Catholic HEART volunteers return to New Castle for third year
Jun. 17—Students from across the country volunteered their time last week to help the less fortunate in New Castle.
A total of 150 volunteers helped as part of the annual Catholic HEART Workcamp.
"They are a group of teens and adults from all over the country who do home repairs and cleanups as their mission — painting, cleaning, yard work, garage and basement clean outs, trash removal," said Anita McKeever, administrator of community resources at DON Services.
The group was coordinated by Mary Blythe from the Diocese of Greensburg, with McKeever working on behalf of DON to identify projects the volunteers could tackle. This is Blythe's 19th summer working with the program.
They worked in the city from Monday to Thursday and spent their nights at West Middlesex High School.
"This is the third year that they chose New Castle," McKeever said.
Phil Young, one of the group leaders, led his students to paint the offices and outside fence of the City Rescue Mission on South Croton Avenue.
Young said each day the students would start early with breakfast and morning Mass.
They worked from around 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. then returned to the high school for dinner and evening faith-based programs. A banquet wrapped up the week on Thursday.
"It's more than just the work," Young said.
Young said there are 31 Catholic HEART Workcamps spread out across the country.
Students in grades 8 to 12 can sign up to any of the locations, going as little or as far away from home as possible, while also specifying what their skill sets are for work.
"It's been a wonderful experience. I'm beginning to feel New Castle is my community," Blythe said. "I'm loving the community."
Blythe said she enjoys seeing the volunteers, specifically the students, interact with the residents and community organizations in the city.
She said residents and community members were invited to attend the farewell banquet, where they were able to formally thank them for their help.
"It's a very powerful evening. It's a real outpouring of gratitude," Blythe said.
Emily O'Connor, a student from Tennessee, said it is fun to both help those in the community and meet new people. She has been attending the camps the last four years and enjoys visiting different communities in different states.
Michelle Solak, from Ohio, came to support her daughter who also attended.
This was her first camp and said she wanted to return as an adviser. She also said it was the perfect way to celebrate her birthday on Tuesday.
"There's a sense of peace in helping people, especially those less fortunate," Solak said. "It makes you aware of all your blessings back at home."
This was the first year for Indiana students Alex Guinn and Cody Kitts, who said the experience felt rewarding to them and enjoyed seeing different perspectives from others.
Texas student Sadie Ross, in her second year, said she feels motivated to help people in depressed or disadvantaged communities.
First-year Indiana student Nick Kavanaugh said this experience surpassed his expectations and said people volunteer for the trip even if they aren't Catholic.
"It's been great meeting new people," said second-year student Alexander Krajewski from Erie.
Group leader Cheryl Pelkey, from Michigan, has been with the camp for three years and enjoys seeing the students enthusiastic to help others, while first-year group leader Beth Crouch from Wisconsin said she enjoys seeing both the faces of the people the camp helps as well as the faces of the students when the residents thank them.
Blythe said this experience allows the students to see the bigger picture of the world, and to show adults there are still young people that want to reach out and help others.
"It's a good building block to build on," Blythe said.
