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DEL.ICIO.USA roof over the heads of those who need it
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
JASON GETZ / AJC
Kristyn Nock (left) of Lawrenceville and Nicole Desmarais of Loganville talk Wednesday outside a cabin at the Methodist campgrounds.
EDITOR’S NOTE: On Thursday, the organizers of the Lawrenceville Assistance Project had to cancel the program at the Lawrenceville Methodist Campground because of the death of a camp crew leader. • Story
The crew leader climbed atop the roof. He told Amy Keller to follow. They were about to reroof the entire house.
“I didn’t know what to do or what to expect,” Keller said. “I just got up there and did it. It was a lot of sweating and getting dirty. And it was so hot.”
It’s a story Keller can share with teens working this summer with the Lawrenceville Assistance Project. She has volunteered for the community service project since she was in high school.
She continued to do so during summer breaks from Clemson University.
Now she’s 22, a recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in graphic communications. And she’s back, this time as an intern at First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville, assisting Lisa Johnson, the coordinator for LAP 2007.
On Wednesday, about 60 kids and 30 adult volunteers registered for LAP at the Lawrenceville Methodist Campground off Braselton Highway in Lawrenceville. The Badie Tour stopped by to learn more about the project, which starts today and concludes Tuesday.
The campground cabins will be the volunteers’ home — the place they eat, sleep and worship after eight-hour days of physical labor. Work sites are spread throughout Lawrenceville and include jobs such as laying floors and painting.
Back in 1994, the youth group at FUMC had been helping the elderly and shut-ins sporadically, but wanted to do more. LAP was born, modeled after the Gainesville Assistance Project of Antioch United Methodist Church.
“The youth decided to do a camp-style project because they thought they could help more people that way,” said Brent Bohanan, who served as youth director in the mid-1990s. “For me, that’s what this is all about — kids putting their love in action.”
Clients are referred by the Lawrenceville Senior Center and through word-of-mouth. The elderly, along with the disabled, are prime candidates because scam artists prey on them. LAP assists all ages if there’s a need, though.
“The work is backed by the church, it’s insured, and you get a job that’s done well for free,” Bohanan said.
For the next six days, Keller will fill in wherever needed. She’ll visit job sites, run errands and pick up supplies. Heck, she might even grab a paintbrush.
“I’ve definitely done a lot of roofs, yard work and painting,” she told me. “Meeting people who were different than me, and being able to help them out when they were unable to help themselves has really been great. You learn a lot about life.”
She reports for her first post-graduate job on July 30. At Catawba College, a private liberal arts school in Salisbury, N.C., she’ll help student organizations plan and organize community service projects.
She definitely has the experience.
To learn more about the Lawrenceville Assistance Project, please contact Lisa Johnson at First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville at 770-963-0386.
— Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875 or e-mail rbadie@ajc.com.
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By Jeff Phillips
June 22, 2007 2:17 AM | Link to this
I just wanted to mention that the church has not canceled the program completely; LAP is a tradition in the church, and this tragic event has only derailed plans for this summer’s project. LAP will live on, but this year will be canceled in memory of our beloved friend and church family member.