Giving Back by Volunteering
By: Jennifer Penate
Updated: June 12, 2012
JOPLIN, MO -- A group of teens who have experienced disaster first hand are now dedicating part of their summer to help Joplin rebuild.
"That closet was what protected us. In fact, the stairs what protected us," says tornado survivor Edward Boyd.
This picture in TIME Magazine shows Boyd and his wife peering out of what was left of their home on May 22nd.
"I don't wish this on anybody," says Boyd.
But now, Boyd stands on the porch of his new home- that's nearly complete.
He's thankful volunteers are here to help him rebuild.
"I thank them so much," says Boyd.
"I like knowing that we're making a difference in someone's life," says Bailey Flynn.
Flynn and 14 other teens are helping the Boyds. They're from Home Church Parish in New Orleans, Louisiana.
They spent the morning building a retaining wall at the Boyds' home.
"We in New Orleans really appreciated when people came and helped us out after katrina and so it's just a blessing from God to be able to come here and give some of that to them,' says volunteer Jacob Stoehr.
The group joined the national organization Catholic Mission Trips to come volunteer in Joplin.
"It's inspiration because how young they are," says Mike Eannoen with Catholic Mission Trips.
Each week Catholic Mission Trips works with a different group of kids from across the country to help rebuild homes in town.
Something that amazes Boyd.
"The kids are working their tails off. I can't believe it," says Boyd.
