Day 3 - Cawood Elementary and CAA

Today we woke up at 6:30 am, which was a drastic change from 10 o’clock the day before. After breakfast and packing lunches, we headed off to do service; three of us went with Harlan County Community Action Agency, and the rest of us went to Cawood Elementary School. With the CAA, we evaluated houses to be worked on. We drove around with James to the different houses while learning about different aspects of Harlan County. James informed us that there are only 12 functional coal mines left in Harlan County, even though there used to be close to 30. At each mine, only 11 employees are needed to run the operation. James was welcoming and kind, and entertained us with his stories.

At the school, which held students from grades K-4 through 8^th, we helped however we could, which included organizing the supplies, PE equipment, and clothes as well as handing out hygiene packs, which held items like soap and toothpaste. Two sixth graders, Steven and Jared, helped us by pushing the packs around on a cart and introducing us to their teachers. The clothes closet was PACKED with donations, so many that Cathy, the Youth Services Coordinator, could not make good use of all of them. By organizing and keeping the essentials, we re-donated the remaining clothes to others that could fully utilize them. 

Later, we watched kindergarteners play basketball. We kept score, which was fun, as we got to alter the scores towards the end to make sure it was a fair game. Watching the kindergarteners play was more interesting than watching a Terrapin game!

Finally, we came home and made foil packets of potatoes, carrots, and green peppers. We held reflection around the campfire and finished the evening with s’mores. All together, it was a great day!

~Elliott and Chloe