PHOTO BY LISA CARNLEY In a swirl of dust this workman continues to replaster the floors at the new home of Lampasas Mission. A variety of work is under way to make the building usable for the organization, which assists needy Lampasans. For the volunteers at Lampasas Mission, it seems Christmas has come a little early this year -- in the form of a new building purchased with donated funds and continuing community support to refurbish the facility.

And nothing could make Ray and Bonnie Lawrence happier -- except to have donations continue rolling in.

Lampasas Mission, in existence since 2001, has been the Lawrences' ministry for nearly that many years. The couple devote countless hours to improving the facility that provides food, counseling and other essentials to needy Lampasans.

But the Lawrences will be the first to say they aren't doing anything no one else is doing. "We have a large group of volunteers who work hard because this is important to them. Nothing could be done without them," said Mrs. Lawrence.

Through donations, the Lampasas Mission Board of Directors approved the purchase of a 4,200-square-foot building, quadrupling the capacity of its current Fifth Street structure which the mission outgrew in its first year of operations there.

The new building is a blessing, they say, because the client base continues to grow as families struggle in the current economy.

Board members hope to have the new mission building -- the former Lampasas Paint & Body Shop near the Fourth Street bridge -- ready for occupancy by Nov. 1.

"That's a pretty aggressive date," said Lawrence. With so much work still to be done, it will be a push to hit the target date. But if everything falls into place and we have luck on our side, we should come close."

Renovations are projected to cost $30,000, and the Lawrences are hoping county residents will open their hearts and their wallets and give.

From a leaking roof to old floors, refurbishment is needed in all facets. Mrs. Lawrence shared a list of necessary construction supplies: lumber, dry wall, kitchen equipment and appliances, countertops, paint, bathroom fixtures for a handicap-accessible restroom, telephone and computer wiring, floor coverings and more.

Jack Shelton, a board member and frequent volunteer, is doing the frame work on new interior walls, and two air-conditioning units have been donated.

Lampasas Mission volunteers hope the community will donate the remainder of what is needed to finish the building.

Funding that is not initially donated will be borrowed from a bank. "We hope the generosity continues from our friends and neighbors so we can pay off the note and focus on services," said Lawrence.

Donations are the only source of funds thus far for Lampasas Mission, with most coming from churches, businesses and individuals in the county.

Lawrence said the impetus behind the mission was for county churches to be in partnership for a united effort. The board has a liaison (Jean Sutton) who communicates with pastors and youth directors to encourage them to join in Lampasas Mission's efforts. "She is very good at what she does," Lawrence said. "We see this as an ongoing effort.

"Many of our volunteers come from our churches, including pastors who counsel. Churches don't just provide financial support but a whole range of things we need to make Lampasas Mission run like we need it to."

Expanding the scope of services is not a new idea but, until the recent purchase of the building, one that seemed like a far-off dream.

Now, with a move-in date closing in, volunteers are discussing the many uses such a facility can add to the community.

"We have wanted to offer clothing, furniture and household goods for a long time, but we haven't had anywhere to store them," Lawrence said. "If someone's house burned down and they lost everything they had, we want them to be able to come here and get all their basic needs to start over -- from clothing to pots and pans."

Lampasas Mission does not charge for its services nor for the items local residents receive. "That's why the people come to us. We don't ask for money, and we can give them the help they need," said Mrs. Lawrence.

Though it could be an overwhelming prospect to plan for refurbishment of an older facility, the Lawrences said they feel anything but overwhelmed because of the large measure of community support they receive every day.

"Everyone does this because they want to," said Lawrence. "No one here is paid. We all work toward a common goal, and we all understand what is being done here. People still offer to help, and I know the community is going to continue because it's important to them, too."

Mrs. Lawrence said most people like to give back to their community. "We know everyone isn't able to serve, but they try to help in any way they can. Even dropping off plastic grocery bags helps us out."

The couple said their prayers are beginning to be answered with the new building.

"I hope we can continue to offer new services to residents. We are growing in numbers. When gas went up, so did the price of groceries," said Lawrence.

"It affected everyone, and our clientele list went up. Gas and food are still high, and our numbers will continue to grow."

In August, Lampasas Mission served 184 families, representing 694 individuals. "We had 11 new families in just that one month, and that's being open just twice a week." Mrs. Lawrence said.

"We appreciate any type of help the community can give us no matter how small, and we have been blessed by so many caring people," she said. "Whether it's a $5 donation or five minutes of your time, it's just as valuable to us as $5,000 or 5,000 hours of service. All the little things add up."

Lampasas Mission is open Mondays from 6-8 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-3 p.m.

To donate or volunteer, phone 556-5779 and leave a message.