Each summer a youth group from Thrasher Memorial United Methodist Church in Vinton heads
to Central Appalachia to complete mission projects there to make homes “warmer, safer, and
drier” for families who have experienced some type of hardship.
The Appalachia Service Project (ASP) organization was created in 1969. Each year more than 25
communities are served by over 15,000 ASP volunteers, impacting over 350 families. Over
3,000 repair projects are completed each summer.
Thousands of volunteers from around the country join forces in repairing and replacing homes
for low income families, building relationships with those families, and with their fellow
volunteers. The student volunteers are accompanied by a number of adult leaders. Marty Crow
was the coordinator for this year’s ASP team from Thrasher.
From July 5 to July 11, 42 volunteers (18 adults and 24 youth) from four area churches (Thrasher
Memorial UMC, Bethlehem, Red Valley UMC, and Three Oaks Fellowship UMC) traveled to
Clay County, W.Va.
mission trip to Central Appalachia. (photos courtesy of Thrasher UMC)
Crow said they had seven teams with five to six members each. “We did painting, drywall,
plumbing, underpinning, floors, bathtubs, porches, and steps to name a few projects.
“The weather was hot and we had some afternoon thunderstorms, but that didn’t slow us up too
much. Our center had AC so we could get some relief from the heat and weather. (They were
housed at Clay County Middle School in Clay, W.Va.)
“There were several youth who had never been before, and they all had great things to say about
it. They were nervous at first, not knowing anything about construction, but realized that was
okay and their leaders walked them through everything. They also said they really enjoyed
getting to know other group members and the homeowners. They all said they will go back
again.
“Just like every area in the ASP region, Clay County was booming in the coal mining years, but
once the mining shut down the county has been shrinking in population. Businesses are shutting
down and there is very little infrastructure. They have to drive an hour to go to the grocery store
or to a hospital capable of providing X-rays. There was also flooding about 10 years ago that was
another blow to the region.
“This is a very rewarding week where we get to spend time with friends, meet new friends and
make lasting memories of helping people out and building relationships. I always tell my kids, ‘Thank you for saying yes to Jesus!’ I wish to thank everyone involved with sending this team on
this trip.”
Members of the team included Marty, Madison, and McKenzie Crow, Adam, Nick, and Caroline
Edmondson, Jo Brooks, Ginger Quinn, Kara Sutton, Chris Russ, Megan Jones, Levi Jones, Isaac
Jones, Tina Yates, Dennis Bilby, Steven Spencer, J.R. Cooper, Nyla Gurley, Tyler Gurley,
Kaden Liechty, Issac Sanchez, Parker Sharp, Abigail Clay, Shane Clay, Adam McNamara,
Pastor John Hemming along with his wife Karen and children Aaron and Anna, Rheygan
Flowers, Irvin Flowers, Mayzie Jones, Joshua McEntire, Bonnie Jones, Maryann St.Clair,
Dorothy Smith, Xavier Weden, Tim Yates, Haley Sanchez, Brianna Hackett, Ellie Richards, and
Tyler Wertz.
After the Thrasher group returned home, Adam Edmondsen and his son Nick shared their
experiences with the church congregation during church services.
Adam’s team had removed a makeshift porch made of a pallet and steps from a young couple’s
home and replaced it with a 6×10-foot porch. He talked about seeing God in the beautiful
scenery at the homeowner’s house on a mountaintop where you could see for miles. He said that
he came to understand why it was called “Clay” County because of the soil which became the
bubble gum consistency of clay and caked their shoes from the many thunderstorms they
experienced that week.
Nick’s team worked on a water-damaged home, repairing a bedroom and hallway. They pulled
up flooring and tore down the ceiling. He said the homeowner kept the team supplied with
snacks even though she was financially struggling herself. “It was a great week.”
prepare to leave for Clay County, W.Va.
~Submitted by Marty Crow
