Christian youths plan community service jobs
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
NEWPORT — In the middle of the summer, when teenagers have any number of fun activities in mind, young Christians from around the country will be painting, repairing porches and building wheelchair ramps.
Setting up their Group Workcamp at Nokomis Regional High School on the week of July 13-19, the 400 or so volunteers will be anxious to help seniors, low-income and disabled homeowners. They will pay out of pocket for travel expenses from the Group Workcamp Foundation's home base of Loveland, Colo.
The young Christians will do their thing in Hartland, Newport, Palmyra and St. Albans. Kennebec Valley Community Action Program is the sponsoring agency.
Patricia L. Kosma, deputy director of KVCAP, was witness to this spirit of giving during the last Group Workcamp two years ago.
"I just came away so energized by their spirit," Kosma said. "They're fun, but they work very, very hard. They just sort of get a kick out of giving."
KVCAP is contributing $17,000 in building materials through donations from the four towns, Penquis CAP, Bangor Savings Bank and an anonymous donor. The High Street Congregational Church of Newport, School Administrative District 54, Central Maine Power Co., Hancock Lumber of Pittsfield and Sherwin-Williams Co. of Waterville also have contributed.
Group Workcamp has matched that, for a $34,000 total.
"It's really a wonderful project," Kosma said. "It's an enormous amount of good that can be done in a very short time with not a lot of money."
The volunteers will help approximately 70 families with home repairs. After they set up living quarters at Nokomis, teams of one adult and five youths will be assigned to each of the homes selected.
"They will paint, do limited roofing and install weatherization, in addition to the porch work. The wheelchair ramps are a huge need," Kosma said.
"Some of the homeowners will come out and bring them lemonade," Kosma said. "They form some neat friendships with these people."
The campers will sleep on Nokomis classroom floors, eat in the cafeteria and enjoy evening programs in the gymnasium.
"This service to the community would be impossible without the wonderful cooperation of Nokomis Regional High School," Kosma said.
Larry Grard — 487-3288
lgrard@centralmaine.com