Mendham Teens Give Back During An Annual Appalachia Mission Trip

MENDHAM, NJ — As part of the parish's annual Teen Appalachia Mission Trip, more than 50 teens and 22 chaperones from Saint Joseph Church in Mendham traveled to Paintsville, Kentucky, this summer.

The mission trip, part of the parish's 14th annual Teen Appalachia Mission Trip, lasted from June 19 to June 25. The team collaborated with Good Neighbors, Inc., a non-profit organization serving the working poor in Johnson County, Kentucky.

This year's projects included roof and foundation repair, deck construction, and window and flooring replacement. At one location, the missionaries began building a new home for a family who had recently lost their home in a fire.

“Appalachia made me realize you can be so happy with so little and that true happiness has nothing to do with money or material things,” said Catherine McCarthy, a junior at Villa Walsh Academy. “I also have a greater appreciation for where I get to live and the people I have in my life. I’m so glad I went!"

Every summer, Good Neighbors organizes the work sites for the Mendham Mission Team. The local families served by the team receive no government assistance. People in need contact Good Neighbors for assistance with home repairs, additions, and other projects.

Those who receive assistance are required to go through financial training to learn how to budget and save, and they frequently return the favor by helping others in their community.

“Appalachia is unlike any other trip and it is amazing to see the community we create throughout the week between the members of our mission team and the amazing people of Paintsville,” said Patrick Gillespie, a senior at Mendham High School.

The Mission Team forms special bonds with the families they serve, frequently sharing meals and taking the time to learn about the families and their stories. The experience is life-changing not only for the families but also for the volunteers, said St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Parent volunteer Michele McCarthy, who has traveled to Kentucky with her four teens over the past five years, adds, “Every year I am amazed at the incredible teenagers that we bring to Kentucky. They sacrifice a week of their summer vacation to serve others. Despite the heat and the not-so-luxurious living quarters, they do it with a smile. It is great to see them realize that they can make a difference in the lives of other people in the world.”

Good Neighbors, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization that helps people in need by repairing homes, adding necessary additions and meeting other needs.

“This week reminds me to be more grateful for what I have and the importance of helping others,” Gillespie said.