Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools September 2014 | Page 10

Parkwood High is host site for Reach Workcamp
Hargett, a licensed contractor, reached out
Thanks to about 935 middle and high school
to agencies like Habitat for Humanities, Crisis
students from across the United States, about 85
Assistance Ministries and Council on Aging, and
Union County homeowners witnessed home repairs
several Union County churches of all denominations
in times when their own pocketbooks couldn’t
to find local citizens in need of help.
afford them.
“We served homes from Marshville to Marvin - The goal of the program, called Reach
Indian Trail, Waxhaw and Mineral Springs,” Hargett
Workcamps, is to assist those in the community
said.
who are disadvantaged, especially the elderly, with
Of the 100 applications that were taken, 85
minor home repairs. The main focus and purpose
homes were offered assistance. Over the two
of the workcamps, however, are to minister to the
weeks, the Reach organization spent about
youth who participate.
$60,000 on materials for the Union County jobs.
About 45 of the students were from UCPS.
Each camper pays about $400 to participate in the
Students attended the camp from Parkwood,
workcamps, money that is used to cover the costs
Cuthbertson, Weddington and Sun Valley high
involved with the projects.
schools.
The workcamps are held at high school
This year’s camp, which began the second week
campuses across the US each year during the
of July, was housed at Parkwood High School. There
summer months when schools are out for summer
were two one-week camps offered, involving about
break and students are on vacation.
400 to 500 students each week.
During these experiences, Savannah not only
Campers woke each morning at 6:30 a.m., ate
learns new skills, she also gets to meet some very
breakfast, had morning devotion and then went to
interesting area residents.
the work sites at 8:30 a.m. to perform repairs until
“I learn something new every year,” she said.
about 3 p.m.
“And I enjoy hearing about their experiences in life,
Parkwood’s gym was set up as a worship
and what they’ve been through.”
center for students, with a spiritual program in the
This is the third year that the Reach Workcamps
morning and one in the evening. These faith-based
organization has come to Union County. The first
programs are non denominational.
was the summer of 2005. The second in 2008. Each
“I like that we have devotion throughout the
time, the workcamp has been set up at Parkwood
day because I’m there to work, but I’m also there
High School.
to grow my faith,” said Parkwood student Savannah
Hargett said UCPS and Parkwood High School
Hargett, 17, who has participated in Reach
Parkwood student Savannah
are to be commended for allowing the work camps
Workcamps since she was in the sixth grade. “I
Hargett, 17, has participated in
to be housed at the school. “The school system and
think it’s awesome.”
Reach Workcamps since she was
Homeowners who are chosen for assistance are
in the sixth grade. She is pictured the school are the real heroes,” he said. “Without
that school, a place to house the students, we
referred to as “neighbors.” Homes belong to the
doing roof repair on a Union
couldn’t do it. We have to have a home base,
elderly, those with disabilities or financial needs.
County home.
somewhere they can get showers and meals.”
The program includes basic weatherization,
In existence since 1992, Reach Workcamps is a weeklong mission
painting and repair and construction of porches, handrails, gutters,
of service to low-income communities.
steps, wheelchair ramps, roofs and dry walls.
Students sleep at the school on top of sleeping bags or air
Siler Presbyterian in Wesley Chapel sponsored the workcamps and
mattresses, what ever the individual brings. “In one week, we had
identified the homes in need. “We take on the tough projects,” said
almost 500 people sleeping on the floors in classrooms at Parkwood,”
Savannah’s father, Ricky Hargett, the local coordinator for the Reach
Hargett said.
Workcamps.
-- This article was written by Deb Coates Bledsoe, Union County
“We try to make the homes warmer and more attractive,” Hargett
Public Schools Communications Coordinator and provided courtesy
said. “We’ve roofed about 10 homes in Union County.”
of the UCPS Communications Office.

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8 • Sept/Oct 2014 • Parent Teacher Magazine 

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