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“Here are my hands, how may I serve?” was the motto eight county citizens took with them on a mission trip recently.

Adults and teen members of Charlotte Charge, a group made up of four area churches in Charlotte County, traveled to Roanoke for three days of service to others as part of REACH organization in its efforts to provide support to the local community and make a difference.

“One of the most rewarding parts of volunteering with REACH is realizing the difference just one group can make in a week to this community,” member Melissa Adams said.

According to Adams, this is the fifth year Charlotte Charge has helped with the REACH organization.

“I’m always amazed to see how our youth jump in and work so hard. They are always so eager to learn. They don’t complain, they work well together and embrace the new challenges of each day,” Adams said.

During their time there, the youth spent time helping to feed the homeless, do home repairs, and other community work.

“It’s very humbling to see the homeless, cook for them and eat in the dining area with them at the Rescue Mission,” Adams said. “You realize that there are so many in a situation where they need the food bank weekly or just a hot meal every now and again.”

According to Adams, the REACH Rescue Mission feeds people in need of three meals a day each day.

“Our group works very hard while we are there.,” she added. “Some of us get up at 5 a.m. to go to the Rescue Mission to help cook breakfast, and we help prepare food for lunch and dinner.”

Mary Madison Lockridge was one youth who was a part of helping with home building and repairs while there.

“Knowing that the house we were working on was going to give a needy family a home touched me the most,” Lockridge said. 

The home the group worked on in previous years currently has a family living in it.

“It’s great to watch how our youth embrace this,” Adams said. “Sometimes, people just need a helping hand to get them through another day.”