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Handprints in Appalachia For over 15 years, youth and adults from our church have journeyed to Appalachia during the summer to do home repair and to meet and learn about the people of that economically depressed part of the country. The following essay is submitted by Tia Plautz, one of the ASP kids in our group writing on the Appalachia Service Project theme of “Handprints in Appalachia” We asked for volunteers to write what “Helping Hands” might mean to them as it relates to our on-going service project to the people of Appalachia. The True
Meaning
of “Helping Hands”
What is a helping hand? Well, that can be a difficult question to answer because a helping hand could be several things. A helping hand could be someone who helps out others just for recognition, or it could be someone with a deeper purpose. Some people help out others for the sake of making their lives better; for giving them a second chance. The young people and adults of the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) are exceptional examples of the second type. Everyone wants to make some kind of a difference in the world, especially the young people of today. ASP gives those young people a chance to see what they are made of. What exactly is ASP? The Appalachia Service project is a nation-wide organization of students, who must have completed middle school, and adults who each year travel to an area in Appalachia (several counties in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia). |
This
year’s ASP will be traveling to Unicoi County, Tennessee over the
summer.
While they are there they will work on repairing the houses of those
who
are less fortunate. Jobs range anywhere from painting to replacing
floors
and walls to plumbing and even to shingling roofs! The best part
is, no real experience is necessary, and anyone can join. People
join ASP for many various reasons. These include needing work
experience,
learning experience, and meeting lots of new and interesting
people.
Though all the previously stated reasons are true, one reason is shared
by all. Everyone wants to make the lives for the people they meet
better. They want to give them that second chance that everyone
deserves.
It makes someone feel really good to know that they have that ability.
Being a part of ASP allows you to realize that one person can’t do
everything,
but making small differences along the way leaves you one step closer
to
solving the larger issue. Knowing that you can be a part of those
baby steps gives you a feeling that cannot be anything but that of
accomplishment
and pride. So, what is a helping hand? Ask ASP, because
they
have the hands that know first-hand. As they say, “a little bit
goes
a long way.”
Each year
our youth
participating in ASP ask for your help in making the trip
possible.
Our expenses for the 50 people making the trip are expected to top
$15,000.
One way you can help is by buying a share of stock in our venture (or
more
than one). Each share is priced at $15.00 and gets a personal
communication
from a participant from the job site and the opportunity to share our
experience
at the annual stockholders dinner in the fall. Just send your
check
to the church made out either to “ASP” or made out to the church
earmarked
for “ASP”. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
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