C O M PA S S I O N
Strength meets Service BY BRANDY CALVERT, Ed.D.
P
eggy Harrison, coordinator for Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Elderly Services Program in Jackson County, Kentucky had a serious problem. She saw a need for additional volunteers to help distribute supplemental commodity food boxes to a growing number of seniors (192 in all) in need each month. “We needed volunteers,” she explained. “Our numbers kept going up and I just saw that we needed help.” Harrison knows the blessings and challenges that come with the distribution of so many heavy boxes. She reached out to a friend of CAP, Lieutenant Colonel (R) Stephen Whitaker, a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) instructor at Jackson County High School, hoping that he could help. 20
The Mountain Spirit Spring/Summer 2020
“I have a long history with CAP,” Colonel Whitaker proudly explained. “I know some of these families are really suffering and CAP has made a huge impact.” The long-time educator recognized the positive, ongoing impact of CAP on his community and did not hesitate to partner in the distribution of commodity boxes to elderly residents. “Our primary mission is to motivate young people to be better citizens. Community service is a great way for us to do this,” he explained. To provide the needed support, Colonel Whitaker committed to engaging ROTC cadets in commodities distribution each month. A joyful partnership was born. The strength of young ROTC cadets and their eagerness to serve has been a blessing to the distribution program, which works
