The Shadow
Students from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, spent another spring break in Alleghany County, as part of the Appalachian Express, known as APEX, the week of March 11-18.
Approximately 500 students deposit one-half of what a semester costs to go online to put their requests in to spend their spring break sprucing up parts of Appalachia. Students are then randomly selected to go to one of seventeen sites in VA, WV, TN, NC, and KY. Once matched with a site the students pay the rest of half of what a semester costs, and prepare themselves for some hard work, food, friendships, and fun in Appalachia.
Fifteen students were scheduled for this trip, however, one tested positive for COVID-19 and another couldn’t make the trip either. Thirteen students, including two Adult Facilitators: Jill Hayes and Mike Stone and two Student Facilitators: Erin Snyder and Kevin Villec arrived at Loving Life Community Outreach in Clifton Forge, Saturday evening, after a hike at Douthat State Park.
They were met and greeted by Carl “Shorty” Wolfe, Sr. and Tammy Wolfe, owners of Loving Life Community Outreach, along with Clifton Forge Town Manager Chuck Unroe, Clifton Forge Mayor and Vice-Mayor Jeff Irvine and Dale Burdette; Program Managers Don Woodard and Cornelius Ray; and local mentors and committee members Wolfe Jr., Gregory Key, Rev. Dave Maddy, Carl Whithrow, Wanda Davis, and Patty Davis-Ross.
The first day of their work week was bitterly cold so they stuck to inside projects: cleaning the interior and washing windows at individuals’ homes; painting and cleaning various churches, and a school. The rest of the week they were able to tackle some outside jobs: spreading mulch; pulling weeds; and building a sandbox for the YMCA’s playground.
“I’m so excited to be in this community,” said Samantha Killian, a freshman on her first APEX trip as she awaited the materials for the sandbox. “It was absolutely so much better than I could have expected. Everybody has been so welcoming and so kind. I’m so grateful to have been here,” said Killian in conclusion.
I caught up with the group again on their final evening at St Parrish United Method Church, Covington, enjoying a fish dinner, saying their goodbyes, and leaving the community with some tears and a rendition of their school song, “We Are Called.”
“I have never been this far south before,” said Freshman Alex Digiacofo. It was an absolutely amazing experience, and I will take with me solidarity with this community.” he added. “When I leave this place, I will take away the importance of community, said Freshman Lizzy Pharis.
Hayes has been to Appalachia, but this was her first time in Alleghany. “It was fantastic,” she said. “We got to meet some awesome people and got to do some service work with the people of Appalachia,” Haynes added.
Forgoing the Saturday morning breakfast, to have been prepared by Central United Methodist Church, Clifton Forge, the group decided to get an early start back to Philadelphia.
“Though the group was smaller than the usual 25, they worked very and were so willing,” said Committee Member Patty Davis-Ross.
Lodging was provided by: St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Clifton. Showers and activities were provided by the YMCA.
The churches providing breakfast: First Baptist Church, Clifton Forge; Family TreeTs Café, Low Moor; Temple Baptist Church, Covington; Pine Street Baptist Church, Covington; Mt. Beulah Baptist Church, Glen Wilton; Wrightsville Baptist Church, Wrightsville; and Central United Methodist Church, Clifton Forge.
Their daily to-go boxed lunches were prepared and provided by Lewis-Gale Alleghany.
Dinners were provided by: Loving Life Community Outreach; Main Street Baptist Church, Clifton Forge; Historic Masonic Theatre, Clifton Forge; Concerned Christian Church, Covington; The Life House, Clifton Forge; First Assembly Church of God, Clifton Forge; and Parrish Court United Methodist Church, Covington.
Entertainment was provided by: Douthat State Park; YMCA; C & O Heritage Center, Clifton Forge; HMT; Nathan Fender at The Life House, Clifton Forge; and Bowling at Thunder Alley, Covington.
A bonfire was planned for Friday night but was canceled due to the weather.
