ASP Plans to Go South Twice this Summer
Photo courtesy of Appalachia Service Project
The Wallingford-Swarthmore area is full of people who want to make a difference in the world. Volunteering seems to be in our DNA, and another opportunity is opening up as we organize teams of young people and adults to Appalachia to work on making family homes “warmer, safer, and drier.” This year the trip promises to be even more meaningful, as members of our community plan their work to improve the lives of people in another community in Kentucky through the Appalachia Service Project (ASP).
ASP makes arrangements with families who need home repairs, and teams from across the U.S. install insulation, repair roofs, construct entrance ramps, and make other improvements to houses in central Appalachia. Swarthmore expects to field six teams with a total of 44 people, traveling to Chavies, Kentucky. Each team consists of five young people, aged 14 to 21, and two adults. Potential participants will choose the dates that work best for them: leave for Kentucky on June 23 and return on June 29, or leave on July 7 and return on July 13. Teams are open to anyone in the community; no construction experience is needed.
During the spring, teams will prepare together, learning about Appalachia, practicing tool use and jobsite safety, and raising funds to cover the cost of the trip. Many young people and adults will be returning to Appalachia this summer, some of them having gone 3, 4, or more times, but the Swarthmore organizers of ASP are eagerly welcoming new recruits.
Those interested in learning more about ASP and about this summer’s trip are invited to attend the first organizing meeting on Sunday, February 24, at 6 p.m. at Swarthmore United Methodist Church, 129 Park Avenue. Food will be provided.
For more information contact the Swarthmore Presbyterian Church office at 610-543-4712, or at parish@swarthmorepres.org, or the SUMC office at 610-543-2110, or at office@swarthmoreumc.org.
