As a record-breaking heat wave ripped across the East Coast, not even the 100-degree highs could stifle the enthusiasm of hundreds of teen WorkCampers.
More than 1,300 teens, adult volunteers, contractors, parish priests and WorkCamp staff congregated in the Shenandoah Valley June 21-27 to work on projects that will make residents’ homes “warmer, safer and drier,” according to Kevin Bohli, executive director of the diocesan Office of Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministries, which runs the annual week of service.
WorkCampers started their morning June 25 — as always — with daily Mass. The midweek Mass was celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and concelebrated by 10 priests. In his homily, Bishop Burbidge acknowledged the challenges the teens encounter from secular culture. “You, my young friends, say that you just want to be free, free from distress and anxiety, and want to know peace and joy in your life,” he said. “The reason (that) so many of us get filled with distress and anxiety and lack that joy, is because we act as if, ‘Everything depends on me. It’s all up to me.’ ”
“That’s why St. Paul says today, ‘Rejoice in hope,’ ” Bishop Burbidge continued. “Because for us, hope is not just a feeling, it’s not just optimism or wishful thinking. Our hope is in a person, Jesus Christ, the hope that does not disappoint you.”
Following Mass, Bohli gave a safety address to the WorkCampers, instructing them to hydrate and rest when needed to beat the heat. “A cool 92 degrees is the forecast today,” he joked.
The 140 crews then departed to their worksites, 105 homes scattered throughout the valley. Projects varied from replacing windows and doors to sealing roofs to constructing ADA-compliant wheelchair ramps and decks.
Two crews worked on constructing a wheelchair ramp and deck for Middletown resident Jerry Bowers, who had limited mobility and was awaiting surgery on his foot. Contractor Frank Jozsa, who constructed Bishop Ireton High School’s new chapel in Alexandria, helped WorkCamper Gemma Solomon operate a table saw to refine the planks that would become Bowers’ new deck.
“Helping people out, building, repairing their homes, I know that makes a huge impact on their lives,” said WorkCamper Mark Mendonsa, a parishioner of St. Luke Church in McLean. “It’s just an amazing community.”
A half hour away in Maurertown, two crews poured concrete into holes to solidify posts that would become a deck and wheelchair ramp for Julian, an 11-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. His father, Napoleon Garcia, said that once the ramp is constructed, Julian will be able to use an electric wheelchair that the family has had in storage for the last few years but has been unable to move outside the home. “He’s going to be ready to roll out,” Garcia said. “We appreciate everything they are doing.”
The crew leaders said the two crews bonded quickly at the beginning of the week. WorkCamper Luke Chaves even made cord rosary bracelets for all 10 WorkCampers, which the teens wore throughout the week.
As the boys poured concrete and the girls drilled holes in the deck banisters, they were greeted with a surprise visit from Bishop Burbidge. “I’m so proud that you would use your summers … to help those in need,” he said. The teens showed Bishop Burbidge their rosary bracelets, which he blessed. “We always do better under Mary’s protection,” he added.
Cecilia Perez and Garcia then brought out Julian’s sister, Camilla, and Julian in a portable wheelchair to meet Bishop Burbidge. “Tell me the truth, are they working hard?” Bishop Burbidge joked with Julian. “Yep!” he responded.
Meanwhile, teens Amelia Adams, Anne Hwang, Adelaide McFadden, James Knight and Jonathan Ham were tasked with repairing the stairs and sidewalk of Maria Garcia’s historic home in Mount Jackson.
For Maria, who first became connected with WorkCamp through her local school and parish priest, the help was a blessing. “It makes me feel good. They’re learning. It’s important at a young age that they’re helping (the community) and working hard giving their time,” she said.
The teens spent the afternoon pouring and smoothing concrete for Maria’s renovated sidewalk in the heat. The experience has helped them learn about themselves and their community.
Amelia Adams, a parishioner of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, has been coming to WorkCamp for the past three years. “I keep coming back because of the community it creates. I just think everybody is here for the same goal, to better their community and better themselves, and I just think having so many teens your age come together and do that, there’s just no other experience that has that same effect,” she said.
St. John the Evangelist parishioner James Knight said that the experience was unexpected. “Both years (that) I’ve come, I didn’t ask my mom to sign me up, she kind of just did it … Being here, you’re having fun and helping people. It’s a great experience,” he said.
First-year camper, Anne Hwang, was warned about the heat by other teens at her parish, St. Paul Chung Church in Fairfax, and came anyway. She did not regret her decision. “It’s a good opportunity to get to know other people — and yourself.”
Adelaide McFadden agreed. “A bunch of my mom’s siblings had done it and they had a really great time. She wanted me to have that experience,” she said.
The week of service has even attracted out-of-state volunteers. Beginning last year, Deacon Timothy Donohue and his wife, Kathy, drove from their home state of Massachusetts to volunteer at WorkCamp Homebase, located at a school in the designated region that hosts the WorkCampers and adult volunteers overnight. Their granddaughter Karen Donohue, a parishioner of St. John Neumann Church in Reston, asked them if they would volunteer at WorkCamp.
“How do you refuse a granddaughter who wants you to go to WorkCamp and serve the poor for a week?” Kathy asked with a laugh. She said once the crews arrive back at Homebase for the evening, Karen takes a shower and heads to the Projects Office, where she spends time helping her grandparents with Homebase tasks. “They’re all very faith-filled people just willing to help others. It’s a great environment,” Kathy said.
WorkCampers said that the week has not only helped them to better appreciate community service but also strengthened their spiritual lives. “Last night during adoration, I definitely felt something. I was sobbing,” said Lucy Fraser, a parishioner of St. Matthew in Spotsylvania.
Ben Metrocavage, a parishioner of Nativity Catholic Church in Burke, added that the week has brought about more camaraderie with Catholic peers. “I think just having a bunch of teens together, just all praising God and worshipping together, I think it helps us all strengthen our faith and get closer to God,” he said.
