The Mountain Spirit - March/April 1996

The Magazine of the Christian Appalachian Project

In th is issue: O peration Sharing

S h o rt S to ry b y G arry B arker

M arch-A pril 1996

The

March-April 1996 Vol. XV, No, 2

M ountain The Magazine of the Christian Appalachian Project

Operation: Sharing by Margaret Gabriel

Big Deal by Garry Barker

CAP Peace Award by Lisa Bosley

A Prayer Answered by Beth Dotson

Departments

3 Random Thoughts 10 Around the Project

16 The CAP Closeup 23 Letters to the Editor Terry Harmon, page four.

CAP’S Means of Sharing In the past ten years, the Christian Appalachian Project has grown in many ways, but one of the most exciting ways is through of the work of Operation Sharing, the in-kind donation distribution program. After the gracious permis­ sion of a friend in Somerset to store the first donation of books in a tobacco bam, Operation Sharing has grown to touch thousands of people in every Appalachian state. Some of these folks are children who have never had a book of their very own. Others are elderly people who receive seeds that enable them to grow enough food to see them through a hard winter. CAP is proud to be able to touch as many people as have been helped through Operation Sharing. Program coordinator Terry Harmon made an interesting observation concerning the contact that CAP has with hundreds of service providers as it distributes in-kind donations. “For some people,” Terry said, “Operation Sharing is CAP.” Sharing has given CAP the opportunity to meet thousands of Appalachians we might never have had the honor to know. On the cover, Terry Harmon shakes hands with Sister Kathleen Mulrone, founder of the Christian Service Center in Owingsville, Kentucky. (Photo by Gabriel)

Published by the Christian Appalachian Project. Editor: Margaret Gabriel. Advisory Board: Father Ralph W. Beiting, Mike McLaughlin, Bill Begley, Carla Durand, Teresa McAnly, Katie Newsome, Beverly Potter. Graphic Designer: Elizabeth Reed Roberts. Circulation: Linda Grider East. The Mountain Spirit is published six times a year. The annual subscription price is $6.00. Subscriptions and other correspondence should be sent to The Mountain Spirit, Christian Appalachian Project, 322 Crab Orchard Road, Lancaster, KY 40446. Copyright, 1996, The Christian Appalachian Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Member, Catholic Press Association. The Christian Appalachian Project is a non-profit Christian service organization operating throughout Appalachia. The project operates on the philosophy that helping people help themselves Is the best approach to Appalachian poverty. A summary of the registration and financial documents filed by this organization can be obtained by contacting: in New York, Secretary of State, Office of Charities Registration, 162 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12231; in Maryland, for the cost of copies and postage, the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401; in NEW JERSEY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, 202-626-4380; in NORTH CAROLINA, A COPY OF THE LICENSE TO SOLICIT CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OR SPONSOR AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, SOLICITATION LICENSING BRANCH, BY CALLING (919) 733-4510; in Pennsylvania, residents may call the Pennsylvania Department of State at 1-800-732-0999; for West Virginia residents, the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305; In Virginia, the State Division of Consumer Affairs, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209; Washington State residents may obtain a copy of the last report filed with the Washington Secretary of State by calling toll free within Washington, 1-800-332-4483; IN FLORIDA, RESIDENTS MAY CALL THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES AT 1-800-HELP FLA or by writing to Christian Appalachia Project, 322 Crab Orchard Road, Lancaster, KY 40446. Our license number in Michigan is MICS 9933. Registration with any of the above government agencies does not imply endorsement by the state.

The Mountain Spirit

Random Thoughts Mike McLaughlin

Also important is the high degree of cooperation we have fostered among many nationally recognized charities who are willing to share whatever abun­ dance they may have. We have met corporate leaders throughout America who want to be socially responsive. Finally, I must commend the quality and dedica­ tion of the Operation Sharing employees, many of whom have been here since the program’s first days. A program can be no better than its staff, and from the manager Charlie Deaton to all those he leads, we know we have been blessed. They have made it happen. As I look ahead to the next five years and beyond, I know our first challenge is to build upon these strengths, to keep doing what we do well, to keep our mission and commitment to serve foremost in our minds, to focus on the problems that everyday people meet and face in Appalachia, and

March-April 1996

how we can best respond to those needs.

GABRIEL

As I examine the success of Operation Sharing since its inception ten years ago, with a conservatively valued $ 125 million of gifts-in-kind distributed Appalachia, my first question to myself is “How and why this success?” I come up with a number of reasons. The first is simple: We’re here. The Christian Appalachian Project, and with it Operation Sharing, is situated in an area that many acknowledge as deserving assistance. CAP has a proven track record of getting things done quickly, efficiently, and effectively; and we are regarded as an example of one of our nation’s finest charities.

Operation Sharing expects to grow. Our goal is to grow by 250 percent by the end of the year 2000. This means we will need to increase our donations, and the program personnel distributing these gifts. We will focus more on the commu­ Mike McLaughlin nities working together— with our help and how we conduct our program, leadership — to establish their from how we distribute, to what own priorities and expectations goods we seek and from whom. and how these can be reached by We know how change has become interpersonal, interagency, endemic in our society, and we intergovernmental cooperation and need to be ever open to that commitment. We are not the key; change. the people who live in our communities are the key. But we Our job in the distribution of inhope to be an example, a catalyst, kind donations is to be as creative, a hope, a friend. flexible and constructive as possible. The goods available from In the coming months we plan corporations one year may not be to establish a new primary base for available the following year, but Operation Sharing in Corbin, hopefully other goods will take Kentucky, strategically located on their place. And then as the kinds Interstate 75 and closer to the of gifts change, the people who will most beneficially use them southern and central Appalachian counties in Kentucky and Tennes­ will necessarily change as well. see. We expect this new base to be And taking all the available goods a vital ingredient in helping us to as a whole, how they can be reach our goal. With this 70,000combined and packaged and square-foot facility within our distributed for the greatest grasp, there promises to be ample effective good of all will be a storage for any foreseeable event; continual challenge. space to grow into, to be better organized, to distribute more wisely, to seek new methods, to save, to recycle, to become a Mike McLaughlin, past presi­ greater instrument for an enlarged dent o f the Christian Appalachian perspective of Appalachian good. Project, is now serving as the We expect to continually change director o f Operation Sharing.

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Operation:

In just a few short years a large donation of books has grown into an even larger mission of care and friendship ♦ 4

Story and Photos by Margaret Gabriel ♦ The Mountain Spirit

F o r as long as there has been a Christian Appalachian Project it has received gifts-in-kind. CAP’S first headquarters, legend has it, was painted with a donation of hundreds and hun­ dreds of sample-sized cans of bright yellow paint. For years after the move to (gray) headquarters on Crab Orchard Road, CAP was known as “the yellow house.” This writer remembers her mother giving CAP a 1949 Pontiac — in 1964. The tradition of in-kind gifts received a giant boost in 1986 when vice presi­ dent of development Bill Begley received a telephone call from an acquaintance who asked if CAP could use a large number of children’s books. As Bill received more and more informa­ tion about the donation, one tractortrailer load of books grew to five loads. “I couldn’t comprehend exactly how many books they were talking about or how much space we needed for them, so I went to look at the immensity of the donation.” When Bill traveled to Virginia and looked at boxes and boxes and boxes of children’s books he knew that he was looking at a great opportunity to help a lot of people in Appalachia. With approval from the board of directors the search was on for a warehouse large enough to store them. Bill made Congressman Hal Rogers [R-Ky.] aware of CAP’Sneed, and through that contact CAP was offered storage space by Bill Newell, owner of a large tobacco warehouse in Somerset, Kentucky. “We just had to be out by the beginning of the tobacco season,” Bill said. “By the time the trucks rolled, we ended up with 24 tractor-trailer loads of books, with a value of $4.6 million.”

March-April 1996

With storage space and the beginning of a network, Bill and Charlie Deaton, who was hired to manage the donation and its distribution, could see that much good could be done by continuing the work of Operation Sharing, as it was named. The program adopted the philosophy that “the free and unselfish sharing of material goods with those in need goes hand-in-hand with sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Neither dreamed that the program would have the growth it has seen. In the ten years since Operation Sharing distributed its first load of books to thousands of children in Appalachia, the program has distributed over $125 million in goods to people in all thirteen Appalachian states, including all 49 Appalachian counties of Kentucky. While Operation Sharing receives and distrib­ utes more books than any other single item, goods include garden seed, home repair supplies (see page twenty-six), over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, food, clothing and personal hygiene items. CAP seeks and accepts donations which fit within its mission. Because CAP’S mission is so broad and takes in so many activities, there aren’t many

Operation Sharing makes a delivery to Bethany House in Olive Hill, Kentucky. Bethany House is a new Operation Sharing participant.

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. .. you made a needy child very happy during this holiday season; and gave many of the inmates a true feeling of the Christian spirit of this beautiful season. We cannot thank you enough . . . Northeast Correctional Center Mountain City, Tennessee

materials that fall outside those param­ eters, Charlie said. “We don’t have any use for hazardous materials, and we can’t store large quantities of frozen food. Or live chickens.” CAP’s direct service programs benefit amply from in-kind donations, but Operation Sharing is true to its name. During 1995 Operation Sharing distrib­ uted materials to over 600,000 people through nearly 1100 churches, missions, service agencies, schools and Family Resource Centers.

64” corridor, as they call it, which stretches through northeastern Kentucky to the West Virginia border. One day in December the truck was loaded with toothbrushes, dental floss and blankets. They stopped first at the Gateway District Health Department, in Owingsville which serves Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan and Rowan counties. Terry and Chad were greeted with hugs and handshakes and lots of help unloading. The health department has received toothbrushes in the past, but it’s been a while back, and workers knew that new ones would be welcomed by fami­ lies. Purchasing manager Mona McClain and Wilma Havens, R.N., said that the blankets would be distributed to families for Christmas, and that the dental hygiene items would be used during well child exams. “A lot of kids abuse toothbrushes, so we take the opportunity to educate them and encourage dental care,” Mona said. Wilma has been involved in public health for 26 years and knows that low-

Three warehouses store Operation Sharing goods. In addition to the ware­ house and office in Lancaster, there is a large warehouse adjacent to CAP’s administrative office in Hagerhill. The third warehouse is in Jackson County, at the site of CAP’s wreath factory. The Jackson County location stores Operation Sharing goods during the “off-season” of wreath production, which makes it more convenient for groups close to Tyner to pick up materials. It’s tempting to talk about Operation Sharing as an enormous program involv­ ing millions of dollars in goods and hundreds of thousands of recipients. However, one gets a much better picture of the real value of Operation Sharing by climbing into the delivery truck with Terry Harmon, Operation Sharing’s program coordinator, and Chad Isaacs, the truck driver, and traveling with them to make deliveries along the “Interstate The Mountain Spirit

income families generally have to devote so much of their income to food that little is left for items like toothbrushes. Before Terry and Chad left Owingsville, they stopped at the Chris­ tian Social Service Center. Glenmary Sister Kathleen Mulcrone founded CSS and it operates with a subsidy from the sisters, “but we’re trying to become independent,” said Marcelle Doggett, the center’s director. Getting to the small CSS office means walking through its used clothing store, crowded with customers as well as merchandise. Situated in a large display behind the cash register is the load of Operation Sharing “stuff,” and a sign that says “Free With Every Purchase.” “We help people in need who some­ times fall between the cracks,” Marcelle said. “We help them with food, clothing, housing, utility deposits, and medicine. Sometimes people come to us saying that they need food, but what they really need is just to talk. Sometimes they have so

There was paint, wallpaper and caulking to improve the looks of the homes, inside and out . .. How can I tell the value of the coats and sweaters that have kept our people warm?

Whitley City United Methodist Church Whitley City, Kentucky

many needs they don’t know where to start.” Sister Kathleen said that one of their first priorities is to get children to school with dignity, and that goods from Opera­ tion Sharing fit well in that goal as they provide clothing, shoes, pencils and notebooks. Terry’s and Chad’s next stop was in Morehead where they met Mary Westcot, director of Rowan County’s Christian Social Service Center which was also founded by the Glenmary Sisters. “We’ve found that the needs in our counties are different,” Mary said. “In Rowan County we have more networking, a phenomenal network, really. There’s a neat spirit of cooperation here.” Mary said that the materials they receive from Operation Sharing are distributed through their used clothing store, which has a unique method of attracting customers. “One of our board members, a client member, noted there was no place within four counties to pay a phone bill in cash and asked if our rummage store could serve that function.” Mary noted that many poor people cannot bear the service charges of a checking account, and therefore pay their bills in the utility offices, in cash.

Operation Sharing program coordinator Terry Harmon updates records with Mary Westcot, director o f the Christian Social Service Center in Rowan County.

March-April 1996

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The garden seeds are a valuable asset to improve the self-sufficiency of 600-700 families in our rural area.

Licking Valley Community Action Project, Flemingsburg, Kentucky

She decided to allow the phone company to use the CSS used clothing store as a site for paying phone bills, and since then, about 1600 people have come through its doors each month. Operation Sharing goods are distributed to store customers, as well as burn-out victims. Mary and her board are working toward filling more of their needs locally, and to enlarge their growing network between churches and other service providers and people in need. They said goodbye to Mary, and Chad decided to take U.S. Highway 60 to the last stop. Bethany House, 40 miles east in Olive Hill, was receiving its first delivery from Operation Sharing. Like the Christian Service Centers in Bath and Rowan counties, Bethany House was

founded by the Glenmary Sisters, and also operates with the support and involvement of people in the county. Shelia Jordan came to Bethany House in 1984 for help studying for her GED and now works as an employee, “and as a volunteer!” she said. The used clothing store, a cornerstone of the service Bethany House provides in Carter County, attracts shoppers as well as local volunteers. “People who come to help us get out of the house, see people and see what comes in with the donations. Sometimes we even have lunch, but we always have fun,” Shelia said. Although Bethany House is a newer Operation Sharing recipient, they have been involved with CAP for several years through the human development grant program. In addition to their used clothing store and adult education program, Bethany House provides no­ interest revolving loans for folks making home repairs and has a “Good Neighbor” program which helps people with food and utilities and will distribute the goods Bethany House receives from Operation Sharing. “I’ve gone through some hard times,” Shelia said, “and I’m glad Bethany House was here.” The guidelines that describe organiza­ tions eligible to receive goods from Operation Sharing are intentionally drawn very broadly according to Charlie. “We give to groups with missions similar to ours,” Charlie said. “Just about the only thing we ask is that goods not be sold. I don’t know of anybody who works with gifts-in-kind that distributes them the way we do. I think that’s why we’ve been so successful.” Operation Sharing has been successful, too, in containing the cost of distributing

“I don’t know o f anybody who works with gifts-in-kind that distributes them the way we do. I think that's why we ve been so successful, ” said Operation Sharing manager Charlie Deaton.

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The Mountain Spirit

1 goods. “We never pay for goods, and we try to get things delivered,” Charlie said. “If that’s not possible, we try to share the cost, but we will pick up a load, if we have to. We don’t charge programs for delivery, but we’ve had a few groups pay the cost of freight for large donations we’ve given them.” The Operation Sharing offices in Lancaster receive an average of 25 to 30 telephone calls every day, and workers are often greeted with “What do you have today?” Nearly 1100 groups received goods from Operation Sharing in 1995, and they are encouraged to call often regarding material that might be avail­ able. Sometimes, though, the call is from a new group, asking how they can become a part of Operation Sharing. “It’s not hard,” Terry said. “We have a simple application form with the name of the organization, contact person.” “We hold things for five days, while the human development staff contacts the staff in CAP programs to let them know what we have, and to tell them to come get it, if they need it.” Charlie said. “After that waiting period is over, it’s open to anyone with an Operation Sharing card.”

I wasn’t aware of the full extent of your programs until recently. I’m really impressed with how much you folks do! Literacy Council of Buncombe County, Asheville, North Carolina

dedication of Calvary Baptist Church, in Irvine, Kentucky, which received Opera­ tion Sharing materials for its renovation. A note from a church in Rainsville, Alabama, thanked them for Bibles which they distributed to “lost people.” The Cambria County Community Action Council in Johnstown, Pennsylvania proclaimed itself “knee deep in literature — now on to distribution!” That must have been how the Operation Sharing folks felt when they were looking at that first load of children’s books in 1986.

Terry and Charlie agree that their favorite parts of working with Operation Sharing are visiting recipients and delivering goods. “We stay in touch to make sure that we’re serving needs the best we can. It also maintains a good relationship. These folks are our friends, and you like to see and talk to your friends,” Terry said. Charlie keeps a file, which grows larger every month, of letters from recipients thanking Operation Sharing. Some of the notes are typed on official­ looking letterhead, addressed “Dear Mr. Deaton,” but far more are handwritten on simple note cards, addressed “Dear Charlie, Terry, Johnny, Janet, Thelma and Jessie,” the Lancaster Operation Sharing staff. One note was an invitation to the

March-April 1996

Operation Sharing truck driver Chad Isaacs off-loads a box o f toothbrushes at the Gateway District Health Department.

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Around the Project CAP Receives ARC Grant for Youth Leadership Initiative

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GABRIEL

CAP has received a grant for $103,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission to establish a “Youth Leadership Initiative.” The initiative will begin in Jackson County, the site of Camp Andrew Jackson, according to Ike Adams, manager of CAP’s manager of foundation grants. Part of the money, he said, will be allotted to a building for the program, although it has not yet been decided whether to raise a new building or renovate an existing structure. Camp Andrew Jackson manager Peggy Hancock and two volunteers are working on the program, “with great support from Pat Hagan (her supervisor),” Ike said. “They’re going to devise a curriculum for a hundred kids from Jackson, Owsley, Rockcastle, Clay and southern Madison counties. We’re going to start with fifth and sixth graders, middle school kids and even work some with high schools,” Ike said. “There are all kinds of leader­ ship initiatives for adults, run by adults. This program will work to involve social groups, civic groups and other leaders with youth. And we’ll try to get the youth involved with them. Up until now, kids really haven’t been exposed to leadership.” Lots of organizations develop adult leadership, Ike said, “and there’s nothing wrong with that. But we let the kids drop out and become delinquent. If we match them up with leaders now, we’ll have the leadership we need by the time the kids get to be adults.

Camp Andrew Jackson hosts nearly 600 boys and girls each summer, ages 6 through 14. Program manager Peggy Hancock hopes to enhance leadership activities during the 1996 camping season.

We’re going to encourage civic groups to be mentors and teach kids what they do and how they do it.” Peggy and other CAP workers will facilitate groups of kids, helping them to identify commu­ nity programs to which they can address themselves at an early age. “Most kids would say that they don’t want their peers dropping out of school,” Ike said. “They’ll identify problems like

that, as well as solutions and put together an action plan for the community.” Leadership activi­ ties will be a part of the summer camping program, and there is a possibility of a youth leadership conference, Ike said. “At the end of the year, we’ll have a student body recruited that we’ll work with after the grant ends, and we’ll have a model program that can be used by others.”

Sanders Appointed Acting President When Mike McLaughin resigned as CAP’s president, founder Father Ralph Beiting and the board of directors appointed senior director Mike Sanders as acting president for the three to six months that they expect to search for a new president. Mike calls his appointment “exciting. I hope that we can pull all of the key people together to work with the front line people to make better decisions.” A native of Pike County, Kentucky, who began working for CAP in 1984, Mike has military service, production and mining

experience in his background. He has been spending about three days a week in the Lancaster administrative offices. “That’s meant a lot of travel time, but it’s been helpful to me to see the daily workings and to be a part of prayer over here.” Mike and his wife, Jackie, have three children, one of whom still lives at home. “They think as much of CAP as much as I do, so they’ve been very supportive.” Both out-going president Mike McLaughlin and the board have made his transition easier, and Mike thanked them for their help. The Mountain Spirit

around the project. . . continued CAP Area Gets Some Weather

March-April 1996

drive vehicle, for assistance taking the lady to the hospital. “A local pastor tried to drive her one day, but ended up in a ditch trying to get to her house.” In addition to phone calls, workers visited folks who live in town, wrote notes and baked cookies for distribution when the weather cleared. “In most cases, the roads were clear by the time the notes got there, but at least folks knew we were thinking about them,” Zayda said.

If your employer has a payroll deduction giving program, you may donate to any tax exempt [501 (c) 3] charity of your choice — including CAP! If you would like to use this easy way to make your gifts to CAP, please designate: Christian Appalachian Project 322 Crab Orchard Road Lancaster, KY 40446 Please be sure to include CAP’S address when you make your request. GABRIEL

During the second week of January many people and areas of the United States saw the “Blizzard of ’96,” and the southern Appalachian region was no exception. CAP programs were stopped in their tracks by as much as two feet of snow. It was difficult to get to the CAP administrative offices in various counties, but it was almost impossible to see most of the people in homebound programs, according to folks who work in elderly services, ParentsAre-Teachers and outreach. When roads are icy and snowcovered, it is CAP’S safety policy to ban travel, so workers must be more creative in meeting the needs of the people they see on a regular basis. Zayda Hurd and Sandi Knight manage CAP’S elderly services, a program which goes into over­ drive when snow is predicted. “We had good warning with the storm, so some of the folks were able to get their food in, and their prescriptions filled,” said Sandi. Workers were able to keep up with their elderly friends by phone, Zayda said. “And we have three ladies in Madison County who made phone contacts for us, so they kept us up-to-date on how everyone was doing.” Zayda, thankfully, had no emergency situations while the roads were hazardous, but Sandi told of a lady in one of her counties who had a son in the intensive care unit of the local hospital. “She called us in tears every day, she was so worried about him. We tried to find ways to get her to the hospital.” Sandi called on both the local rescue squad and the funeral home director, who had a four-wheel

Can You Use a Payroll Deduction?

Snowy roads are rarely plowed in the rural areas o f Kentucky’. In some shady areas, roads remain hazardous fo r many days.

What Can I Do To Help CAP? Christian Appalachian Project supporters often ask what more they can do to eliminate suffering in Appalachia. First, you can tell others of the problems in Appala­ chia which you learn about in The Mountain Spirit and other CAP publications. Please share this magazine with a friend and we’ll send a replacement. Ask us about any of the problems in Appalachia and we’ll be happy to share any knowledge we have or to refer you to another organization that can help you. Secondly, you can give us a most valuable commodity — time. Since 1950, millions of hours have been donated to helping the

people of Appalachia help themselves and their families out of poverty. If you would like to volunteer three weeks or more to working in Appalachia, please contact The Mountain Spirit, so that information can be given to the volunteer department. Finally, our most powerful form of assistance is prayer. We believe that if our supporters spend at least one minute a day praying for poor people every­ where, mountains can be moved, the course of rivers can be changed. The CAP family forms a powerful prayer network reaching into Appalachia and across the nation.

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around the project. . . continued

CAP Programs Thank Operation Sharing

Respecting the wishes o f deceased loved ones, or in honor o f them, families often request that memorials be sent to us. Memorial gifts live on to benefit others. Many also specify memorial gifts in their wills. Any size gift is welcome. Contact us fo r more information.

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One of the most treasured donations, Kathleen said, was Emmanual, a book of psalms and other references from Scripture. “We went through Emmanual and picked out quotes that we that we thought described each individual and the work they do, and printed them and mounted them on a frame for their desks.” Those inspirational quotes and thank you letters from the participants in the Lincoln County programs made the holidays a little brighter. “It really meant a lot to us,” said Operation Sharing procurement specialist Johnny Thompson.

Mountain Spirit. Please print

O ld A ddress address city state

ZIP code

N ew A ddress address city state

ZIP code

Mail to: The Mountain Spirit 322 Crab Orchard Road Lancaster, Kentucky 40446

Learning Center Gives GED Tests Adult Learning Center manager Lisa Bosley reports that GED testing at the center in Rockcastle County has been very successful. The high school equivalency test is given to twenty to thirty students twice a month. “Most of the people taking the test are our students, but others

come from Berea, Stanford, Jackson County.” Lisa said that the Adult Learning Center is very acces­ sible to students, who would otherwise have to take the test at Eastern Kentucky University. “They might take it eventually, but a lot of people would keep putting it off and never do it.” CORSALE

Operation Sharing manager Charlie Deaton and his staff receive notes of thanks from many of the recipients of the gifts-in-kind they distribute. None, they say, are more appreci­ ated than the ones they receive from managers and participants of CAP’S programs. A note from Peggy Hancock, manager of Camp Andrew Jackson, thanked them for their support “especially of summer camp. Because of you and all your help, children that came to camp with shoes two sizes too small, left with shoes that fit. Children now have jeans to wear when school starts . . . thanks — you guys are great!” The folks who work in CAP’S programs in Lincoln County hosted the Operation Sharing workers at a service and chili lunch during the days before Christmas, according to ParentsAre-Teachers manager Kathleen Leavell. “We all made something for lunch to thank them for the effect that their work has on our people.” The hosts decorated a Christ­ mas tree with Operation Sharing items, like toothbrushes, gloves, even a shower head, “anything that we could get to hang on a Christmas tree.”

Moving? Please notify us of any change of address to make sure you receive every issue of The

CAP adult education programs have assisted over 1000 people to attain high school equivalency diplomas.

The Mountain Spirit

around the project. . . continued

Gift Annuities

CAP staff participated a recent Americorp training. (L-R), Assistant director Jim Morris, program coordinator Carla Durand and manager o f volunteer houses Barb Delmonico.

Worker Participates in Community Literacy Project When former CAP volunteer Betsy Olson took a job as the Christian Appalachian Project’s volunteer recruiter, she moved to Lancaster, and began looking for ways to become involved with her new hometown. During her volunteer days, Betsy was an adult education teacher in Owsley County, and wanted to continue to work as a tutor in her off-work hours. With the encouragement of several former CAP volunteers, Betsy became involved in the Garrard County Literacy Project, which recently hired Phyllis Elder as its director. “She’s really moved the group along,” Betsy said. The project is broadening its scope to include adult education as well as literacy, Phyllis said, and it’s working to define its role. Currently, 17 students are enrolled, five of whom have also been enrolled in CAP’s literacy program. To recruit students Phyllis has coordinated efforts with the adult advisory council to produce a

March-April 1996

program advertising all of the programs in the county. “We distributed them in many places. Doctors’ offices, grocery stores. We even printed a placemat which they used in restaurants. We’re using every tool we can to saturate people with knowledge about literacy, so that they’ll value education and get in­ volved,” Phyllis said. “Word of mouth has been really good for us, too. I was putting some brochures in a pizzeria, and the woman who was working there told me she needed to get her husband involved.” Phyllis has lived in Kentucky for ten years, and recently moved to Garrard County from Lexing­ ton. “I prayed that I would find a job where people are important, and this is the job God told me would be here. It’s satisfying to meet people and see their desire to learn to read. Last week one of students told me that he was able to read a word on a sign for the first time in his life. And he’s in his 50s.”

A gift annuity to the Chris­ tian Appalachian Project will help us continue to provide em­ ployment opportunities to Ap­ palachian people. This activity is an essential part of our mis­ sion to help people help them­ selves. But, what is a gift annuity? It’s a legal agreement by which you make a gift to CAP and receive a guaranteed life income in re­ turn. For a more complete expla­ nation, write today for your free copy of "Giving Through Gift Annuities" by filling out the cou­ pon below and enclosing it in the envelope provided. Clip and send

Christian Appalachian Project 322 Crab Orchard Road Lancaster, Kentucky 40446 N am e___________________ Address_________________ C ity _____________________ State, Z IP ________________ Date of Birth______________ Telephone________________

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-----around the project. . . continued--------

Outreach Workers to Compile Material for Book

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this year. “We asked people what kinds of seed they would want if the packets included fewer varieties. They said potatoes, com, beans; the kinds of vegetables that you can grow in quantity, and put up for the winter.” In past years, Bev said, they have also received packets of seed from individual donors and hope to receive similar donations this year. “We’ll need those more than

ever, now,” Bev said. “In the past we’ve used them as ‘extras,’ and taken them out with us on garden visits. This year we’ll include them with the packages at the beginning of the season.” Gardeners will also receive seedling trees this year, which have been provided to CAP by the Ecological Crossroads Foundation, a Kentucky group that obtains surplus trees from nurseries. CAP ARCHIVES

Caseworkers in the Christian Appalchian Project’s outreach program are working to be able to “give back,” at the end of the harvest season, said manager Bev Potter. “As we’ve been visiting people and signing them up we’ve been asking them to begin thinking of something they can tell us that we can include in a booklet. We’re asking for folklore, gardening tips, inspirational verses, even recipes, even though a lot of our people never use recipes. One lady told me she cooks the ‘old-timey’ way,” Bev said. The book has also proved to be a good ice-breaker for folks who come in talk about emergency needs, Bev said. “It’s good be to be able to ask people to participate in a project when they come in to ask for food or for help with a bill. It helps get their minds off their troubles, and thinking about a way to help someone else.” People who participate in CAP’S elderly services program have also been asked to contribute to the book. Bev said that the book will include art work from gardeners and even some pictures. Several of the counties have started women’s support groups; these groups will help to compile and collate the books. “We hope that people will feel more a part of the CAP family by giving us a contribution to use in the book.” Because the company that has made large in-kind donations of seed in the past has taken a hiatus for 1996, Bev said that they are concentrating more on “staples,”

CAP outreach workers register nearly two thousand families to receive seed, seed potatoes and fertilizer. They visit each gardening fam ily at least once during the season.

CAP Participates in KECC Although the Christian Appala­ chian Project receives support from throughout the United States, it is good to know that support also comes from within the borders of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In 1995 CAP partici­ pated in the Kentucky Employees’ Charitable Campaign for the third year. The KECC is a charity drive which enables state employees to make contributions through

payroll deduction. CAP is one of three charities that participate in the campaign. Many members of the CAP family — workers, donors and program participants — were involved in spreading the word about CAP’S work to state employees, according to Teresa McAnly, who coordinated CAP’S effort. “Every year our share has grown, and we had a big increase this year,” Teresa said.

The Mountain Spirit

around the project. . . continued Outreach Starts in Johnson County Johnson County is the site of CAP’s newest outreach office, according to manager Judy Crum. A little over a year ago, CAP moved its administrative office in Floyd County to a new location near Paintsville. “Since we’ve been at Hagerhill we’ve discov­ ered quite a bit of need here,” Judy said. Like the other out­ reach offices, the Johnson County office will offer emergency assistance, a gardening program and Christmas baskets. Currently, gardens are the focal point, as caseworker Elizabeth Miller visits families who want to participate. “I’m excited!” said Liz, who worked in Magoffin County before her move. “I like going into a new county. I like to meet new people and attack new challenges.”

Liz has worked in Floyd, Magoffin, Lawrence and Martin counties, and “probably, I’ll see a lot of same needs, but I’m always surprised at how different people are in the different counties. It’s amazing, really, how unique the people are, even though they might have the same problems.” The creation of the office in

Christian Appalchian Project is a participating agency in the Combined Federal Campaign. Federal and military employees can contribute to CAP by desig­ nating #0898 on the CFC pledge card.

Johnson County follows CAP’s pattern of reaching into counties where there is a need to be filled. CAP also has outreach offices in Lancaster and Louisa.

Literacy Program Succeeding in McCreary County Families Growing Together, which is the name of CAP’s family literacy program in McCreary County, is going well, according to adult education manager Lisa Bosley. “Thirteen women and 20 children are enrolled, and they love it!” Each mother has an education goal, Lisa said, “They’re working on GEDs, college prep,

even drivers’ licenses.” The children range in age from infancy to five, and participate in child development activities while their moms study. Moms have begun planning instructional time for the children which includes a group activity, then playtime with the children. “This helps the moms understand what their children learn through play,” Lisa said.

Volunteers Needed for Summer Camp Adventure! The CAP volunteer program needs summer camp counselors to staff gen­ eral, special needs and specialty camps. We are seeking high-energy men and women, age 18 or older for the months of June, July and August. We would like a commitment of at least two months, but a 3-7 week stay can be arranged. Room and board is provided. For more information about volunteer­ ing for summer, or for a year or more, contact the Christian Appalachian Project Volunteer Office, 235 Lexington St., Lancaster, KY 40444, 1-800-755-5322.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Summer Application deadline is April 12,1996. March-April 1996

The CAP Closeup

“ . . . I feel like I ’m helping people. That’s just the kind o f person I am. ” Darlene Johnson.

Seventeen years ago a young mother of two little girls who lived in Garrard County was looking for a job. Although she had never heard of the Christian Appalachian Project, a friend told her about a job that might be available. It was, and Darlene Johnson began working on the 12-station inserter in CAP’S letter shop. As one of a crew of nearly 50 people, Darlene’s work involves mailing over 20 million letters a year, as part of CAP’S fund raising efforts.

♦ 16

“I enjoy what I do,” said Darlene. “I know that CAP helps people and I like to help other people that need help.” Darlene said that she’s not really sure what she would have done if she hadn’t found her job at CAP, but knows for certain that she would have found a job some­ where. “I guess I could have gone on welfare, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to work.”

In the years that she has worked for CAP, Darlene has watched — and helped, through her work — the organization grow bigger, bringing more jobs and helping even more people. When she first started working, Darlene was able to find care for her daughters, Jennifer and Tiffany, at the Sunshine Center, CAP’S child development center in Lancaster. When her daughters

Story and photos by Margaret Gabriel ♦ The Mountain Spirit

Darlene Johnson attended, the Sunshine Center served as a day care center, as well as a child development program, giving mothers the opportunity to provide their children with high quality care at a nominal cost. Her daughters learned a lot at the Sunshine Center, Darlene said, and she believes that their experi­ ence helped them when they went on to public elementary school. “They didn’t have much when they were going to school. They’ve come a long way from the time when I started working here. We had it hard then. It’s a whole lot easier now.” Darlene said that her work at CAP has helped the family come that long way, and that her husband, Joey Johnson, to whom she has been married for eight years, has a good job as well. When Darlene first started working for CAP she was sta­ tioned all day, every day at the same machine. Several years ago, however, folks in the letter shop began to rotate to a new machine once a day in an effort to reduce the incidence of repetitive motion injuries. This new practice, Darlene said, gives her and her co­ workers a change of scenery, and a new person to talk to. “You get new things to talk about.” Darlene said that aside from experience with different ma­ chines, her job hasn’t changed that much over the years, except in the number of letters that are mailed. The fall, when they are mailing out letters for Christmas, is the busiest time of the year, although some­ times are busier than others. Darlene and her co-workers know March-April 1996

that they are being called on for higher production when their machines are turned up just a notch higher, or they’re putting in some overtime, she said. “I’ve always been able to keep up,” she said. “I always do the best I can do, and as many as I can. It makes me feel better.” In the past, Darlene and the others in the letter shop have had the opportunity to tour CAP’S programs, giving them an opportu­ nity to observe the work that they are a part of. She enjoyed seeing the programs that worked with children with disabilities, and elderly people. Through those tours, and written material that CAP provides, Darlene said she feels that she has a good idea of what CAP is doing. “It doesn’t make that big a difference in the way I work, but knowing what CAP’s doing

encourages me to always do the best that I can. You have to do whatever you can.” The phrase “The CAP Family” is one that is heard often in the halls and workstations of the Christian Appalachian Project, and it’s folks like Darlene, who talk with co-workers for hours every day as they do their jobs, that brings life to that phrase. It’s that kind of camaraderie that Darlene enjoys the most about her job. She said she gets fed up sometimes, “But I always come to the conclu­ sion that I’d do that anywhere. I like the work I do, and I have a good boss.” Darlene likes living in Lancaster and likes having her family close by. In fact, aside from an occa­ sional paper cut, Darlene seems to be pretty content with her lot. “I like my job — I feel like I’m helping people. That’s just the kind of person I am.” ‘O'

Darlene operates a machine with co-worker Diana Leavell. Most o f the machines in the letter shop require two people to operate them. With the daily rotation, workers get the opportunity to work with a lot o f different people.

A young boy leaves the mountains for a special day a short story ♦ by Garry Barker ♦ 18

When Vernon’s essay on the new statewide school funding program won first place for Finch County, Elsie Watts took the tinted photograph of her Aunt Manila out of the ornate frame and hung Vernon’s certificate on the wall behind the big Warm Morning heat stove. “There,” Elsie said proudly. “Now everybody can see how Vernon beat out all of them sixth graders from town.” That old thing ain’t nothin’,” scoffed Roy. “When does he get the ten dollars?” “After they judge the state contest,” said Elsie. “Vernon’s paper is over in Frankfort right now.” She smiled, “He might win that one, too,” “For the whole of Kentucky?” Roy snickered. Don’t you laugh,” warned Elsie. “Miss Cook, she said Vernon’s got a good chance.

The Mountain Spirit

Vernon and his old dog Rex were asleep in the sunshine, stretched across the warm boards over the cistern, when Liza Cook drove up to bring the good news. Rex yelped and almost bit Vernon when Liza yelled. “You did it, Vernon!” she shrieked. “You won!” Vernon rubbed his eyes and hugged the dog. “Won what?” he mumbled. “The essay contest,” said Liza. “A hundred dollars.” Papers fluttered from her hands. “A trip to Cincinnati. First place in the whole state!” Vernon stared. “I won a hundred dollars?” “More than that,” Liza said happily. “They want you to come to Cincinnati next Wednesday to get your award.” “By myself?” Vernon tried to wake up. “No, silly,” laughed Liza. “I’ll go and the president of the bank that sponsored the contest and his wife. We’ll go to a hotel in Cincinnati, and there will be a thousand people there.” She stopped, puzzled. “Aren’t you excited, Vernon?” “I guess,” he said slowly. “But I told Ovie Gulley I’d haul hay.” “You ain’t going to pitch hay next Wednesday,” Elsie said firmly. “He’ll be ready to go, Miss Cook.” “I’ll pick him up at about 10:00.” said Vernon’s teacher. She stopped to pet Rex, who was sniffing at her ankles, hugged Vernon and made him blush, and almost danced back to her car. Vernon looked around him, at the seven Watts children who were staring curiously. “What’re you all gawking at?” he demanded. “You get a whole hundred dollars,” whispered Reba. “I never seen nobody March-April 1996

that had a hundred dollars before.” “I ain’t got nothing yet,” grunted Vernon. Harper, at supper, grinned happily. “How come you come to know so much about school money, anyhow?” he asked Vernon. Vernon shrugged. “It was all in the stuff they give me. I just wrote it down.” “Must have wrote it down awful good,” Harper said proudly. “Elsie, you got to give this youngen a haircut before he goes off to hobnob with them bankers.” “I got to do more than that,” said Elsie. “I got to find him new shoes and a suit and a necktie.” “A necktie?” wailed Vernon. “Why?” “A body just don’t go to a fancy Cincinnati hotel in work clothes,” snorted Elsie. She sighed. “I wonder if that suit coat Jimmy give Roy would be too big?” The faded maroon corduroy jacket was only a few sizes too large. “I’ll bum up,” protested Vernon. “Set still,” ordered Elsie. She squeezed the handles of the clippers and Vernon jerked. “I could do lots better,” gmmbled Elsie, “if you’d stop squirming and sweating so much.” Vernon’s haircut, from the back, was a choppy series of steps. “Looks pretty good,” said Elsie. “It’d look better if his head wasn’t lopsided,” said Roy. “That big old hump, that’s where Vernon’s brains is,” giggled Priscilla. “You two hush up,” admonished Elsie. “Now we got to find him some shoes.” At Watson’s Dry Goods and Grocery, the only shoes Vernon’s size were a pair of lowcut oxfords, riveted at the seams. “I can order some dress shoes,” offered Bill

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“III watch this woman over here you watch me, and we won get all these forks and knives mixed up. Okay?” Watson. “Have ‘em here in a week.” “These’ll have to do,” decided Elsie. She found a red clip-on bow tie, Roy’s new crinkled yellow nylon shirt, and Harper’s pleated dress pants. Vernon sweated through a dress rehearsal. “Don’t you look fine,” gushed Elsie. After supper, the night before the trip, Harper slipped Vernon two limp dollar bills. “Man’s got to have his own spending money,” he grinned. “Law, Vernon, Cincin­ nati sure is one big place.”

Vernon was up before dawn, dressed by nine, squirming nervously until Liza Cook arrived. He stood and waited for her comments. Liza’s eyes moistened, and she smiled softly. “You’re a fine looking young man, Vernon,” she whispered. Elsie stood in the doorway, twisting her apron. “We done the best we could with what we had,” she said. “Vernon looks great,” Liza said firmly. “Now, it’ll be awfully late when we get back, Elsie. But don’t you worry. I’ll take good care of Vernon.” Vernon was already in Liza’s car. In Finchburg he marveled at banker Ken Wolfe’s new 1954 Ford. “Got a V-8, automatic transmission, and push button radio,” said the banker. Mrs. Wolfe, small and blonde and elegant, was equally impressive and Vernon was tongue-tied. Ken Wolfe drove from Finchburg, crossed over the Ohio River at Maysville, and followed the riverbank to Cincinnati. He pulled into the Coney Island parking lot. “My treat,” announced Ken, as they shared hot dogs and soft drinks. “Ride anything you want to, Vernon.” “We don’t want him to get sick,” warned

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Liza. “Just the easy rides today.” She rode with Vernon through a half dozen of the amusement park’s tamer attractions. Then they drove through Cincinnati, past Crosley Field where Vernon’s hero, Ted Kluszewski, played first base for the Reds, past Fountain Square, finally into the parking garage of a downtown hotel. In the lobby Ken pushed a button and doors slid open. “What’s that thing?” asked Vernon. “An elevator,” said Liza. “We studied them in our history class. Remember?” Vernon held his breath as the doors slid shut and the elevator lurched upwards. By the time it stopped he was gagging. In the hallway his stomach finally settled down. “That was fun,” Vernon said. Mrs. Wolfe laughed. “He likes the elevator better than Coney Island,” she said. “Just wait until we go down, Vernon.” A chattering crowd moved around a dimly lit room, glasses clinking. Vernon sniffed. “Smells like varnish,” he said. “Can I get a Pepsi, Miss Cook?” Vernon gulped down three glasses of cola while the others sipped at their drinks. A half hour before dinner Liza pulled Vernon aside and pointed to the speakers table, elevated above the others. “You’ll sit up there,” she said. “I’ll be at a table with the Wolfes.” Vernon nodded. “And,” continued Liza, opening her large purse and taking out some papers, “there’s one more thing. Vernon, out of all the winners, they chose your essay to be read tonight.” Vernon paled. “Who’s going to read it?” Liza beamed. “You!” Vernon, dazed, sat in the comer and read his essay aloud, twice, while Liza and the Wolfes listened. Liza smiled wistfully at Vernon’s soft accent. “They’ll love you,” she The M ountain S p irit

finally announced. Vernon was introduced to the older winners, sleek and sophisticated teenagers from Louisville and Bowling Green and Paducah. The girl from Louisville inspected Vernon. “You must be some brain,” she said. “Just in the sixth grade and your essay was the one they picked to be read.” Vernon blushed and said nothing, but listened to the others talk about movies and records and dates. A hostess led him to the speakers table to a seat beside a tall, grayhaired man in a business suit. Vernon panicked at the array of spoons and forks and dishes. The man beside him chuckled, then leaned across and whispered, “Son, I don’t have any idea of how to eat with all this hardware, but I’ve figured out how to keep the two of us from looking ignorant. I’ll watch this woman over here, you watch me, and we won’t get all these forks and knives mixed up. Okay?” Vernon nodded gratefully. But he balked at the tall cup of raw fish and ketchup placed before him. From the comer of his eye he watched the grayhaired man take a shrimp by the tail, dip it in cocktail sauce, and bite off all but the end. Vernon tried. It was cold, fishy and slick. He pushed the cup away. “A little nervous, son?” The tall man smiled. “I know how you feel. You’re the boy from Finch County, aren’t you? The one with eight brothers and sisters?” “Yes sir,” mumbled Vernon. “Don’t you worry about a thing,” the man said. “I’ll help you make it through all this foolishness.” Vernon toyed with a plate of salad, papery roast beef, cold peas, then gulped down a little dish of ice cream. The speeches started. Vernon didn’t hear a word. He was too busy reading over his essay, trying to calm his March-April 1996

stomach. “You’re up next,” the man whispered. He winked. “When you get up there, Vernon, just look out yonder and pretend all those people are sitting there in their underwear.” Vernon giggled. He didn’t hear a word of his introduction, stumbled as he walked to the podium, looked out and was suddenly relieved. Under the glare of the podium lights in the dim banquet hall, Vernon couldn’t even see the audience. He took a deep breath and read. “The foundation program gives a guaran­ teed level of educational opportunities to every child. The program is, frankly, for better schools for the children of Kentucky.”

In the audience, Wanda Wolfe leaned to whisper to Liza. “It’s amazing, Liza. To see Vernon, and hear him talking, you’d never believe he could write a paper like that.” “A lot people make the mistake of judging our mral students by their appearance and speech,” Liza said grimly. “Vernon Watts is one child who will do a lot in the next few years to change that way of thinking.” She smiled, “I just wish Elsie could be here.” Vernon finished, said “Thank you,” like Miss Cook had said to, and listened wonderingly to the applause. He stood again, dazed, to accept a certificate and an enve­ lope, then was led to the side for a barrage of flashbulbs and questions. Vernon’s dinner partner posed with him. “He’s a regular little Abe Lincoln,” the tall man said happily. “My friend Vernon Watts will make his mark. Just you watch.” In the car Liza hugged Vernon again. “Have you opened your envelope?” Vernon fumbled and pulled out a strange

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certificate. “What is this?” he asked. “I was supposed to get a hundred dollars. “It’s U.S. savings bond,” Liza ex­ plained. “Is it the same as money?” Vernon asked anxiously. “It don’t look like money.” “It’s good as gold,” chuckled Ken Wolfe. “You can keep it seven years and get $ 100 or bring it to the bank and I’ll give you about $85 right now.” “It says a hundred dollars,” protested Vernon. “They cheated me.” “No, they didn’t,” laughed Ken. “Hey, Vernon, the senator sure took a liking to you, didn’t he?” “What senator?” asked Vernon. “Didn’t he tell you? The man who sat beside you?” “Nope,” said Vernon. “But he never knowed how to eat with all them forks neither, so he watched the woman on the other side and told me to watch him.” Ken burst out laughing, shook his head, and steered the car through thinning traffic. “What’s so funny?” Vernon asked Liza. “That man beside you was U.S. Senator John Sherman Cooper.” “It was?” Vernon’s jaw dropped. “But, he didn’t talk like no senator.” Liza smiled. “That’s part of why everybody in Kentucky loves him so much, Vernon. Senator Cooper is a great man.” “A United States senator.” Vernon sat, pondering. “I bet that’s why they took his picture so much.” “You got it, Vernon,” chuckled Ken. Ten miles out of Cincinnati Vernon was sound asleep, snug in Liza Cook’s arms. “That’s some boy,” Ken said softly. “And I guarantee you this is one day he’ll remember for the rest of his life.” “So will I,” whispered Liza.

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Vernon stumbled to Liza’s car in Finchburg, and couldn’t wake up when they got to the house and found Elsie awake and waiting. Vernon handed her his certificate and went to bed. Elsie stood with Liza on the porch. “You would have been so proud, Elsie,” said Liza. “Vernon read his paper to a thousand people and didn’t make one mistake. And he sat next to Senator Cooper the whole time.” “I reckon you get the credit,” said Elsie. “Vernon thinks you’re the grandest thing there ever was.” “I feel the same way about him,” smiled Liza. “I can’t wait to hear Vernon’s version of the trip.” “You’ll likely wait a long while,” smiled Elsie. “He don’t talk a whole lot.” Vernon did, the next afternoon, describe the trip in exacting detail. His audience, Rex, wagged his tail and licked Vernon’s hand. The rest got only short answers to their questions. On Saturday, Vernon rode into Finchburg with a neighbor, cashed in his bond for $86, and bought himself a new Cincinnati Reds baseball cap. For Elsie, he bought a foot-long black glass cat with fiery red eyes. He gave her the rest of the money and never did remember to ask what she used it for. Liza Cook brought clippings from the newspaper and pictures of Vernon and the senator which Elsie stored safely away. And a week later, Bill Watson let Elsie swap back Vernon’s new shoes, still in their original box, for a bag of flour and ten pounds of sugar. ft Garry Barker is the director o f the Berea College Student Crafts Program. His latest book, Notes from a Native Son, will be reviewed in the May-June issue o f The Mountain Spirit. The Mountain Spirit

Letters to the Editor I do enjoy reading The Moun­ tain Spirit! It is very well written, the pictures are excellent, and it conveys to the reader a beautiful picture of the love of Christ in action. May God bless each and everyone who gives to make life more comfortable and more meaningful for the poor of Appalachia. Mrs. Helen B. Dawson Southold, N. Y For many years I have made my small donations — the best I can do. Only wish it were more. I enjoy The Mountain Spirit, but I feel sad — so many in need, but the work you are all doing is truly wonderful, you keep so many and brighten many lives. I sincerely hope Father Beiting is enjoying good health by now. He is truly a wonderful, caring person. Too bad there aren’t more in the world like him. You all work so hard, but for such a good cause. Mrs. N.R. Capitanich Stockton, Calif. The Mountain Spirit is a great little news magazine. I enjoy it all and it does make one think about many facets of “Life”.

Greetings to you! I write to thank you and commend you for the July-August 1995 issue of The Mountain Spirit. It was great to hear of the many different minis­ tries in which CAP is serving the poor of Appalachia. As a twenty-something graduate student, I was particularly struck by the article written by Shannon Bristow. She articulated so well the struggles that can be encoun­ tered while trying to “get an education” or pursue a profession. I was encouraged to hear that she chose to listen to her inner calling instead of falling into the profes­ sional, pseudo-intellectual approach of “maintaining an objective distance from people and their problems” (I believe that’s how she referred to the Harvard psychological training approach). Believe it or not, my experience in theological school — preparing to become a minister — has also included a disillusionment with faculty and fellow students who seem to enjoy debating about the “data” of the Christian faith more than loving and caring for people. So it goes . .. Michael Boyle Union Hall, Va.

Read your magazines from cover to cover, reminds me of my childhood in Tennessee — 70 years ago. You are doing a great job, wish I could help more. With love and respect.

Very interesting to learn how you spend your money to benefit the needy. After watching “Dateline” on NBC of how much is wasted on the Appalachian projects from government sources. I wanted to send Father’s last book to Jane Pauley and Stone Phillips. I think it would be very beneficial to let the public see how money is being spent wisely by private help.

Marion Cornelius Federal Way, Wash.

Mrs. Pat Finney Anselmo, Neb.

Ruth Oatley Milford, Ohio

March-April 1996

I have been a great admirer of CAP and a long time subscriber to The Mountain Spirit and truly look forward to every issue. For the first time, I must admit that we were disappointed with your January-February issue. We read the excerpts of “This Land Is Home To Me” and thought at some point we would read excerpts of the 1995 pastoral letter. When we finished the article we realized if we wanted to read it, we could buy it. On page 29 Sister Judy Yunker said, “If the Republican budget goes through and money begins to be allocated through Frankfort we won’t have much. I am afraid that the poor will have to steal from each other to survive.” We resent this statement! This is the first time in any of CAP’S literature, letters, and books that we have seen a political inference and we don’t like it. Ann Bonney Kinnear Morrisville, Pa. We, too, were disappointed that we were not able to include excerpts from “At Home in the Web o f Life. ” Too late to change our plans for the JanuaryFebruary issue, we learned that publication would be withheld past our deadline. Sr. Judy s statement is her opinion which is based on many years o f working in Kentucky. We don’t avoid either side o f issues o f a political nature, and it is not our policy to alter quotes from interview subjects. Letters to the editor are welcome. They should not exceed 150 words in length, and we reserve the right to edit them fo r space. Address letters to: The Mountain Spirit, Christian Appalachian Project, 322 Crab Orchard Road, Lancaster, Kentucky 40446.

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Jerra A Gore Recipient of CAP'S 1996 Pence A w a rd given in recognition ofthe mission of the Rev. Dr. M artin Lather, King, Jr. “First giving honor to God, who is the solace of my life,” Jerry Gore accepted the 1996 Christian Appalachian Project’s Peace Award. The CAP Peace Award honors the work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by recognizing the work of people and groups who strive for justice and equality. Jerry Gore was the fourth recipient of the annual award, and was recognized during a ceremony and reception hosted by CAP at Berea College on January 12, a few days before the national holiday in remembrance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Gore, the Minority Affairs Director for Morehead State University, was selected to receive the award because of his work educating Kentucky students, teachers and other groups about the horrors of slavery and the need for racial under­ standing and human justice for all people. In 1988 he developed the first Underground Railroad Freedom Tour, and since then has conducted more than 60 of these tours. He has given presentations to over 1000 groups, often at his own expense. He also coordinated the opening of the first National Underground Railroad Museum, which opened in his hometown of Maysville, Kentucky, in February, 1995. In doing so, he has learned of some of his own heritage. In a recent article about the CAP

♦ by Lisa Bosley ♦

Peace Award in the Lexington Herald Leader, Gore said “I like to tell people, talk to your elders and learn from the stories they have to tell you. The joy I’m getting out of this research is it gives me a chance to sing that song for those who couldn’t sing it.” A common theme of Gore’s acceptance speech was our connection to a community of people, both living and dead. Gore noted that “to be chosen for such an award is such a signifi­ cant honor that one cannot stand by himself to accept the award. I invite all my ancestors to stand here with me.” Gore captivated the audience with his warm exuber­ ance and strong pride in his heritage, as he described his greatgrandparents as slaves and escap­ ees on the underground railroad. Gore credits his mother with bringing his people’s story to life, telling him of the slaves’ harrowing journey, their courage and persever­ ance. She made him proud to have Jerry Gore addresses the assembly as he accepts the 1996 CAP Peace Award. I_____

The Mountain Spirit

slaves as ancestors. Gore hopes that the Under­ ground Railroad Museum, contrary to making people feel guilty or ashamed, will help people realize the dignity and strength it took to overcome slavery. Mike McLaughlin, CAP’Spast president, said that one of the nicest things about giving the award to Jerry Gore was his excitement at receiving it. “It was great to see him express his joy so openly and to be able to share that joy.” McLaughlin also said that Gore really epitomizes the spirit of the award. “When we were looking for a way to celebrate the national Martin Luther King holiday we thought it would be more meaningful to give an award that recognized the fruits of King’s life work than to give our employees the day off. The principles that King stood for are very important and universally true: people who are wise speak for all of us. The award is meant to acknowledge people who live by King’s principles and inspire us by their example.” These thoughts were echoed by other CAP employees, who agree that the award is an appropriate way to celebrate the King holiday. “Martin Luther King’s dream has compatibility with CAP’S dream,” said Moe Mercier, vice president of human development. “King’s dream addressed the grassroots, people’s need for self­

help and to feel worthy. CAP is a Christian organization — our programs are supposed to be examples of the Good News. The Peace Award promotes the Good News by recognizing King’s principles in action.” Many other CAP employees and volunteers commented on how spiritually renewing the award ceremony was and how they felt invigorated by the messages of Gore and the other speakers. “CAP believes in looking at the root causes of poverty,” said Kathleen Leavell, who manages CAP’S early intervention program and chairs the Peace Committee. “It is so clear to recognize racism as a root cause of poverty. It feels good to work toward healing with people from so many different angles. Participating in the Peace Award ceremony is like singing in harmony — people connected by a single dream. It’s a powerful moment.” Besides giving the annual award and planning the award ceremony, the CAP Peace Committee has charged itself with educating its own members, the extended CAP family, and those with whom they come in contact, of Martin Luther King’s work and his message of love, justice and spiritual empowerment. For Jerry Gore, who experienced ongoing racism as a child and young man, educa­ tion plays a great part in healing all kinds of injustice. “You can’t fight fire with fire,” he said, “you fight with love and understanding . . . it gives you the awareness to reach out to other people . .. One of the greatest challenges to Americans is to try and think and put ourselves in the position of another person. Education opens minds, and helps people learn to change stereotypical attitudes.”

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The Peace Award ceremony is educational, uplifting and spiritually invigorating. It allows a quiet moment to reflect on our own prejudice and lack of understanding, and offers continued hope that injustice and lack of understanding can be overcome. Gwen Newcomb, who works in CAP’S data entry department and sang at the celebration, said, “It meant a lot to me to be there. The Lord was in the place. It was spirit filled.” ft Lisa B osley is the m anager o f CAP s A d u lt L earning C enter and a m em ber o f the P eace Committee. The Lexington Herald-Leader was a source f o r this story.

March-April 1996

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A Prayer

Operation Sharing connects a building supply

and A ns wered manufacturer a fam ily with a ♦ by Beth Dotson ♦ Photos by Margaret Gabriel

do-it-yourself building project

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Tammy and Billy Gregory are in the midst o f a years-long project to remodel their house in McCreary County.

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The Mountain Spirit

To get to Tammy and Billy Gregory’s home in McCreary County, Kentucky, you drive south on the two-lane Highway 27 from the Christian Appalachian Project headquarters in Lancaster. After nearly an hour and a half of driving through the southern Kentucky countryside, as well as one large town (Somerset), you arrive in Whitley City, the McCreary County seat. Whitley City offers a few services and stores, the courthouse and a health center. Many county residents travel to Somerset for shopping expeditions, counseling and medical treatment since availability of these services is limited in McCreary County. Drive up and over approximately 20 more miles of winding, mountainous roads and you find Tammy and Billy Gregory, down a steep hill from Tammy’s parents and her brother Marty, who has been helping with the addition to the Gregory home. The dirt road is so close to vertical that some vehicles can’t tackle it in wet weather. Far from the scattered lights of Whitley City, Tammy and Billy live close to family as they raise their three children in the house they began building roughly eight years ago. Drive north rather than south from Lancaster and you’ll reach Interstate 75, which goes all the way to Toledo, Ohio. Drive straight into the city’s downtown traffic and a couple of blocks from Main Street you’ll find the Fiberglas Tower. It is a multi-story office building that sits on Lake Erie and houses the world headquar­ ters of the Owens-Coming Fiberglas Corporation. More than half of their profits in 1994 came from the manufactur­ ing and sales of building materials. In manufacturing plants across the country, men and women report to work daily to make these materials. In Toledo, Emerson Ross reports to the Fiberglas Tower where he works as the community relations coordinator. One of his missions is to see that Owens-Coming gives back to the building industry that has been so good to them. March-April 1996

That’s why Emerson listened when Johnny Thompson approached him about donating materials to the Christian Appalachian Project’s in-kind distribution program, Operation Sharing. Although CAP didn’t fit the usual grantee profile (Owens-Coming prefers to give grants and materials in communities where they have a manufacturing facility), both men were willing to work on the details that would allow Owens-Coming to donate supplies to help families in Appalachia, like the Gregorys. “My first big word is thanks,” said Tammy Gregory of what she wants to tell the people from Owens-Coming who donated the insulation for her house. “Even though they don’t know it, it was one of my prayers answered.” A lot of hands have been involved in answering Tammy’s prayers that she and Billy could improve their home. When they moved in, it wasn’t the finished home most families expect. Many lowincome families in Appalachia build on family land until their resources mn out, often leaving them with uninsulated walls and floors; cabinets, door frames and floors of bare wood that haven’t been finished; and an outhouse to substitute for a bathroom with a toilet. CAP home repair volunteer Ed Bolles recalled meeting one man who had been saving wood to build a house for six years. Like many other families in the region, he didn’t have the carpentry skills or the tools he needed to make certain the house was level and squared, but he began building anyway. The result is sometimes that repairs and improvements are needed earlier than in professionally-built homes. At the Gregory home, for example, Ed saw that the wall used for the electrical entrance was about to pull off the house. The home repair crew helped the Gregorys reinforce that wall. The house also needed more space because the family had grown from three to five.

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Billy Gregory works the afternoon shift at a local sawmill, so he had time in the mornings to work on improving this house that his family had outgrown. The problem was finding the money and supplies to do it. Tammy remembers filling out a form when she enrolled the children in school on which she noted that they could use help on their home. CAP’s outreach worker in the county learned of their need, and passed on their name to the home repair team. Ed and Dave Harl, another CAP volunteer, visit families who need home repair help to determine how much work there is to do. Ed explains that it’s typically emergency-type work— like repairing a leaking roof, adding insulation or finishing walls. The home repair workers, he said, “are trying to keep families dry, warm and safe.” Typically, the home repair crew has $1,500 to spend on materials. Building supplies are costly, so even $1,500 limits what can be done to help a family stay in a home. Therefore, the home repair workers also depend on help from CAP’s Operation Sharing. The home repair staff tries to stay in touch with Johnny Thomp­ son to know when materials are coming in that they can use. For the Gregory home, Ed and Dave were able to get 104 rolls of insulation that had come in from OwensComing. The Gregorys used it in the uninsulated part of their original four rooms, and in the addition. Ed and Dave also found a sink, cabinet, vanity, towel rack, soap dispenser and toilet paper dispenser for the family. Although they had built a bathroom in their home, it wasn’t completely functional and didn’t have a sink. Johnny initially approached OwensComing about working with CAP while attending a builders’ trade show in 1993. Johnny’s job is to bring potential donors of materials together with CAP. He attends builders’ shows because there, “I can make more contacts in one day than I

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can in one month by phone.” Johnny ap­ proaches the vendors and asks who is in charge of corporate giving, then he contacts them through a letter. “Seventyfive percent of companies are more than willing to hear you out,” Johnny said. He has to show them that CAP has a need, will use their materials responsibly and will complete the paperwork both organizations need to satisfy the Internal Revenue Service. When Emerson Ross replied favorably to Johnny’s initial request to OwensComing, Johnny went to Toledo to meet with him. They agreed to start slowly and see if the system could work for both sides. It did work and donations from Owens-Coming have increased. During fiscal year ‘94-95, Operation Sharing received materials worth $238,964.17 from the company. “I never had a concern about the projects and the usage of the product,” Emerson said about his dealings with Operation Sharing. He explained that he always has to be assured that the group he is donating to will use the materials, not resell them. Emerson’s concern about CAP was a different one. “I had concern about how much freedom I would have as far as getting materials to him, and the handling of the materials,” Emerson described. He emphasized that Owens-Coming is a manufacturer, not a distributor, so getting the product where it needs to be is always an issue. He must work with organiza­ tions that can handle large quantities of

The M ountain S p irit

Giving away materials satisfies a few needs for Owens-Coming. When they have materials that don’t meet specifica­ tions, and thus, can’t be sold through their normal channels, they have three choices — destroy it, put it in a landfill or give it away. “If I destroy it, nobody benefits. If I give it away, there’s a benefit to the organization that needs it. There’s a tax benefit to the corporation, and then we help somebody stay in their home, which is our purpose,” Emerson said. Johnny said that ultimately, OwensComing is helping keep people drier and warmer in the winter. “He (Emerson) wants to know what we’re doing and what is the bottom line. Who are we helping?” Johnny explained. materials. “I have to give away the stuff the way we sell it — in large truckload quantities,” Emerson said. Because of this, Emerson works primarily with two large non-profit organizations when giving away materi­ als. When he encounters smaller organi­ zations that need materials, he tries to hook them up with others in their geographic area. “We believe in people working collaboratively so we’re able to connect things up so everybody gets their needs satisfied,” he explained.

As Emerson has learned more about CAP and the people CAP is helping, the Owens-Coming donations have in­ creased. “As the time has gone by, the friendship and trust between us has grown,” Johnny said. He has also built a relationship with the people at the factory in Mount Vernon, Ohio, that manufac­ tures the insulation. They have helped with material delivery and set up a good channel of communication with Johnny. “It has to be a win-win deal for both of us and it is,” Johnny said.

SS Above, the Gregory’s home renovation includes insulation under the house, which is situated on the side o f a mountain. Left, Billy and Tammy entertain Operation Sharing visitors in their newly decorated living room.

March-April 1996

provided valuable help. On their own, they learned to put up dry wall and texture their ceiling. Now their family room is finished and they have two more rooms to complete. “Maybe some day our friends will need help and we can help them,” Tammy said. The Gregorys also received help from a group of college students from Villanova University in Philadelphia. The students spent one week working on the addition to the home. Dave said that when he has a group of students to work with, he can count on getting a one to two month project finished in one to two weeks. CAP volunteers have put in 282 hours on the Gregory home. L-R, Home repair program manager Jim Lynn talks with volunteer Ed Bolles and Operation Sharing procurement specialist Johnny Thompson.

Emerson agrees. “If you look at the people served by CAP, you can’t find people more worthy, or in any more needy location.” Ed Bolles and Dave Harl will agree that the Gregory family and others in McCreary County are needy and worthy of help from Owens-Coming. “I’m in heaven here,” Ed said. “Every home we go to, they just want to learn.”

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Although Billy said he has lost sleep during this ongoing project, he’s grateful for the help. He and Tammy continue to save $20 or $30 when they can. They hope to purchase rejected wood from the sawmill where Billy works to put over the chipboard floor in the family room. Tammy has decorated the addition with curtains and wall ornaments, but all of the results of this home repair are not things you can see in the house. Warm, dry and safe are important, but so is the feeling you wake up with in the morning. “I feel better about myself. I feel better for my kids,” she said.

Dave pointed out the kitchen cabinets in the Gregory home as an example of that family’s creativity. They are made of plywood, not a material most cabinet makers would advertise for its beauty, but the Gregorys routed the edges to give them a groove, then used a torch to singe the cabinets, bringing out the natural wood grain. “They’re beautiful,” Ed said. They also searched for windows for their home, finding some at a junk store that look new and unused for a bargain price.

Tammy can feel better about herself not only because she lives in an improved house, but because she has made a large contribution to it. She said she has learned that if you work little by little, you will eventually reach your goal. In this case, Owens-Coming, Operation Sharing, CAP volunteers and the Gregorys have worked together to reach that goal. ft

“We’ve learned a lot,” Tammy said. She and Billy put in 187 hours of labor during the time CAP was assisting them and they continue working on the addition. Tammy’s brother Marty has also

Beth Dotson is a former CAP volunteer who now works as a free-lance writer and lives in Lancaster. She is from Lawrenceburg, Indiana.

The Mountain Spirit

CAP Honored at Family Wedding The Christian Appalachian Project became a solid part of Diane’s family in more ways than one when she married Chuck in January. Let’s go back to the beginning. Diane first became involved with CAP when her son, Benjamin, was born. As a young, single mom Diane needed some moral support, which she found when she become involved in “Resource Moms,” part of CAP’S Community Health Advocates. The program puts new moms in touch with each other, as well as older mothers, who can help them learn about infant care and parenting skills. Through CHAP, Diane was introduced to CAP’S adult education program and began studying for her GED. Now, several years later, Diane is an active part of the CAP family. Benjamin is old enough to enroll in a CAP child development program, and Diane actively recruits other GED students, telling them all the wonderful ways CAP has enriched her life. She is dedicated to her studies and comes to class even on days when she must leave Benjamin with a babysitter because the child development center is closed due to foul weather. CAP workers recently learned how much Diane values their friendship. At Diane’s wedding her CAP friends were given honors that are usually reserved for family. She even asked CAP volunteer Kevin Feliciano, her adult education teacher, to be her brother at the wedding. Diane has often expressed her appreciation for the help that CAP has given her. CAP has become more than an organization that has set out to help her, it is the family network that she trusts. We were delighted to share in the joy of this new family, and we know that you deserve the credit for making that joy possible. A gift of $20, $30, $50 to use where it is needed most will enable us to become “family” to people in the future.

Operation Sharing Distributes Gifts-In-Kind • In Fiscal Year 1995 Operation Sharing distributed goods to 1088 churches and community-based programs. • In-kind donations were re­ ceived from 53 organizations. CAP estimates that 601,474 people were impacted by dona­ tions through Operation Sharing. •

• Materials were distributed in all thirteen Appalachian states. • Since its inception in 1986, Operation Sharing has distrib­ uted over $125 million in goods.

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