Carolina Cross Connection Helps Meet Local Needs By Katie Fennell Carolina Cross Connection (CCC), a Christian outreach ministry for youths and adults, is back in the area this summer and is busy helping those in Ashe, Alleghany, Wilkes, and Watauga counties. Groups and individuals from Christian churches come together as one to help meet the various needs of people in the southern Piedmont and Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, states a brochure provided by CCC. Carolina Cross Connection, a Christian outreach ministry for youths and adults, is in the area this summer and busy helping those in the High Country. Carolina Cross Connection directs four different five-day youth camps every summer. Based out of Lincolnton, Carolina Cross Connection has been in operation for 19 years and has five camps in Western North Carolina that involve rising eighth graders to any age interested in volunteering. Along with assisting staffs, volunteers help “anyone of any age who needs help,” says Taylor Whitley, camp director and who has been involved with CCC for over five years. “We work closely with Social Services and people can refer themselves,” she adds. Each day, youth and adults are sent out in small work teams to perform home repairs for elderly, disabled, lonely and impoverished folks throughout western North Carolina, according to the organization’s website. Projects might include construction (porches, steps, wheelchair ramps, floor repair, roof repair, outhouses, etc.), painting, yardwork, underpinning a mobile home, house cleaning and other jobs. CCC has to raise their own money to get materials to help those in the area. “We support local businesses in the community,” says Whitley. “We get the community as involved as we can, whether it’s monetary donations or supplies.” She adds that Ashe Builder’s Supply and Parker Tie Company have been more than generous. “In years past,” Whitley explains, “people have been very generous, so we continue to ask for their help. The people and businesses here have been very supportive.” The three main objectives of CCC, according to their general information brochure, are: “To bring youth and adults together to form a Christian community for the purpose of serving God and better knowing [Him]; To spread the love of Christ in the larger community through service to people in need; and to provide opportunities for youth to practice leadership skills, witness to their faith, and grow in spiritual maturity.” Whitley says, “It’s a different type of camp. There are not many that involve youths and older campers together. It’s fun to see them work together and spread the love of Christ in a new way.” The organization, along with campers, is made up of a staff of college-age men and women who range from being programmers, lead programmers and directors. Training for CCC begins at the end of May and runs through August. Due to conflicting schedules during the year, only a few charity benefits and fundraising events are held, which help get the word out about CCC to churches, which results in getting people involved and ready for the next summer. “We love doing what we do,” says Whitley. “We love to love people. That’s our main goal. If we’re not loving the people, then we’re not loving what we do.” She adds that, “Helping people doesn’t have to stop when volunteers and staffers leave CCC. They can continue to help anyone in need when they go home.” CCC directs four different five-day youth camps every summer, involving youths and adults in churches from New Jersey to Georgia. During a typical week, the CCC brochure explains that, “youth and adults from all around the country come together to form a Christian community, centered on Jesus Christ. These volunteers form Camper Mission Groups, teams of five to seven campers that will go out each day of the week to work on projects scheduled and planned by the CCC staff. These projects will help make life more pleasant for someone in need.” Their week of volunteering is filled with helping different people in different area communities with work that may include “light home repair, painting, cleaning up yards, and always sharing love with the people,” says their brochure. Worship is held every night, along with different activities at camp, which include recreation, fellowship, singing, skits, and campfires. CCC can touch everyone who is involved personally, as it did Whitley. “It taught me to incorporate my faith into my life,” she says. “It has helped me to build a community with people, and also to help them and to love them.” One of the camp locations is at Camp Elk Shoals in West Jefferson. Elk Shoals is funded by the Methodist Church and directed by Rev. Peter Parish and his wife, Peggy. CCC is a non-denominational organization and accepts all types of faiths. To make a donation or to schedule volunteer CCC work, call 336-877-2058. For more information in CCC or in becoming a camper, call 704-735-4257 or visit their website at www.carolinacrossconnection.org.