This is the third year that the department has partnered with the Home Team. See the full story in Abby Wiseman’s article, which follows the photos.

Jared White puts down a piece of sod in the backyard. Sod is a strip of grass and soil used to quickly create lawns. (Mitch Thompson photo)

Emily Balzer and Sam Keefer carry in a piece of the new swing set. (Mitch Thompson photo)

Keefer secures the ladder that will lead up to a new wooden playhouse for the children. The house was donated to the family by the Vancouver Golf Club. (Mitch Thompson photo)

With barely half an hour to go before the reveal, Alyssa Chuback and Kasia Kilner quickly plant one of two new trees for the backyard. (Mitch Thompson photo)

Adam Graham lends a hand to the carpenter by hammering the final section of fence into place. (Mitch Thompson photo)

The littlest Yule takes her first ride on her new swing set. The entire family was stunned by the work of the Kwantlen Horticulture students. (Mitch Thompson photo)

By Abby Wiseman

Kwantlen horticulture students got the opportunity to get out of the classroom and put their lessons to practical use last weekend.

While Cornerstone Community Church members were renovating the home of the Yule family in Coquitlam, Kwantlen’s students designed and landscaped the backyard.

This is the third year Kwantlen students have worked with the church and the second time student Alyssa Chuback has been part of the church’s Home Team project.

“Giving back to someone who has given a lot is very rewarding, and it makes you feel good about yourself,” Chuback said.

Stan Kazymerchyk, turfgrass management instructor, feels the project is good for the students, who not only get to put their knowledge to practical use, but also get a rewarding experience, saying the students learn how “to help people, how to be people.”

The 13 students worked for two days to create a yard for the Yule family. Sunday the renovated house and yard was revealed to the family.

Homeowner Brian Yule was overwhelmed by the changes, saying that he was lost for words.

“Thank you all so much. Beautiful people, beautiful people,” Yule said.

Kazymerchyk hopes to continue getting his students involved in The Home Project for years to come.

“It would be tough to turn down,” Kazymerchyk said.

Each year, the church chooses a family in need and carries out a complete home renovation.