Krepps makes difference no matter what role
Dec. 27—Whether as a teacher, school administrator, municipal politician, church leader or community volunteer, Michael Krepps always seems to take on the role of a doer.
Krepps, 76, of Conneaut Lake, is probably best known these days as the head of His Work His Way.
He's the volunteer chairman of the nonprofit joint ministry outreach program that helps qualifying Conneaut Lake-area homeowners in need.
His Work His Way got started in 2009 through the combined efforts of High Street Community Church, Trinity Methodist Church and Conneaut Lake Presbyterian Church. In June 2024, it will mark its 16th year of service to the community.
"Any local thing that can last 16 years is a pretty significant accomplishment," Krepps said. "We're going strong, we're financially sound. [Volunteer] workers keep showing up every year — and we're recruiting new ones every year."
Krepps spent 36 years as an educator and school administrator — the first 18 years in Beaver County before joining Jamestown School District in 1987-88. He came to that district as principal of Jamestown High School, a position he held until retiring from education in 2005.
As a teacher in Beaver County in the 1970s, Krepps started a maple syrup program for students that has evolved into today's Beaver County Maple Syrup & Music Festival, as well as organized a recycling program run by students with teachers serving as advisers. He also got federal funding for organizing American history tours for students during summer vacations.
Arriving at Jamestown for the 1987-88 school year as a principal, Krepps helped reorganize the district from a combined junior-senior high school concept to a separate middle school and high school model.
Jamestown High School's sports teams were without a conference when he arrived.
"They were playing independent, they were without a 'home,' so I went to the various schools and got them into the [former] French Creek Valley Conference," he said.
Krepps became active in High Street Community Church at Conneaut Lake, serving as an elder, a Sunday school teacher, and even one of the builders of its new church.
"There were a few of us who worked directly with the contractors in helping build the new church," he said.
He also spent more than two terms on Conneaut Lake Borough Council (through 2021) where he aided in redevelopment efforts for the borough's streetscape and Fireman's Beach. he also served on the Crawford County Planning Commission.
"Lot of nice things in the community have been done in the past few years," Krepps said of improvements in the borough through the Conneaut Lake Community Development Committee.
Krepps may have stepped back from his other roles, but his passion continues to be working with His Work His Way.
It's not just during the week in the summer that His Work His Way completes projects, he said. "We get calls to help [anytime of year], so we round up a volunteer or two and go help the person."
Faith is what drives Krepps.
"It's being a Christian servant — I believe very much in that," he said. "If you have a vision for something, then you create the plan.
"But, you don't do it alone. You do it with a lot of support from a lot of folks who are willing to by into whatever it is you've got going on.
"We have strong support," he continued. "It's not from just the volunteers, but the entire community."
The support comes in many forms, according to Krepps, such as donated or discounted materials from suppliers to knowledge and donated labor from contractors and others.
Keith Gushard can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
