News

Church forms popsicle brigade for hot construction workers

August 12, 2009

By Kimberly Dick, The Rock Hill Herald

When temperatures heat up, a cool popsicle hits the spot.
And Monday, on one of the hottest days of the year, construction workers along S.C. 901 were provided cold treats from Mount Holly United Methodist Church.

The church's youth group took the church bus down S.C. 901 from Interstate 77 to Saluda Street, a stretch being widened as a $20 million "Pennies for Progress" project, to pass out popsicles and provide relief for the workers out in the 95-degree heat.

"You need a squirt?" Courtney White, director of Youth Ministries, asked one worker before she sprayed him with cold water.

"We're out here to cool the guys and gals off on a hot day," White said. "To show them we're truly appreciative for all their hard work."

She estimates they handed out at least 50 popsicles to workers along the stretch.

Mary Johnson stopped working for a few minutes Monday morning to grab popsicles for her co-workers on heavy machinery the other side of the street.

"When it gets real hot you get tired quickly," Johnson said. "It's a blessing to have people like this giving relief."

"Thank you," another worker shouted from across the street.

Monday's high hit 95, tying July 26's temperature as the hottest day of the summer, said Luke Robinson with the National Weather Service in Greer.

While today's high is expected to reach 96, Robinson said a cool front will move through tonight bringing about a 25 percent chance of rain. Relief from the sweltering heat comes Wednesday as the highs are predicted to top out at 90 degrees, Robinson said. The chance of thunderstorms is about 50 percent.

Construction to widen the 3-mile stretch on S.C. 901 to four lanes and realignment of the intersection of Saluda Street and Albright Roads is moving forward, said project spokesman Earl Capps.

Work is expected to continue on that stretch into 2010, but Capps said the intersection will be complete soon.

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