First Presbyterian Church of Clarksburg hosted two workcamp groups this summer.

 

The first group, from the First Presbyterian Church of Wilmington, Delaware, arrived on June 20 and stayed through June 26. This group, consisting of nine young men ages 13-17, and two chaperones, had a busy week painting, power washing, small repairs, replacing doors and other jobs on local homes previously  lined up. This group left at 8:30 am and returned between 6 and 7 pm each day. Hank & Kathy Lawrence hosted a “fun day” on Wednesday for the group at Oral Lake. As Corey, one of the group, put it, “You guys have the most amazing program I have experienced over the last six I have been involved in!” “You guys rock!”

 

Our next group, from Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, Indiana stayed at First Church Clarksburg from Sunday, July 18 until Saturday, July 24. This group, of about 30 people, helped paint and power-wash three homes, and cleaned out an abandoned office that is slated for use as an eye clinic that will offer free eye exams and glasses for the less fortunate. The workcamp group filled a ten-foot dumpster with trash in the process of cleaning out the office.

 

This great group of kids worked from 9:00 am until around 2:30 pm Monday through Thursday the week they were here. They returned in time to shower, then prepare their supper.

 

While working on one of the houses that had been lined up for some repair, an older gentleman happened by and stopped to watch. Jeff Mitchell approached him and started a conversation, during which he realized that the man thought that the people working on the house were relatives helping another family member out. Jeff informed him that this was actually a workcamp group from Indiana that came to the area to help those less fortunate. Upon hearing this, the older fellow reached into his pocket, pulled out his checkbook, signed a check and asked Jeff make the check out for $100.00 to the Second Presbyterian Church of Indiana - the group’s home church.

 

On Friday the group headed out to Oral Lake - thanks again to Hank & Kathy Lawrence - for a day of swimming and picnicking. The women of First Presbyterian prepared the picnic lunch and Jeff and Denver cooked the hot dogs and hamburgers.  We had an awesome time swimming....and of course I jumped off the high deck with the kids!

 

Kudos to the Workcamp Committee for the great job they did this year getting ready for our first summer of hosting workcamp groups, and a special Thank You to the following committee members: Denver & Kandy Atkinson, Jeff & Pam Mitchell, Michael Ann Gainer, Janet Wilson, Susan Tustin, Lil Gordon and Linda Lonsinger. The committee extends their appreciation to the congregation of First Presbyterian Church for the overwhelming support of this mission.

 

                                                                                                                              Thanks again!!

                                                                                                                               Mike Lonsinger