Meet Our Volunteers
Christian Appalachian Project is blessed to have 50-60 long-term volunteers who have made a commitment of 9 months or longer to serve in eastern Kentucky. Motivated by a faith that demands action, these volunteers come from all walks of life, but are united by a desire to be the hands and feet of Christ in Appalachia. Many of these volunteers are available to speak to potential long-term volunteers. If you would like to talk to a current volunteer about long-term service at CAP, email us at volunteer@chrisapp.org.
Shannon Alford
Shannon is a graduate of Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky. She serves in CAP’s Substance Abuse Recovery program, and she began volunteering in January 2009. She is volunteering because she “was impressed with the people and the mission. They [CAP] genuinely care about the people they are helping.”
Sharyn Bowes
Sharyn came to CAP in May 2008 from Portland, Oregon. She serves in CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry program and is volunteering because “God directed me here.”
Judy Shue
Judy, 63, came to CAP from Elizabeth, Colorado. Recently retired from the school system, Judy now serves in CAP’s Elderly Services program and lives in Jackson Volunteer House. Judy is volunteering because she “wanted a meaningful experience to begin retirement.”
Janet Fiedler
Janet, 57, is no stranger to CAP—in September 2009 she returned to CAP from California to begin her third term with CAP in the past 9 years. She prefers CAP to other volunteer programs because of the “commitment to daily devotions.” Janet is once again serving in Elderly Services and living in Jackson Volunteer House. When asked why she is volunteering, Janet says she “can’t seem to let it go.”
Jennifer Brown
Jennifer, 20, moved from her home in Greenfield, Ohio, to join CAP in August 2009. Jennifer serves in Child and Family Development and lives in Johnson Volunteer House. She is volunteering because “children need stable, compassionate people.”
Jane Marotz
Jane, 49, came to CAP in September 2009 from Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. Before committing to volunteer life, Jane worked full-time as an office manager. She now serves as a caseworker in Family Advocacy and lives in Jackson Volunteer House. Jane says she is volunteering because “I need to be a part of something where I can see God at work.”
Chris Barnett
Chris, 21, is originally from Burlington, Kentucky, and now calls Jackson Volunteer House home. Chris serves in Educational and Recreational Programming, where he serves at a teen center run by one of CAP’s partner organizations. This recent Northern Kentucky University graduate says he hopes to gain a greater sense of himself while volunteering and grow in his faith.
Leslie McCranie
Leslie, 52, came to CAP from Orlando, Florida, in March 2008. Leslie repairs homes for elderly participants and lives independently of a volunteer house. She is volunteering because “God has truly blessed me and I want to give back all that I can.”
Jordan Pierce
Jordan is a 2008 graduate of Washburn University and joined CAP in September 2008. Jordan volunteers in Elderly Services and Housing and lives in Jackson Volunteer House. She is volunteering because she wants to “do something meaningful” and “grow and learn as a Christian.”
Liz Pecoraro
Liz serves in the Volunteer Program office. She came to CAP from Illinois in September 2008 to join her husband, who is a CAP employee. The couple lives independently of a volunteer house.
Sharon Evans
Sharon lives independently and serves in CAP’s Substance Abuse Recovery Center. Sharon came to CAP from Austin, Texas, in August 2008 because “it seemed right.”
Chase Adlard
Chase, 24, came to CAP in June 2009 after graduating from the University of Dayton. Chase serves in the Elderly Housing program, where he serves on projects specifically for CAP’s elderly participants. Chase is hoping to learn “more about helping others and God” through his time at CAP. Chase lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
Mark Anderson
Mark first volunteered for CAP in the summer of 2008 as a counselor at Camp Shawnee. After graduating from the University of Dayton, Mark decided to make a long-term commitment to CAP’s Housing program. Mark lives in Floyd Volunteer House and is volunteering with CAP “because of the Christian base, the experiences I have had, and the people of CAP I have interacted with.”
Megan Berling
Megan, 22, is originally from Covington, Kentucky, but came to CAP after graduating from Loyola University in Chicago. Megan lives in Jackson Volunteer House and chose CAP because she was looking for an “interdenominational organization that had a housing repair program.”
Chrissy Kratzer
Chrissy, 34, started out as a short-term volunteer before deciding to make a long-term commitment. She was working as a Human Resources manager before joining CAP in March 2009. She serves in Elderly Services and lives in Floyd Volunteer House.
Katie Bostiga
Katie completed her masters in physical therapy at the University of Connecticut before joining CAP in August 2008. She serves in Child and Family Development and lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
Ellen Sulzbacher
Ellen, 26, comes to CAP from Jacksonville, Florida. She serves in Elderly Services and lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
Ginger Dunn
Ginger is from Newport Beach, California, and serves in Human Service Missions. She came to CAP in September 2008 and lives independently of a volunteer house. She is volunteering because she “felt compelled to help the less fortunate and am at a time of my life when I can do it.”
Andrew Rath
Andrew, 22, is a New Jersey native who was finishing college at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota before joining CAP in August 2009. Andrew serves in the Housing program and lives in Johnson Volunteer House. He is volunteering with CAP because he “wanted an opportunity to volunteer in a rural area.”
Jennifer Zupicich
Jennifer, 22, is a recent graduate of Stonehill College in her home state of Massachusetts. Jennifer serves in Child and Family Development and lives in Johnson Volunteer House. She is volunteering because she wants to “make a difference and help others.”
Kate Stefanowicz
Kate, 21, is a 2009 graduate of the University of Connecticut. She first came to CAP through WorkFest, CAP’s alternative spring break program, then joined CAP in August 2009 to serve in the Housing program. Kate lives in Floyd Volunteer House and says she is volunteering because “I wanted time to figure out what I wanted to do after college and really find myself.”
Rachel DeKold
Rachel, 22, is originally from Tipp City, Ohio. A former WorkFest volunteer, Rachel joined CAP in July 2009 after graduating from the University of Saint Francis. She lives in Floyd Volunteer House and says she is volunteering because “this is where God wants me.”
Samantha Hebenstreit
Samantha, 19, graduated from high school in 2008 and joined CAP in October 2008. Samantha lives in Johnson Volunteer House and serves in Child and Family Development. She is originally from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Jenny King
Jenny, 29, worked as a high school counselor in North Carolina before joining CAP’s Family Advocacy program in August 2008. She is volunteering because she “wanted to work in an area of service and was drawn to CAP’s vision and ideals in Kentucky.” Jenny lives in Mt. Vernon Volunteer House.
Judith DeAngelis
Judith came to CAP in May 2009 from Florida. She lives in Magoffin Volunteer House and serves in Respite Services.
Alex Durbin
Alex, 23, first came to CAP as a WorkFest student with the University of Illinois-Chicago. Alex returned to CAP and the Housing program in July 2009. He lives in Jackson Volunteer House, and identifies WorkFest as a major reason why he chose to volunteer.
Kristen Lauer
Kristen, 24, is one of three 2009 University of Dayton graduates serving at CAP. Kristen lives in Jackson Volunteer House and serves in Educational and Recreational Programming. She chose CAP because of its location and the “wonderful aspect of nature.”
Patrick Carruthers
Pat, 23, joined CAP in June 2009 after graduating from Marquette University. A New Jersey native, Pat now calls Jackson Volunteer House his home. Pat serves in the Housing program and is volunteering because he wants to learn more about “Kentucky, myself, [and] my relationship with God.”
Lucas Bezerra
Lucas, 20, is taking a year off from his studies at Ohio Weslyan University to volunteer in CAP’s Housing program. Lucas joined CAP in September 2009 and lives in Jackson Volunteer House.
Kathy Burke
Kathy, 55, is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before coming to CAP in June 2009, Kathy was a missionary Sister with the Glenmary Sisters in Kentucky. Kathy lives in Magoffin Volunteer House and does minor repairs for participants in CAP’s Elderly Services program. Kathy says she is volunteering because “I love eastern Kentucky.”
Debi Moore
Debi joined CAP in December 2006. She has served in the respite program and with the elderly, and now serves with Disaster Relief. Debi lives independently of a volunteer house and is volunteering because “I want to share my blessings with others.”
Anita Rayner
Anita came to CAP from Texas in 2004 and has been serving Appalachia ever since. She currently lives in the Magoffin Group Volunteer House, where she cooks for and hosts church and school volunteer groups.
Tom Reger
Tom came to CAP in March 2009 to help repair homes for CAP’s elderly participants. He is from Florida and lives in the Magoffin Volunteer House.
Jillian Gantz
Jillian, 18, came to CAP in September 2009 from Richmond, Virginia. She previously volunteered with CAP as part of a church group. She now serves in CAP’s Spouse Abuse program. Jillian hopes to learn “how to live in community, how to open up, and also to learn how I can spread God’s love.”
Mary Johnson
Mary, 52, is from Las Vegas, Nevada. She came to CAP as a long-term volunteer in September 2009, having previously volunteered on a short-term basis. Mary lives in Louisa Volunteer House and helps to host volunteer groups who serve for a week.
Nicholas Borninski
Nick, 24, came to CAP from the great state of Texas, where he was working for a construction company. The UT-Austin grad now serves in CAP’s Housing program and lives in Johnson Volunteer House. He chose CAP over other programs in part because “volunteers do not have to worry about finances, food, housing, etc. They are free to focus on their work.”
Kayla Cotton
Kayla, 20, is taking a break from college to serve in CAP’s home repair program for the elderly. She lives in Magoffin Volunteer House and volunteered at Camp Shawnee in 2009 before deciding to become a long-term volunteer.
Staci Cordahl
Staci, 19, was working at a preschool in Washington before joining CAP in September 2009. She serves in CAP’s Respite program for persons with disabilities and lives in Rockcastle Volunteer House. Staci says she chose CAP over other programs because “I wanted to stay in the United States, and I felt CAP seemed like a great way to serve. Everyone was very helpful and made me feel comfortable about coming.”
Caitlin Elsik
Caitlin, 18, joined CAP in August 2009 after graduating high school in Illinois. Caitlin’s church, Christ Community in St. Charles, has a strong relationship with CAP, and the community encouraged her to volunteer at Camp Shawnee in the summer of 2009. Caitlin then decided to join CAP’s home repair program for the elderly. She lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
Marilyn Gierczak
Marilyn, 66, came to CAP from Wisconsin, where she was working at an Interfaith organization. She serve in CAP’s Spouse Abuse program and was attracted to CAP’s commitment to service, community and spirituality.
Mary Ann O’Connor
Mary Ann, a retired health care administrator, was volunteering at her local Catholic Charities in San Diego when she decided to make a long-term commitment to CAP in September 2009. She lives in Johnson Volunteer House and teaches parenting classes. She hopes to gain an “understanding of the culture, the people and the issues of Appalachia” during her time at CAP.
Ann Fairchild
Ann served as a long-term volunteer in Child and Family Development from 2007 to summer of 2009. Now she’s back, rejoining CAP in December 2009 to serve in our Accounting Department. Ann is originally from Indiana, and holds a Master’s degree in Accountancy. She lives in Mt. Vernon Volunteer House.
Molly and Kyle Lueken
Molly, 25, joined CAP with her husband Kyle, 26, in October 2009. Before beginning her volunteer time, Molly taught music in a Florida elementary school. Molly now teaches G.E.D. preparation at one of CAP’s partner agencies in West Virginia. Molly is volunteering in part “to learn about some of the root causes and effects of rural poverty, and what is being done to combat it.” Kyle worked as a landscape architect and now volunteers in Housing. Kyle says he and Molly were attracted to “the diversity and flexibility of the programs” in CAP. Molly and Kyle live in Johnson Volunteer House.
Ed Riehl
Ed worked as a recruiter for Peace Corps before joining CAP in February 2010. From New York City, Ed made the move to Kentucky because he was seeking a domestic program with a strong “spiritual component.” Ed serves in the President’s Office and lives in Johnson Volunteer House.
Bridget McCormack
Bridget, 22, is a 2009 graduate of St. Joseph’s College in Patchague, New York. She first came to CAP with a group from her college, then took the plunge into long-term volunteering in January 2010. Like many volunteers, Bridget is at CAP because she feels “called” to be here. Bridget volunteers in Elderly Services and lives in Jackson Volunteer House.
Jessica Phelps
Jessica, 25, was working as an office manager in her home state of Kentucky before joining CAP in October 2009 as a long-term volunteer. She previously served as a short-term volunteer in 2008, and came back with the goal to “grow as a person, grow closer to God and educate myself on helping children reach their potential.” Jessica serves in Child and Family Development and lives in McCreary Volunteer House.
Julia McStravog
Julia, 24, got tired of ”wasting time after graduation” from Marymount University in Virginia and joined CAP as a long-term volunteer in October 2009. The Pennsylvania native serves in Family Advocacy and lives in McCreary Volunteer House.
Diane Beckmann
Diane is one of several long-term volunteers from the Fox Valley area of Wisconsin. She was working as an occupational therapy assistant before joining CAP in October 2009. She chose CAP because she wants to “serve the people of Kentucky and develop new friendships with the CAP participants.” Diane volunteers in Elderly Services and lives in Floyd Volunteer House.
Mandy Moran
Mandy, 29, first volunteered for CAP at Camp Shawnee in 2008. That experience led her to return to CAP in January 2010 to serve at one of CAP’s Spouse Abuse shelters and CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry. Mandy loves being able to “help underprivileged children and their families.” Before CAP, Mandy served two years in Russia as a Wesleyan missionary.
Rachel Weiderman
A Kentucky native, Rachel wanted to “help my state” by joining CAP as a long-term volunteer in January 2010. Rachel is a recent graduate of Western Kentucky University and now serves in Child and Family Development. She lives in Floyd Volunteeer House.
Nancy Tabor
Nancy, from Charlotte, North Carolina, was inspired to join CAP by a 20/20 special on Appalachia. “I am volunteering with CAP because at this point in my life I want to give back,” she says. Nancy serves at the Grateful Bread Food Pantry and lives in Rockcastle Volunteer House.
