Mendham Teens Lend Helping Hand On Appalachia Mission Trip

MENDHAM, NJ — Foundation and roof repairs, window replacements, home demolition prep work, building decks and wheelchair ramps and excavating mud from a flooded basement, were some of the tasks that 54 teenagers and 20 chaperones teamed up to tackle at the end of June, during St. Joseph Catholic Church’s yearly Teen Appalachia Mission Trip to Paintsville, Kentucky.

During the 13th annual trip, the group collaborated with the Kentucky-based non-profit group, Good Neighbors, Inc., from Johnson County.

The mission trip in 2020 had been canceled because of the pandemic, with the teens fundraising for 2021's trip - including at a pasta dinner they held outdoors in May - for building materials and to defray travel costs.

The volunteers, who tend to swap stories and enjoy meals with the families they help out, described their experiences as “life-changing.”

"Going on the Appalachia mission trip this year was one of the best experiences of my life,” said Abby Kontely, a senior at West Morris Mendham High School.

“It was so impactful to see how grateful the people of Paintsville were in response to our help,” she continued. “It showed me how valuable helping another person is, no matter how small your actions are.”

“It was extremely fulfilling for me as well,” said parent volunteer John Doddy.

Doddy joined his son, Brian Doddy, a junior at Oratory Prep.

“In the news of late we constantly hear bad things and the ugliness both here in the states and abroad,” John Doddy added. “Being part of this mission trip allowed me to experience first hand, that there is still lots of love, kindness and goodness in the world.”

“It was nice helping those in need and seeing their reaction to a little bit of kindness,” said Brian Doddy.

“Helping one another is why we were all put on this earth,” John Doddy said.

RELATED: Pasta Served In Mendham For Good Cause

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at jennifer.miller@patch.com.