Drew Sechler
dsechler@salisburypost.com
Roy ‘Cotton’ and Pansy Rodden are just the type of folks Carolina Cross Connection is seeking out to help in a time of need.
Carolina Cross Connection is a Christian ministry, based inLincolton, that seeks out to those who are in need of assistance in the community. CCC brings together youth and adults from churches across North Carolina to provide minor home repair.
Wednesday, the volunteers at CCC were hard at work at the Roddens’ house on J. Brown Road building a porch.
“I’m just tickled. I’ve been wanting a porch,” Pansy Rodden said.
Both Cotton and Pansy were very appreciative of the work that CCC has done for them.
“I think it’s great for them to be doing things like this,” Pansy Rodden said.
Emily Foster, camp director of Joshua Youth Camp in Albemarle, has been at this for some time.
“I was 14 and my youth group at my church had been going for a long time. I decided to go and I loved it,” Foster said.
Foster is now the leader of the pack, so to speak, and she couldn’t be prouder of what she’s accomplished and done with CCC.
Foster says meeting the people she works for and seeing her campers grow together in Christ is its own reward.
Lauren Black, from Lexington, has also been a part of CCC for several years and offered these sentiments.
“I really like it. It makes you realize how much you have as a person,” Black said.
Ben Van Pelt, field coordinator from Kannapolis, says this summer has been difficult with the economy being the way it is. CCC is a nonprofit organization and donations are greatly appreciated.
Foster emphasized that going overseas to do mission work is great, but you can’t forget about your local communities, he said.
Megan Kelly, along with the others, seemed gung-ho about their work and dedication to CCC.
“All of it is pretty nice being able to help other people,” Kelly said.
“You get to help awesome people.”
Those awesome people, the Roddens, couldn’t get enough of the love and generosity bestowed upon them.”They seem like they’re really nice kids. I’m proud of them,” Pansy Rodden said.
CCC serves about 20 counties, and about 1,300 campers come each summer to volunteer their time and services.
Cotton Rodden summed it up by saying, “It’s great for them to do things like this. It suits me.”