Hi, I’m Cecelia Sclafani. I'm a sophomore at Maria Regina, and this summer I’m heading back to Harlan County, Kentucky for my second year with the Capuchin Appalachian Mission (CAM). CAM is run by the Capuchin Franciscan friars of the Province of St. Mary. This will be the 33rd trip they make to Appalachia. We'll be traveling with about 60 people - adults and teenagers. Our mission is to live out the Gospel by serving the community in five different ways. We have 5 different work groups that we go to each day - Manual labor, Vacation Bible School (VBS), Outreach, Senior ministry, and Kitchen

Harlan is one of the poorest regions in the U.S. (nearly 30% of people live below the poverty line). Last year, it changed my heart. 

This July, I’ll be doing manual labor—building ramps, fixing roofs, repairing homes for families who desperately need help. Other members of our team will run Vacation Bible School, visit seniors in nursing homes, or bring food and hygiene supplies to people who have almost nothing.

Here’s what you need to know:

• My personal registration cost is $300, but the real cost is $750. The rest comes from people like you.

• Your donation buys plywood for a ramp, food for a kid at VBS, or basic supplies for a family in need.

• If everyone gives just $1, we’ll hit our fundraising goal.

You can give online here. Any amount helps—and your prayers help even more.

With your help, I get to give by going. And you get to go by giving.

Thank you for being a Companion in Mission. 

— Cecelia