Appalachia Service Project
Submitted by Teri Kesselmeyer
On Sunday July 31, 2022 – after a two year pandemic-induced hiatus – twenty-four teens and adult volunteers departed from St. Vincent de Paul Church for a one-week service project in Appalachia. Their destination: Terra Alta, West Virginia. Their mission: to serve those in need.
Over the next week this intrepid group replaced and repaired roofs, rebuilt stairs, power-washed and painted houses, built a portico and brought joy to the families they assisted. It wasn’t all work; they spent their downtime in rustic Camp Galilee, nestled among the West Virginia hills, enjoying the fields and lakefront, playing volleyball and cornhole, and getting to know each other through late night water balloon fights. Accompanying the teens were adult volunteers – some first time participants and others veterans of past trips – who ran their jobsites, prepared meals, drove cars, led reflections and provided guidance.
On Saturday August 6, the group returned, tired but happy, brimming over with stories of new friends, long car rides, and humming John Denver tunes about country roads.
This trip marks the twentieth year since St. Vincent de Paul Parish youth first ventured to West Virginia to participate in the Diocese of Preston County’s Summer Home Repair Program. What makes this trip so special that teens and adult leaders keep returning?
Paul Delaney thinks it’s the opportunity to learn new skills in a fun environment that makes the trip so special. Returning for his tenth year, Paul is a New Jersey contractor who travels to West Virginia ahead of the trip to scout job sites that the teens will work on over their week-long trip. He looks for jobs that require the right mix of skill levels for the group, so the teens who do the work will learn something new while making a difference in the Appalachian community. “Whether they’re repairing leaky roofs, building a wheelchair ramp, or even performing simple repairs for someone that can’t do it for themselves, it’s the teens that are doing the work,” explained Paul, “and the kids see what they’re capable of and always find a way to have fun.”
Marie Baeyens thinks it’s the beauty of West Virginia that makes the trip so special. Marie attended the trip for the first time this year, along with two of her children, but has heard stories about Terra Alta from her older children who attended the trip before her. Marie recalls “the beautiful rolling hills covered in morning mist added to the peaceful experience.”
Marie’s daughter, Emma Baeyens, who attends Rutgers University and made her second trip to Terra Alta, added, “We had the perfect balance between work day and downtime.” Emma explained, “the main goal of the trip was to help better the lives of those who live in West Virginia by showing up and engaging with them while repairing their houses. But work was not the only thing we did, there was plenty of time for a variety of fun activities, including kayaking on the lake, playing cards and other board games, going to a local amusement park, and, of course, having a water balloon fight. Old friendships were rekindled, new ones were made.”
Chris Fernandes, who attended past trips as both a teen and an adult leader, thinks it’s the camaraderie that makes the trip so special. “It’s hard to explain why someone would take a week’s vacation to fix a stranger’s roof in West Virginia,” observed Chris, who did just that, “but it’s always fun to meet new people over long car rides, while working together, and unwinding at camp.” Chris looks forward to returning next year.
Mary Knell, who attended for her first time this year, thinks it’s the opportunity to give to others that makes the trip so special. Mary retired in June and volunteered to run the kitchen along with her friend Sandi Schaefer. “As parishioners at St. Vincent de Paul Parish, we heard such positive things about the trip over the years, we wanted to be part of it,” said Mary. So when retirement made it possible for her to attend, she and Sandi jumped at the chance to contribute their love of cooking to feed the hungry crew.
Father Richard Carton, Pastor of St. Vincent de Paul Church, thinks it’s the opportunity to put into practice Jesus’s call to genuine service to the least of our brothers and sisters that makes the trip so special. “Our volunteers attend for many different personal reasons, the trip is open to all faith backgrounds,” explained Fr. Richard, “but the reason they get so much out of the trip is because Jesus’s words are true: when we give generously, God won’t be outdone in His generosity to us.”
Abby O’Mullan, a rising freshman at Watchung Hills Regional High School, had heard about the trip from her older siblings who attended in the past, but she wasn’t sure what to expect. “It was rewarding getting to know the homeowner and helping even in little ways. The trip was fun and I want to do it again next year,” said Abby. Her older brother, John O’Mullan, who participated in the trip as a teen and returned this year as an adult volunteer added, “although this group was smaller than in the past, everyone who came was good to work with. I look forward to the trip growing in years to come.”
Parents welcomed the return of the trip. “I’m delighted that my kids have been able to experience this service trip,” said Mike O’Mullan. “For one week the kids get to step out of themselves and work hard to help someone in need – who wouldn’t benefit from that experience? And they always come back with new friends and great stories of fun despite the heat, or the blisters, or the long car rides. There’s just something special about this experience,” he added, “everybody should try it.”
After a two year hiatus due to COVID-19, the annual mission trip had a successful return due to the participation of the teens and adult volunteers, as well as the support of the whole community. “It truly is a community project, from those who use their vacation to attend, to those who donate their time, talents, and treasure,” added Fr. Richard. “We are truly grateful to all those who made this year’s trip possible,” said the Pastor.
While the reasons may be different for each participant, two decades of history testifies to the importance of this trip to the youth of New Jersey and to the people of West Virginia. This year’s participants will come together again on September 24 at St. Vincent de Paul Parish to reflect on their experiences, learn about other local service opportunities and look forward to next year. Plans are already underway for next year’s trip, which is scheduled for July 30 to August 5, 2023. All those interested may contact St. Vincent de Paul parish house for more information.
Courtesy photos
