Youth group offers hurricane relief in Louisiana
The Holy Family Parish Jaywalkers led a local group of missionaries to Lake Charles, La., where they helped with hurricane relief. Pictured were the participating youth: (front row, from left) Regan Boxrucker, Avery Thompson, Zach Mara, Jerrod Osterkamp, Riley Whitney, Allison Kennedy; (second row) Ruby Koeller, Caeli McMahon, Kennedy Kirschbaum, Morgan Chase, Anna Szymanski, Hailey Brueggen, Hennessey LaMere, James Hundt; (third row) Grace Fritsche, Lindsey Nolan, Tyler Harris, Dawson Eastman, Ryan Waller, Peggy Koresh, Cameron LaMere; (fourth/fifth rows) Ella Fry, Josie Kramer, Sadie Koresh, Nathan Luebke, Drake Ingham, Nicole Rickleff, Kori Jaynes, Nick Mara, Grant LAmberty and Thomas Haney. (Submitted photos)
Helping this couple—married for 63 years—with construction of a deck and ramp were (from left) Fr. Anthony, Nick Mara, Dawson Eastman, the two homeowners, Thomas Haney, the homeowners’ son, Alex Osterkamp and Todd Koresh.
Some of the girls who helped sort and package food for Catholic Charities included (front) Ella Fry; (back row, from left) Caeli McMahon, Sadie Koresh, Riley Whitney and Ruby Koeller.
By Correne Martin
A group of 41 young volunteers and chaperones traveling with the Holy Family Parish Jaywalkers assisted a record high 12 homeowners and organizations in Lake Charles, La., July 23-30. This was part of their annual mission trip to help American citizens in need, typically due to hurricane disasters.
The Christian missionaries went to Lake Charles (about two and a half hours from New Orleans) to provide relief for the one-two punch created by Hurricanes Laura and Delta in August and October 2020. The West Lake Baptist Church hosted the youth group, which included 26 from the Prairie du Chien area; two girls from Marquette and McGregor; two boys, a priest and a seminarian from the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau area; and eight students and a chaperone from Holmen.
The Jaywalkers assisted people from all walks of life—from a blind woman to an older couple in their 80s whose grandfather built the house, now destroyed by the hurricane.
They split into four crews and rolled up their sleeves to engage in relief work, like installing dry wall, mudding and taping an entire house; sorting food commodities in a Catholic Charities warehouse; cleaning up for a homeowner with hoarding issues; hanging ceiling fans, painting and laying floorboards; building a ramp; removing brush and landscaping, distributing food to families in need, etc.
“This trip was probably the most emotional for us. One woman lived with her 19-year-old and 25-year-old sons, who said their mother was ... depressed, and had become a hoarder,” explained Jaywalkers’ leader Mary Stoeffler. “Our kids masked up and wore gloves and went in there. Some of our girls got overwhelmed, but they saw it through.”
Stoeffler shared that the 19-year-old was the valedictorian of his class, worked full-time and was trying very much, along with his brother, to improve his mom’s situation.
“We saw first-hand that he did not let his circumstances define his outcome,” she said. “Instead, he used [his circumstances] to drive him to do something positive. The kids said it was very humbling.”
Stoeffler remarked that, despite the heat and humidity, this was the hardest working crew she’s seen in her 11 years, including the first seven years the La Crosse Diocese led the charge.
Holy Family Parish has been doing its own service trip for the past four years.
“We had four college kids and three young adults; they were true leaders. To see their growth from attending many years has been phenomenal,” she stated. “That has an influence on our high school kids.”
While not serving the Lake Charles community, the crew spent a day sightseeing Catholic sites in New Orleans. One of the highlights was experiencing a cooking school where they made shrimp bisque and jambalaya. They also enjoyed a café, foosball table, and other entertaining amenities for the week while staying at the Baptist Church. They attended a beautiful Sunday mass as well.
“The whole trip was easy, congenial; nobody quit. Everybody we saw was just the most joyous, especially for people who’ve had so much destruction and tragedy in their lives,” Stoeffler said. “We never know who we’re gonna help or where we’ll see the face of God. It’s eye-opening.”
The youth are reminded, according to Stoeffler, that “their service doesn’t end after the trip. [This exposure] keeps sparking their desire to serve. Service comes in many forms. Sometimes, it’s not only the physical, but the spiritual and emotional sides that are equally important.”
“My faith was strengthened in so many ways,” said Ruby Koeller, of McGregor. “Witnessing the love of Christ flourish and having the privilege of being the hands and feet of the lord was a feeling I’ll never forget.”
“It was a long but fun-filled and hard working week. I’m looking forward to what the next trip with this group brings,” said second-year missionary Nicole Rickleff, of Prairie du Chien.
To share more about their mission trip and in thanks to the many sponsors who made the trip a reality, the Jaywalkers and friends will host a free supper and presentation for the public on Wednesday, Aug. 18, at St. John’s Parish Hall at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome.
