Carolina Cross Connection makes Rockingham County debut

Despite the scorching temperatures this week, some college students were determined to build a porch and wheelchair ramp for Ruby and Burl McMillion of Reidsville on Wednesday.

Carolina Cross Connection (CCC) brings teens and young adults from across the country together for  weeklong camps throughout the summer. During this time, participants use their talents to perform service projects, share their faith in the community and build a strong faith in one another.

This is the first time the organization has come to Rockingham County, and this particular camp was set up for college-aged students.

The organization pays for all the necessary building supplies and goes out to the community to help fix or repair damages to homes, spruce up paint jobs and, in the case of the McMillion family, build wheelchair ramps.

“They’ve been a blessing on me and they say the have been blessed by me,” said Burl McMillion.

As a minister himself, McMillion said he can see the hands of the Lord working through them.

“Every time someone does something for you, they have their hand out and want money for doing it,” said McMillion.

McMillion says that is not the case with the CCC campers.

Camp director Amanda Stafford said every now and then a homeowner will help with building costs, but it’s not required, and the camp does its best to pay for the materials. Some local stores in the communities they serve give the group discounts on lumber, paint or other needs they may have.

By 2 p.m. the group was well on its way to finishing the wheelchair ramp and, despite the scorching heat, their red faces and a lot of sweat, every single one of them still had a smile on their face.

They socialized not only among themselves, but also with the family they were helping. They played Christian music during their work and lent each other a hand when needed.

One member of the group in particular showed how, through her faith, she could do anything. Despite having both cerebral palsy and epilepsy, Anna Vrana was determined to help out.

Vrana said she used a power saw for the first time, and that was a leap of faith for her, but she trusted her team to keep her safe.

“She does not let that stop her,” said Stafford of Vrana’s disabilities.

Vrana enjoys the camp and giving back.

“I really enjoy it,” said Vrana. “It’s something, you know, I come to in the state I normally am in and I leave a different person, in a more positive way.”

Trey Warren said he appreciates the worship times the group has at Camp Guilrock, where members stay while working in Rockingham County.

“We spend time with God,” said Warren. “We worship, we always have some kind of different and interactive way to worship.”

Warren said the group conducts a different form of worship each day, and each difference reaches someone in a different way. According to Warren, campers will look at one form of worship and say ‘that’s my way of worshiping,’ because that’s what works best for them.

Camp field coordinator Mary Heather Lineberger said the community which the group builds at camp is amazing and supportive, but so is the community in which it serves.

“You’re not only impacting them, they’re impacting you,” said Lineberger, “like Mr. Burl here.”

CCC is always looking for donations to help with the building expenses. It holds different camps throughout the summer. For more information on how to donate or get involved, go to www.carolinacrossconnection.org.