Workers begin transforming hotel into homeless shelter

LEESBURG -- More than 50 volunteers worked away Thursday under the morning sun, ripping out old lumber ceiling joists from a former motel. A new roof will be installed next week, and the inn will soon become a shelter for homeless families.

The old Big Bass Motel near the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Main Street in Leesburg is taking on new life as the Samaritan Inn, a transitional housing facility to help families affected by rising unemployment and the loss of their homes. 

The inn is a ministry of First Baptist Church of Leesburg.

"For us, this is another way to share the love of Jesus Christ," volunteer Jack Logan said. "This has been a vision of the church for years."

Project manager Chester Wood said nearly 20 units will be renovated in the project.

"With the economy the way it is, we have a lot of homeless children that live with their families in the counties," he said, adding there are "hundreds and hundreds" affected by homelessness. "We want to have a place so that we can get these homeless children into a safe environment, and to help the families get back on their feet."

Woods was all smiles watching volunteers in action.

"A lot of the volunteers that we have here are from St. Timothy Catholic Church in The Villages, and they have been a very strong supporter financially and with volunteer help," Wood said. "We have a lot of different denominations -- Presbyterian, Lutheran, other Baptist churches and community churches -- this has become a ministry of the community of faith all working together for a common good."

The goal is to be able to take in the first homeless family in May, said the Rev. Cliff Lea, senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Leesburg.

"Our church has had a heart for the homeless," Lea said, adding the church has its ministry village, which provides shelter for women and children, a pregnancy care center, benevolence center, medical center, men's shelter and counseling center.

"Now we feel like we're going to be able to go the longer haul," Lea said of the shelter for families. "We want to break the cycle; we don't want to perpetuate homelessness. We want to see people developing life skills and help them to move on."

Lea noted the church has wanted the Big Bass Motel property for years.

"But, the timing wasn't right," the pastor said. "They (former owners) approached us with a better price and we really feel like God engineered the time and circumstances. And though we still need donations, we are really grateful for how God has provide already."

The church purchased the $550,000 property last summer with a $100,000 down payment, according to Lea. Monthly mortgage payments are $3,300 a month for 20 years.

"We really need donations of operating cash," Wood added.

Donations may be sent to Christian Care Center C/O The Samaritan Inn 115 N.13th St. Leesburg, Fla. 34748. Those interested in volunteering on the project may contact Wood at chesterwood at fbcleesburg.org, or call him at (352) 314-8733.

 Link to Original Story in Daily Commercial