October 20, 2009 by admin
Filed under Feature Stories
You can always tell when the fall season settles on the mountains of Appalachia. Most noticeable to the eye are the magnificent colors of the trees as they turn to brilliant shades of orange, yellow, and red. To complement the sight your nose may pick up the faint smell of a fireplace drifting out of one of the many hollers that connect one mountain with the other. With your senses engaged and perhaps your thoughts of times past, you may quickly believe you are in paradise. However, this paradise is not so pretty.
Below the beauty are hungry children, families living in inadequate houses, isolated elderly and undeserved disabled individuals living in the stark black and white of poverty. Let me tell you about Jessie.
CAP received a referral for an elderly man, who was living in a camper located in a rural section of one of the eastern Kentucky coal-field counties we serve. When we arrived to meet Jessie we found him to be an 80 year old gentleman who was living in an old, 12 ft. pull-behind camper, with no running water, no electric, no septic service and limited propane gas. He even had to cook his meals outside, sometime in miserable weather. Most amazing, Jessie has been living like this for 15 years.
On the outside of the camper he had a make shift table, a home-made fire pit for cooking, a small ice chest for his food that required refrigeration, a love seat that he had attempted to build a shelter over to protect from the weather (the make shift roof with rusted tin attached to a tree.) There was also a shelf that he had attached to the tree to put personal & food items in for storage.
On the inside of the camper he has a small bed and an old car seat to sit on. He washes his clothes and bathes in the creek and has a line in the yard to dry his clothes. He is truly doing the best he can. He said during the summer he stays outside as much as he can and loves eating his caned sausage gravy and eggs prepared over the pit. He was in smiles the day of the visit because he had just returned from the store with candles and would have some light that night; he had not had any candles for 2 weeks.
People of Appalachia are a very resilient people, and so is Jessie. But without CAP’s help, he will be left to struggle alone.
Dear Christian Appalachian Project:
I just received your mailing yesterday and I went on your website this afternoon. I want to help Jessie. What do you need and what can I do? I can also help in person if you need me.
God has blessed me.
Thank you,
Darlene
I’ll help, and I hope that Don Blankinship (A.T. Massey he could at least match – my donation) will too. It would be nice for CAP to get that support from some of the coal companies that have made Millions or Billions from Appalachia.
Keep up the good work!
Bill
Darlene,
Due to Jessie’s extreme need for adequate shelter, we need funds to help acquire temporary housing as quickly as possible. And we can always use more volunteers. Visit http://www.christianapp.org/vol for more info on applying.
God Bless,
CAP
Can I sent crocheted, washable, and warm, afghans and blankets to CAP? At what address? Or even to an individual home? I live in a warm weather state, so the need is less great. But I do like to crochet in my spare time and donate to Christian charities.
Thanks you, Arlene
Arlene,
Warm clothing, hats, scarves, blankets, etc. are much needed this time of year. Please send any items you wish to donate to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Dr.
Lexington, KY 40509
God bless!
I will be writing a check tonight–but my question is–wouldn’t it be safer for Jesse.and others. to use the touch-battery type lights instead of the candles? They are small and can be stuck up any where that a light would be needed.And the battery would last longer than a candle—and as already stated– much safer!! You all are in my prayers–just wish I could do more– much more. May the lord bless all of you that work so hard for the people of this area. Please keep up the good work. JAN
Wouldn’t it be safer to use the touch type,battery lights than candles? they are small- will stick up any where that is needed-will last much longer -and would be cheaper in the long run,and much safer ! God bless jan
That’s a great idea!
After many years in Ohio (where I retired from Ford Motor) my wife and I came home to eastern Kentucky. This Sunday we felt moved to search out an Appalachian cherity that we could help support, and hopefully make a difference in the lifes of those here who aren’t as fortunate as us. After reading Jessie’s story we knew we had found that organization in the Christian Appalachian Project. Good luck and God bless.
Hi there
i would still like to donate to Jessie. Is it too late?
I would actually like to send him some clothes and personal things. Is that possible? What address would i send it to? and how would i know it would get to him?
Thank you
Its never too late to help!
Please send any donations to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Dr.
Lexington, KY 40509
Be sure to write on the box or include a note referencing that the items are to be given to Jessie.
Thanks for making a difference!
Thank you for the response.
That sounds great. I will be sending a box very soon.
Also i was directed to your site from the abc site with the story about the children that Diane Swayer did. I was very moved by the young girl who wanted the Hannah Montana boots. Is it still possible to send her some Hannah Montana things?
Please tell me, how is Mr Jesse doing at this time? I am so happy that you all exist and I am thankful for the work that you’re doing. May God bless you and the Appalachian people.
Also could you please tell me if Mr Jesse or if anyone else needs specific items, such as cookware or sheets, etc. And would it be better to send the money with specifications concerning what it is for, or to send the gift itself with specifications about who it is for?
Hi Jacqueline,
What a great question! Jessie is doing fine in his new place. We visit him frequently and provide him with transportation when needed. Because of the donations raised, he is now living in much better conditions. He is staying in a great 5th wheel camper with a bathroom, kitchen, bedroom and living room.
If you are interested in helping him further, he could use some warm bed linens! You are more than welcome to send either the actual item or a monetary donation to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Drive
Lexington, KY 40509
If you want the item or donation to specifically go to Jessie, make sure to note that on the donation.
Thanks and God Bless!
Sometimes we are so busy looking at all of the problems of the world we don’t see the ones in our back yard. Thank you for showing them to us. We need to see more of what is needed here. I pray for you and Jesse. My check is in the mail. I have the ability to send household items if needed and clothes. Where should I send them to.
Mildred,
Thank you so much for your support! Any donation you have can be sent to:
Christian Appalachian Project
2610 Palumbo Drive
Lexington, KY 40509
Many Blessings,
CAP