Youth Group Sets Out To Change The World

As soon as the weather turns to spring - something besides daffodils and crocuses pop up all over the place: tag sales!

Recently, the First Church of Christ's Youth Group held their annual rummage sale to raise money for their volunteer work. This, the second year, resulted in a profit of $961.63.

Overall the group needs to raise $4,000 which represents one-third of the cost to send 18 young people and four chaperones to Scranton, Pennsylvania for a week in June and one young lady to Ecuador for ten days.

These annual mission trips not only develop character and make a difference in the lives of their fellow man, they are an exposure to different lifestyles, economic situations and needs throughout our country and beyond.

Dave Rainey and Beth Short are the adult leaders of the group and dedicate energy, fun and guidance to this group of do-gooders. They not only respect the young people they lead, but genuinely like being with them.

The 18 members of the youth group travel by bus for a week in Scranton where they are joined by about 400 volunteers. The program is run by Groupcares which identifies the projects. The volunteers bunk dormitory-style and eat in the cafeteria of the Marywood University campus. They are divided into work groups of five or six people and spend the week getting to know other teens from throughout the Northeast.

College student Maria Paradis will take her third trip to Guasmo Sur, a barrio of over 400,000 people that is the poorest in Guayaquil Ecuador. For ten days this summer she will live with a local family in difficult conditions. As part of a 50-person work crew she will build and renovate homes.

The group Paradis travels with includes members of the First Church of Christ in Clinton and four others. In years past, Pastor Chris Horvath has also taken the trip, and says of Maria's dedication, “Our church is very proud of Maria and we are giving her our full support.”

The First Church of Christ has sponsored the education of the oldest son of one Ecuadorian family. He is studying art and psychology, but it is difficult, the area is very, very poor. He shares his learnings by teaching art in the local community center which took the volunteers ten years to build.

Like sister, like brother, Chad Paradis is headed on his second mission trip this year to Pennsylvania. Chad spent last year's session painting a three story house, and shares that after the work day, they “get together with friends, meet for prayer, and a group dinner.”

Chad Paradis and CJ Hill are friends and also both Boy Scouts in Troop 55 in town. CJ says, “most of the people we help are elderly, it is a pretty rundown coal community” that is in need. These youth programs are what develops quality citizens that will in the future continue to contribute to the betterment of society.

Additional monies are generated through the sale of shares of stock in the mission. A $10 share entitles the sponsor a seat at the annual dinner and slide show in the fall where participants share the stories of the work and reward they experienced. Church members also contribute supplies such as paint and tools for the ventures. They will also hold a car wash fundraiser on Saturday, May 7 from 9am-1pm.

Caitlin McDonough, a junior at The Morgan School, is participating for the second year.

“It's fun to meet new people, hang out, and get the satisfaction of helping someone in need," she said.

To support this effort, please consider a donation to the Youth Mission trips at the First Church of Christ office across from Andrews Memorial Town Hall on East Main Street.