Volunteer Opportunities with Christian Appalachian Project

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

Eddie Boyd is proud of his Eastern Kentucky roots. He is the son of a coal miner and worked in the mines himself for 41 years. Eddie only knew CAP’s name for several years but is now part of the mission, serving as the hands and feet of Christ as a Community Volunteer.

Eddie works with incoming volunteers who come to Appalachia to help CAP’s home repair staff make substandard houses safe, warm, and dry. Many of the volunteers have no prior experience in construction and Eddie teaches them the necessary skills needed to make repairs. “I am amazed at the volunteers who come in,” Eddie said. “I have served with people who have never held a hammer before. They were surprised at how quickly they learned the skills and enjoyed their experience.”

His favorite part about serving with groups is sharing the rich culture of Appalachia. He is always excited to share stories of his time coal mining, talk about regional foods, and enjoy the beauty of the mountains. “A lot of people have been misled about what Appalachian Kentucky is like,” Eddie said. “They are amazed to come here and experience the mountains. To have met the people at CAP and the participants, they really see what Eastern Kentucky is about.”

Eddie said that serving as a volunteer with CAP can change your life. “Everyone should be able to volunteer with CAP for a week just to see what goes on where I live,” Eddie said. “I’ve made a lot of new acquaintances doing what I do and they are all good people. I would encourage anyone to volunteer.”

Community Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals and groups who live in our service areas. What might that look like? Once a week: steaming clothes or packing backpacks with food for children. Once a month: packing commodities for seniors. Seasonally: cooking for groups, volunteering at camp, serving at the Christmas Store, and repairing homes. On call: Disaster Relief. You can even serve full-time in our Volunteer Corps!