donated the supplies for the project.
“Before I set out to request the paint donation from Sherwin-Williams, I went by the Cove House Emergency Shelter and saw the condition of the buildings in need of power washing, peeling ramps and railing and couldn’t wait to get started on this project with my sister royalty,” Sawyer said. “We power washed the ramps, concrete porches, walkways and siding on the buildings, making them look new. The painting on the ramps and rails completed the beautiful makeover with green paint matched by specialists just for Cove house. Working through the heat that day, I felt wonderful knowing we made a huge impact for those residents of Cove House.”
Cove House Executive Director Brian Hawkins welcomed the titleholders and their families as temperatures climbed into the 90-degree range early in the morning.
“They got out there on a hot, humid day and worked for several hours to help us have a nicer place to help those in need,” Hawkins said. “We want people to have hope that they can have a nice home again and these young ladies helped us do that.”
Five Hills Ambassador Briana Liles said it was very hard work, but that it felt good to help Cove House. 
“I have learned that not everyone has money to afford food, clothes, cars, and houses of their own,” the 10-year old said. “It felt so good to work as a team and make the Cove houses look nice on the outside. 
“I think it will make the residents feel better about staying there and maybe give them motivation to keep it looking nice. It always feels great to do things for others who can’t repay us with anything but appreciation.”
Kevin Keller, chairman of the Cove House Board of Directors, worked side-by-side with the royalty and their families.
“On behalf of the Cove House Board of Directors, I express my sincere gratitude to the members of the Miss Five Hills Scholarship Program for their efforts this past weekend in helping us to beautify the property,” Keller said. “Their efforts have increased the curb appeal of the emergency homeless shelter and for that, we are so very thankful.”