By Suzy Alstrin
A team of Reinhardt University students participated in a service initiative supporting families in Central Appalachia. From June 15 to June 21, 2025, the group repaired homes in Hazard County, Kentucky for homeowners who had no means to do it themselves.
The volunteer team, led by University Chaplain Grant Perry, joined a larger project organized by the Appalachian Service Project (ASP), a nonprofit dedicated to home-building and repair in underserved areas of Appalachia. Students Brinley Christiansen (RU-2028), Mason King (RU-2025), Courtney Kull (RU-2028), Hanna Peace (RU-2027), Marquia White (RU-2026), and Tatum Williams (RU-2027) participated alongside several other teams.
The mission trip had a tangible impact on both the families served and the students themselves. Marquia White (RU-2026) made a connection with a homeowner while building stairs to his back door. “I learned you don’t need a lot of time to make a difference or for someone to make a difference in your life,” she reflected. “It gave me a new perspective on other people’s lives. People around there don’t even have running water. Praying is good, but if you can actually do something about it, then do it. It’s putting love into action.”
