More than a decade ago, Texas Roadhouse sent its first team of volunteers to serve with Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) and has continued a tradition of service with CAP since 2009. The accounting team from Texas Roadhouse recently revisited one of their first projects at CAP’s Camp Shawnee to continue their efforts in making improvements to the camp.
During one of their first visits to CAP, a team built benches for the outdoor chapel at Camp Shawnee, but over the years the benches began to bow. During their recent service trip, the Texas Roadhouse employees deconstructed their original work and built new and improved bench seating, complete with new backing for children to lean against.
“The chapel is the first place the campers go when they arrive,” said Heather Spurlock, vice president of accounting at Texas Roadhouse. “They come here for fun activities like the talent show, as well as for spiritual time. These new benches will be a little more comfortable as they start their adventure at Camp Shawnee.”
During their service to CAP, Texas Roadhouse volunteers have dedicated much of their time and efforts to making improvements at Camp Shawnee, one of two residential summer camps CAP hosts for children in Appalachia. Summer camp, in-school services, and a Teen Leadership Program are all components of the organization’s Youth Empowerment Services, which serves more than 1,000 children each year.
Texas Roadhouse employees have also served with CAP by building ramps to help families and seniors have safe and easy accessibility in and out of their homes.
“They have been coming for several years and they are just like family,” said Ronnie Griffith, a Home Repair crew leader who has led Texas Roadhouse employees on worksite projects. He also led the group during their recent visit while working on the chapel benches. “They feel like family when they come. They are here to help CAP in any way we need them. Anything we need, they are willing to help.”
In recent years Texas Roadhouse has also become a corporate sponsor of CAP’s annual Hunger Walk, which collects food and funds to support CAP’s food pantry network.
Spurlock said to her the partnership between CAP and Texas Roadhouse is an easy match. In fact, her connection with the organization goes back several years to her grandfather who knew Rev. Ralph W. Beiting, CAP’s founder. Spurlock said Beiting had great support from her grandfather and others in the community because they knew the good work he was doing, and they wanted to help him in his mission. Her aunt and uncle both also served as one-year volunteers with the organization.
“It fills the soul coming to CAP, giving back, and being a part of something so positive and so powerful,” Spurlock said.
