HURRICANE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The old adage that charity begins at home has spread to Putnam County.

Hundreds of high school kids from all over the country have spent the last two weeks of their summer vacation improving the homes and lives of total strangers.

Surprisingly enough, they actually paid to do it.

Marian Michel's project was a last minute addition for the REACH work camp crew. The new wheelchair ramp might as well be a gift from heaven for her and her husband.

"My husband is not ambulatory," Michel said. "He's in the hospital right now, and this will be a tremendous help to him. He's gonna love it when he gets home. These guys have done a fantastic job. They're a great bunch of kids. They're very spiritual."

In fact, REACH is a Christian-based program. For the last two weeks, nearly 800 junior and high school age volunteers have worked on 75 construction projects.

All construction materials are bought locally, and the kids have stayed at Hurricane High School for eating, sleeping, showering and fellowship.

Each of the campers pays $400 for the week, with the money going toward materials for the work sites, according to Jeremy Duncan with REACH.

The organization already has scheduled another visit to West Virginia next June. They'll work in Kanawha County and stay at St. Albans High School.