Service stirs sense of gratitude
By RENEE WEBB
Globe associate editor
Posted August 1, 2002

FORT DODGE - Students and adults who took part in a Kentucky service trip realized a sense of gratitude for the gifts in their own lives and discovered how wonderful it feels to help others.

Nine students and four adults went on the trip to Smith, Ky. that was sponsored by Youth Kicks, the Catholic youth group based in Fort Dodge. This is the sixth year the youth group has organized a trip and prior to that, St. Edmond High School had sponsored a few trips to the same region led by Father Randy Schon.

"Are whole purpose is to be Jesus to other people. I would like for it to become a way of life to them," said Jane Hogan, leader of the youth group with Father Michael Erpelding. This was her sixth trip.

They took the trip July 6 to 13. The first two days they cleaned and organized a storage shed that housed donated goods. Other days they scraped and painted people's homes.

"Everybody spends most of their life in a comfort zone just living in Fort Dodge. Not everyone gets a chance to experience something like going to Kentucky and seeing the type of life they live," noted Kory Kutz, a member of Youth Kicks. "It was a chance to reach out and try to help someone."

For Ashley Utley, this was her third trip. She has kept going back because helping others made her feel good.

"Even when we do the smallest things for them, they thought it was the biggest thing in the world," she said. "It made me feel good about myself, knowing that I had made their day."

One day was used as a visiting day. Several in the group had made the trip in the past and wanted to renew old acquaintances.

Traci Schnepf, marketing director of Fort Dodge Catholic Schools, pointed out that they brought food to one woman "Grannie" and her sons who lived in the mountains. They also visited a family with three girls whom the seniors on the trip had met in previous trips.

"Once we arrived at the house, this little girl with red ringlets came running because she knew it was us. She gave everyone a hug." Schnepf added, "The impact we had just in our presence was so rewarding."

Those who had participated in the service trip in previous years could see marked improvement in the living conditions of the home where the girls lived. In past years the group had helped them clean up the home.

Most of the people they served had little for material possessions. Some of the homes did not even have running water.

"It kind of ached our hearts because we have so much here," said Schnepf. "It reminds us of how lucky we are and with that, we want to help others."

Utley said she too was grateful for all she has. It has made her realize that she doesn't always need everything she thinks she does.

While the people had little, many of them had a lot of faith.

"We could see what wonderful faith they had even though they had nothing," said Hogan.

The other seven high school students who made the trip were Luke Ostrander, Alma Boro, Ashley Black, Megan Murphy, Becky Ronconi, Cara O'Connor and Michelle Thilges. Father Mike Erpelding and Bill Crawford served as chaperones with Hogan and Schnepf.

Hogan pointed out that what is particularly meaningful is seeing the growth and development in the high school students - on both a spiritual and personal level. She hopes that they value the service experience so it becomes a way of life throughout their entire faith journey.

"I think the trip opened their eyes to the fact that you don't judge a book by its cover. By meeting these people, talking to them and getting to know them, you can see the goodness in their hearts. That is what is important, not what they have or if they look good," she said.

Utley would encourage others to take part in service projects because it can offer such an awesome experience. She pointed out that all of the graduating seniors who made this trip are hoping to go back to Kentucky this winter.

"Everyday had it's special moments from working along with each other in the group to working with the people who lived down there - trying to get your goal accomplished," said Kutz.