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116 N. Front Ave. Ste 102, Prestonsburg, KY 41653 Phone: (606) 886-0152 Fax: (606) 886-0154 TTY 1-800-648-6056 TDD 1-800-648-6057 Email: linkshousing@yahoo.com |
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Low Income Housing Coalition of East Kentucky |
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STAMBAUGH ESTATES NEWS RELEASE WSAZ News |
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CONN. CHURCH MAKES ANNUAL TRIP TO BUILD KY. HOMES BY JACK LATTA The Floyd County Times |
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Summer vacation takes on a whole different meaning for members of The United Churches of Durham, Conn., who for the last six years have been making the nearly 800-mile trip to eastern Kentucky to help construct homes. The members spend all year raising money to make the weeklong summer trip, said group leader, the Rev. Dr. Elven Riggles Jr. Many participate yearly. The church had 35 people participate in the first year and 72 came this year, he said. People from his congregations from age 10 to 83 make the trip, he said. "We have a lot of families who give up a week to come down here," Riggles said. This year the group's projects included building two homes in Johnson County near Stambaugh, and replacing a metal roof and floor in residences in the Frasure's Creek community near McDowell. The experience of visiting the mountains every year has been good for their members, Riggles said. "There's something about taking the kids out of what they're used to," he said. "Part of the experience is getting out of your own backyard." The members of the group look forward to the event every year, Riggles said. "They want to work, they don't want to stop." Riggles said the buses alone, with rental fees and gas, come to about $2,000 apiece. This year they brought nine. Fundraising efforts include obtaining corporate and business sponsorship in their hometown, selling T-shirts and collecting cans and bottles. Church members began making the trips because the Low Income Housing Coalition of East Kentucky was working with missions. When the mission program ended, they decided to continue working with the coalition, Riggles said. The nonprofit coalition works to provide safe, decent and affordable housing to low-income people, according to the coalition's Web site. The program includes new construction, minor home repairs, making low-interest loans and homeownership counseling. The average income of families for whom new homes are built is roughly $12,600 a year, and there are currently more than 300 applicants waiting for a home, according to the coalition. But the church trip is not all work. While in Kentucky, the group takes Wednesday off to visit a local recreation area. They have visited Jenny Wiley State Resort Park and Natural Bridge. This year they visited Breaks Interstate Park. "I'm not sure if it helps out the local economy, but we hit Wal-Mart every night for Gatorade and water too," Riggles said. |
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STAMBAUGH ESTATES NEWS RELEASE BERTHA’S BLITZ WSAZ News |
