Weekend at the Cross volunteers make a difference in Alexandria

Doing small things can make a big difference in the community.

That’s what 135 youth and 30 counselors from the United Methodist Church learned during the four-day Weekend of the Cross, when they built ramps and porches for low-income people at 10 homes in Alexandria, Pineville and Boyce.

“It’s about doing little things and making a difference in your own hometown,” said Nathaniel Dela-Pena, 21, of Alexandria, about why he volunteered. “And I’ve been far away. I went to LSU and I just graduated.”

He enjoyed seeing people from all parts of the state come together here in Central Louisiana to try to make a difference in someone’s life.

“Mostly it’s handicap ramps for people who can’t afford to have wheelchair access to their home. That’s what they build,” said Stephen Blount of the First United Methodist Church in Alexandria.

“That they’re building here,” he said of a house on Harris Street where volunteers were working Friday morning. “They’re going to go through this door to this slab and down a long ramp and make it wheelchair accessible. And that way, when this person pulls up and parks, they can go right into their house from a wheelchair.”

The rotten railings that pose a safety hazard are also being rebuilt, he added.

Blount and Mark Atwood visited 80 homes in the area. Due to time constraints and material costs, they could only choose 10, he said.

“We tried to pick the most urgent ones out of them,” he explained. “Those who are in the worst financial situation and really need access and can’t afford it.”

According to Blount, there is still a need for people who want to help the other 70 people who need it.

Applications for assistance were submitted just before Easter and preparations for the Alexandria event began last fall, according to a press release from First United Methodist Church Alexandria.

Those not selected will be referred to other churches and local organizations, the release continues. And First UMC of Alexandria will provide assistance with a number of other projects later.

For some young people, missionary work is a completely new experience, while a few of them are veterans.

“For example, I just taught three of them how to operate the saw they’re operating now,” he said. He taught them safety, techniques and how to wear safety glasses. They’re learning as they work, he added.

“These kids are in high school,” Blount said. “There are a few from the Alexandria area, but a lot of them are from Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge and Hammond.”

This was the first time Phoebe Lytle, 13, attended.

She has friends who have volunteered in previous years.

“They said it was really fun,” she said. They asked her to come this year and she’s really enjoying volunteering.

“I enjoyed coming last year,” said Addie Brauer, 17. “My friend invited me to come watch and I really enjoyed the experience.”

She wanted to do it again this year because the event was held in Alexandria.

Dela-Pena, Lytle and Brauer said they learned about logistics and the importance of structure in a project like this.

The delivery of the materials was a bit slower, but it did teach them to have a positive attitude.

“We’ll have it ready by lunch,” Addie said. “I know we will.”

The goal was to have everything completed by Friday, Blount said, but some projects could stretch into the weekend.

Weekend of the Cross was founded by Justin Proctor at the First United Methodist Church in Hammond.

A press release states that “the event is organized by the Weekend of the Cross – Northshore leadership team in partnership with this year’s host, First United Methodist Church of Alexandria. Additional support is provided by First UMC of Pineville, Horseshore Drive UMC, and Newman UMC.”