Actually 'Appalachia Project' has become a misnomer as you will see. It all started in 1999. I was with Jim Griffith when we took a load of clothes to the Lutheran Mission Society in Havre de Grace, MD. The person in charge was practically in tears because, although she liked what we had to give, she had no place to put it. Jim looked at me and said "there are people in Appalachia that would love to have these things". So we went on a computer and found a number of locations. At first we went once a month, then found only three that were really in need because the others received from other sources. We narrowed it down to Nora, Virginia, which is on the border of Kentucky and West Virginia. They weren't receiving much from anyone else and had been cut off from the Federal Food Program. We try to go there four times a year.

But that has become just part of the project. We pick up about 70 to 100 bags of clothes and boxes of toys and household items from various locations: Tabatha House every Wednesday, Bows and Britches every Thursday, Country Britches bi-weekly, BAUMC and Advent Lutheran Church every week. During the week we get calls from individuals donating various items, mostly clothes.

From the bags and boxes we accumulate each week, we take 150 bags of clothes, boxes of shoes and toys to the Church of the Nazarene in Pylesville, MD, where they have a large warehouse. A number of volunteers roll the clothes and pack the boxes that are stacked in preparation for shipping. They are always looking for volunteers for this job. About once a month they ship 1200 boxes in a shipping container to various third world locations, such as the Ukraine, several places in Africa, The Republic of Georgia, and South America. There are about 22 locations where the items are sent.

Also, we take a load of clothes, toys and household items to Agape House about 6 or 7 times a year and a load of clothes to the Water Street Rescue Station in Lancaster, PA, about six times a year. They not only distribute the items to local people, but also ship some to third world countries. On occasion, we also take items to the Lutheran Mission Society.

Jim Griffith

Jim owns the horse trailer and truck that does much of the local hauling and the warehouse where we store the items until they are distributed, and he pays for the gas and tolls. Jim is a member of Advent Lutheran Church.

Wilson Gorrell

Wilson has the truck and trailer that goes to Appalachia and he does all the driving. Wilson is a member of BAUMC.

John Renshaw

John is a regular on Wednesdays pickup and delivery to the Church of the Nazarene, and he is always available at other times when needed. He also picks up on Sundays and other times for BAUMC. John is a member of BAUMC.

Dave Candey

Dave helps for the trips to Appalachia and goes on the trips to Agape. He is also available on other occasions when needed. Dave is a member of BAUMC

Paul Peterson

Paul picks up every Thursday from Bows & Britches and takes the items to the warehouse. he helps load for trips to Appalachia and Agape, and he also helps with the Senior bags. Paul is a member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church.

Jim Liescheidt

Jim helps on Wednesdays, goes to Agape House, Lancaster, Church of the Nazarene. He helps load foe Appalachia and Agape and is available on many other occasions. Jim is a member of Advent Lutheran Church.

Harry Fitzhugh

Harry does a lot of things. He is a member of Advent Lutheran Church.

• Bob Bensoor
• Carroll Pfaff
• Andy Eiler
• Paul Miller