June 14, 2010
For Immediate Release
KHO interns and staff work on a roof during training week with Kentucky Heartland Outreach. From left are: Kati Hamilton, a CU student, Springfield, Ky.; Timmy Coghill, KHO staff, a CU alumnus, Campbellsville, Ky.; Cody Critcher, Boone, N.C.; Collin Johnson, Shelbyville, Ky., a CU student; Jason Shirrell, KHO staff, a CU alumnus, of Campbellsville, Ky.; and Chris Clubs, Lynn Haven, Fla. (KHO Photo by André Tomaz)
By André Tomaz, KHO summer intern
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – This summer, over 900 volunteers will fulfill God’s commandment to aid the less fortunate through Kentucky Heartland Outreach (KHO) Summer Camps.
“This is our 11th season doing summer camps and every year we see God’s hand and blessing over us,” said Todd Parish, executive director of KHO.
“In 2000, through the vision and leadership of Dr. Michael Carter and Campbellsville University, we started with one tool box and a few volunteers. Now we have hundreds of volunteers and a number of trailers. We are excited to have the largest number of volunteers in our history coming this summer.”
The volunteers, led by interns hired by KHO, will build wheelchair ramps, decks and new roofs all summer long. Materials used for these projects are funded by Kentucky Housing Corporation.
“We are proud to have 11 interns working with us this summer, six of which have been or are currently enrolled at Campbellsville University,” said Chuck Cassada, chief of operations for KHO.
Interns associated with CU include: Warren Akers, a 2009 graduate, of Campbellsville, Ky.; André Tomaz, a 2010 graduate, from Brazil; Collin Johnson, a Junior from Shelbyville, Ky.; Rebecca Oliver, a sophomore from Scottsville, Ky.; Kristina Critcher, a sophomore transfer, of Boone, N.C.; and Kati Hamilton of Springfield, Ky., who attended in 2009.
Other interns include: Chris Clubbs of Lynn Haven, Fla.; Cody Critcher of Boone, N.C.; Ryan Wolfe of Mt. Carmel, Tenn.; Ryan Hollingsworth of Zionville, N.C.; and Erika Stiller of Seymour, Tenn.
KHO’s mission is to provide safe and warm homes for those who cannot afford it. The program exists to meet not only physical needs but also spiritual needs of the clients. Not only does KHO perform home repairs for these homeowners, but they also host a weekly banquet for them, where they are served dinner and get to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ first-hand, according to Parish. The camps and banquets are ways in which KHO spreads the love of God.
The camp will last six weeks throughout June and July. During the month of June, KHO will be operating out of Bowling Green, Ky.
Greenwood Baptist Church has opened its doors to host the volunteers while stationed in Bowling Green.
“Greenwood Baptist Church is excited to have KHO in our church because of the effect it will have in our community and how much it will impact the students and our church,” said John Chidester, youth pastor at Greenwood Baptist Church. “We are definitely ready for them to get here and to get involved with [the community].”
“It’s great to be working with John and Greenwood Baptist Church,” Parish said. “He is a Campbellsville University graduate and has worked with us in the past. We are excited for this new partnership.”
Glasgow Baptist Church in Glasgow, Ky., has also agreed to host the weekly Homeowner’s Banquet for homeowners that live in Barren County, during the first week of camp.
For July, the camp will be based at Campbellsville University.
CU student, Collin Johnson of Shelbyville, Ky., removes old shingles from the roof during training week for KHO summer camp. (KHO Photo by André Tomaz)
“Campbellsville University has been gracious to let us use their campus another year,” Parish said. “We have enjoyed our partnership with them and are grateful for all their support. We would also like to thank Monte Veatch and Pioneer College Caterers for providing our meals and for hosting our Homeowner’s Banquets.”
KHO will be working in the following counties during the course of the year: Warren, Barren, Allen, Green, Marion, Adair and Taylor.
The dates are as follows: Week 1 – Barren County (June 13-19); Week 2 – Warren County (June 20-26); Week 3 – Warren County (June 27-July 3); Week 4 – Taylor County (July 11-17); Week 5 – Green County (July 18-24) and Week 6 — Marion County (July 25-31).
Kentucky Heartland Outreach remains an affiliate ministry of Campbellsville University and receives ongoing support from CU.
Campbellsville University is a private, comprehensive institution located in South Central Kentucky. Founded in 1906, Campbellsville University is affiliated with the Kentucky Baptist Convention and has an enrollment of 3,006 students who represent 97 Kentucky counties, 30 states and 37 foreign nations. Listed in U.S.News & World Report’s 2010 “America’s Best Colleges,” CU is ranked 23rd in “Best Baccalaureate Colleges” in the South, tied for fifth in “most international students” and fourth in “up-and-coming” schools in baccalaureate colleges in the South. CU has been ranked 17 consecutive years with U.S.News & World Report. The university has also been named to America’s Best Christian Colleges® and to G.I. Jobs magazine as a Military Friendly School. Campbellsville University is located 82 miles southwest of Lexington, Ky., and 80 miles southeast of Louisville, Ky. Dr. Michael V. Carter is in his 11th year as president.