LOCAL YOUTHS ATTEND WORKCAMP

Several youths from two Cape Girardeau churches spent part of their summer vacation helping to replace decks, paint rooms and remodel homes in South Dakota.

Eight youths and five adults from Westminster and First Presbyterian churches spent a week working at the Yankton Sioux Indian Reservation in Marty, S.D. The group: Becky Christian, David Dean, Lindsey Grissom, Patrick Jernigan, Stephanie Koenig, Alex Schroeder, Kurt Wells, Diana Wilke, Wanda Brown, Gerald Campbell, Charlene Christian, Darryl Henry and Nancy Jernigan.

The youths raised money through chili dinners, pancake breakfasts and garage sales for the trip. The Okiciyapi workcamp was sponsored by Group Workcamps in Loveland, Colo. More than 400 youths from 11 different states were part of the workcamp.

At the camp, the youths were divided into work crews of six and sent to various job sites. Some of the work included painting, replacing decks, weatherizing homes, replacing flooring and installing new roofing for the elderly, low-income and disabled Indians living on the reservation.

The theme for the camp was "Never Be Same."

Through their work, the youths learned about the hardships of poverty in our country, said Nancy Jernigan. "They felt good knowing they made a difference. The workcamp provides young people a unique opportunity to show their Christian faith by working together to help others."