Ministry returns to area

Carolina Cross Connection, a youth and young adult outreach ministry, has returned to the region and will be looking for small construction and maintenance projects in Alleghany.

The Christian group has been coming to the area since 1991 and its volunteers have done a variety of projects. CCC stayed at Elk Shoals Methodist Camp from 1991 through 2007, after which time the camp moved to West Wilkes Middle School.

Cross Connection is made up of campers from all over the East Coast who travel to western North Carolina for mission work. Amy Bumgarner, camp director, said campers in the initial week hail from Reidsville, Winston-Salem, Trinity, Welcome, Canton and Rock Hill, S.C. However, over the summer, campers from Delaware, Georgia and Virginia are also expected to take part. Counties served by the local CCC camp include Alleghany, Ashe, Surry and Wilkes.

Campers travel to locations for jobs anticipated to take from one-half day to two days. Larger jobs are typically not taken. "We'll consider anyone who needs help," Bumgarner clarified, "but we can't do plumbing and electrical work or roofing due to the skill set of our campers."