Youth Group Helps Hurricane Ike Victims

A group of local teens give "a summer road trip" a whole new meaning. The Central Christian Church Youth Group is heading to Texas City to help families devastated by Hurricane Ike last year.
 

After loading up three vehicles, a prayer is said to send them off.
The group is led by youth sponsor Brad Bounds. Once they arrive at the coast the teens will pick up a brush and a tool and help rebuild. "We are going to be staying in a church gym. We'll be working on small home repairs and doing a lot of painting on the houses." said Bounds.

The group of young men and women will join others who are descending upon devastated areas. They will be separated into groups to do the work. For teens like Michael Talley the trip is all about giving back. "It's so rewarding. To see the smiles on their faces is worth everything. These people don't have friends, they don't have families sometimes and we become their families and friends." said Talley.

This is the fourth time the youth group is traveling to help others. Their efforts have even taken them abroad. he church has traveled to Puerto Rico, and last year they made it to Belize. Pictures posted inside the church's community room show their rebuilding efforts there, a goal they hope to accomplish just hours from home.
 

It's an experience this 18 year old has shared with his father. Both were also in Alaska two years ago to help communities in need. "The work was very rewarding. I got to build my first deck and that was very exciting when we got it done." said Walter Talley.

The teens are scheduled to return Friday June 26.