By Mary Catherine Brooks
MULLENS — Local officials celebrated AmeriCorps Week during ceremonies Friday at the Mullens Opportunity Center.
Complete with live bluegrass music and food, the event was one of numerous celebrations across the United States to recognize AmeriCorps VISTA members for their impact, as well as the community partners who make AmeriCorps possible.
The celebration provided an opportunity to spotlight the work done by VISTA members and to motivate more residents to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.
The Rural Appalachian Improvement League has used several AmeriCorps VISTA members to assist with local projects.
“We’re all here today because of the volunteers,” emphasized Dewey Houck, RAIL president.
RAIL houses a variety of programs in the Mullens Opportunity Center, including educational, economic development and health improvement projects, among others.
“RAIL has been a godsend to our county and our community,” said Frank Blackwell, county schools superintendent. “So many of these things would never have happened without volunteers.”
Also housed in the MOC is the Upper Guyandotte Watershed Association, which has worked to clean up area waterways and to advance flood control projects by working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Houck developed RAIL as a means to help Mullens rebuild following the 2001 flood, which nearly destroyed the downtown business district.
“This is a model of success that can easily be duplicated in any coal mining community,” said Dvon Duncan, RAIL director.
