Hi again! Happy first week of volunteers!! This week we traveled to Jonesville, VA, and Johnson County, TN. And it was truly amazing. Driving through the mountains with the windows down, and music playing, taking in all the beautiful views has been one of the highlights of my week.
This week was very nostalgic for me, seeing the excitement from volunteers, hard work from staff, and hearing the heartfelt messages from homeowners brought me back to the summers I have volunteered. I have volunteered with ASP since 2019, and it has changed my life. I still can’t believe I get to spend all summer with ASP. It is such a blessing. I have enjoyed being on staff in a way that fulfills my passions for photography and ASP. Being around people who truly care for one another, have a servant heart, and love Jesus has brought me so much joy. And being able to capture the relationships, memories, and hard work makes it even better.
This week, I have met over 100 volunteers between the two centers. From those who have been volunteering since they were teenagers to those who are volunteering for the first time, and everyone in between. I have loved meeting them all and getting to know them and their ASP story more.
One moment stuck out to me the most in Jonesville. Kate, Matt, and Carly have volunteered with ASP together since they were teenagers. Kate’s Dad was their crew leader, and their church was very involved. As we sat in Chester Hall together, it was heartwarming to watch them reminisce about all the fun memories they made together on ASP as teenagers. Kate had brought some of her relatives on the trip this year, Matt brought his wife and son, and Carly brought her husband and son. They have shared their love for ASP with their family, which is truly special and something I have also done with my family.
One of my favorite memories with my dad and sister on ASP is giving our homeowners rocking chairs. My church has created this tradition of giving homeowners rocking chairs to enjoy, and our crews sign the back of them. In 2022, our project was to repair a deck for a sweet woman named Ms. Ina. She hadn’t been on her deck in years because of how unsafe it was. At the end of the week, when her deck was finished, we surprised her and her daughter with rocking chairs. Tears filled her eyes when she saw the rocking chairs on her brand-new deck. She was so grateful and surprised by this gift. I left feeling so blessed to know Ms. Ina and that she will be able to enjoy her new deck in her rocking chair for years to come.
I have seen so many families together on ASP between the two centers this week and will see even more this summer. It makes my heart happy to know that ASP is such a vital part of their family dynamic and summer. The memories made on ASP will last a lifetime. Seeing these families together reminds me of my family going and being involved with ASP. I feel so lucky I have been able to experience ASP with my Dad and sister. It is so special. See you Week 3, Dad, Megan, and Owen. 😊
It was so cool for me to hear about Kate and Matt’s experiences as teens because my dad has been my crew leader for the past five trips, and many youth from my church volunteer on ASP trips too. So, I saw myself in their stories. I, too, have such fun memories with my friends, Dad, and sister over the years. I hope to be like Kate and Matt and continue to grow ASP into my family even more than it already is. ASP is such a large part of my life and I love sharing it with those I love.
So spread your wings and volunteer with your family, whether it’s with ASP or somewhere else. It will change your life in indescribable ways, and you will make lifelong memories.
Until next week!
Haley Holcomb
Story Gathering Intern
