Leechburg churches combine forces for mission trip to North Carolina

Two Leechburg churches are finalizing plans before heading south on a mission of mercy.

Members of Cross Roads Community Presbyterian Church and First Evangelical Lutheran Church are teaming up to go on a mission trip this year to aid those affected by Hurricane Helene last year.

Rev. James Arter of First Evangelical Lutheran said the beginning of the year was dedicated to raising money for the trip and finding where parishioners were needed in North Carolina. He said they decided on Boone, N.C.

“Boone was one of the places hit very hard,” said Cross Roads member Gary Cockroft, of Leechburg.

Cockroft played an integral role in arranging the trip. He put out feelers to groups they’ve worked with before to see where to stay and which areas needed help.

Members of Cross Roads have completed about 13 mission trips in many states, among them Indiana, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee and Texas.

Arter said more than 20 congregation members will be leaving for the trip April 27 and returning May 3. They’ll be staying just north of Boone at Camp Luther Rock in Newland, N.C.

“(The work) is something that’s desperately needed,” Cockroft said. “Those folks have suffered a lot of things in the six months since the hurricanes have happened.”

The camp also took damage during the storm, and help is needed with cleaning, painting and rebuilding trails.

“Part of our work crews will be doing repair work to the camp while the rest help in the community,” Arter said.

Arter said they’re preparing themselves to see a lot of devastation six months after Hurricane Helene.

“Some people still don’t have power and don’t have their utilities on,” Arter said. “This is a long time to go without basic necessities.”

Cockroft said the group attending includes people who can work with drywall, HVAC systems, some electrical work, carpentry, tile, flooring, framing and roofing. In addition to these specialties, they’re expecting a lot of chainsaw work, clean up and landscaping, Cockroft said.

“We’re hoping to help people get their homes back,” he said.

Arter said there’s a lot of excitement.

Cockroft said while the group may not be able to fix everything, they’ll be able to make a dent in the problems they see.

“They always tell us we’re never going to finish a job,” Cockroft said. “Out of the 13 trips we’ve taken, there was only one time we were there when keys were turned over to a homeowner.”