Neighbors Helping Neighbors: Lake Saint Louis' NAPP

Joe Snell dipped a brush into a bucket of his "secret formula"—a mixture of detergent and vinegar—and scrubbed at the mildrewed downspout. "See?" he said. "It's the vinegar. It takes it right off."

Volunteers from Lake Saint Louis' Neighborhood Assistance Preservation Program began several projects at a house on Pyrenees Drive Tuesday. Gutters overflowing with leaves were scheduled to be cleaned out, siding power-washed and rotten boards replaced. The project is expected to last several days.

The volunteer group was the brainchild of Lake Saint Louis resident Joe Snell and Alderman Ralph Sidebottom, who learned of a similar program in O'Fallon. The leaders of that group encouraged them to start an assistance program in Lake Saint Louis.

The group received the city's support in April of 2009. It is staffed, however, by volunteers and funded by donations.

The Lake Saint Louis city website states that NAPP is "a program designed to identify residents in need of assistance in maintaining their homes and/or properties . . . Home ownership can be challenging, and maintenance can be more difficult from some than for others."

Residents with homes in need are referred to the program by the city's . When violations in the city code are noted, Code Enforcement tries to determine if the violations are due to health or financial problems beyond the home owner's control, and if they qualify for assistance from NAPP.

The home on Pyrenees Drive is the group's third project. NAPP volunteers have repainted a home in the same neighborhood and assisted another home owner with the removal of a downed tree.

New volunteers are welcomed.