Samaritan Colony alums: Mission work in the mountains

One of the significant values taught at Samaritan Colony’s treatment program is the importance of service work and giving back.

With the cleanup and recovery efforts still underway in Western North Carolina from Hurricane Helene, six Samaritan Colony graduates were allowed to put this lesson into practice last month.

These Colony graduates, who completed 29 days of intensive residential treatment, now reside in the nonprofit’s Moore County recovery homes. Samaritan Colony’s recovery homes are an essential function for clients recovering from the disease of addiction. Recovery homes are sober living environments that allow program graduates to continue their treatment at a lower level of care while integrating back into independent living. Recovery home residents must hold jobs, pay rent, and attend 12-step meetings in the community. Samaritan Colony oversees the five recovery homes that have a total of 44 beds.

This service work trip in early October resulted from a phone call executive director Mark Christopher received from Baptists on Mission. Baptists on Mission has supplied volunteer labor for the last two years to help construct Samaritan Colony’s new 14-bed treatment center for women.

Immediately following Hurricane Helene’s devastation to the Western part of North Carolina on Sept. 27, the volunteers from Baptists on Mission dropped everything and momentarily put their work on hold at Samaritan Colony. They headed west to the mountains to provide help wherever they could.

After several days, Christopher received a call from Baptists on Mission, asking if the Samaritan Colony could send some help.

Word circulated quickly through Samaritan Colony’s recovery homes, asking if anyone wanted to join Christopher for this mission work.

Six Samaritan Colony treatment program graduates volunteered, putting their paying jobs temporarily on hold. Two Samaritan Colony supporters also joined the service mission.

One of the volunteers, Patrick Ellis, said yes without knowing many details. He knew he needed to bring rubber boots and a trash bag full of clothes.

“Part of what we learn in the Colony is to avoid getting too caught up in our problems and becoming overly consumed with ourselves. One way to do this is by helping others and being of service.”

Ellis was shocked by the damage he saw. He equated it to be “something out of a movie.” Ellis and the other volunteers were assigned to help with the cleanup efforts in Spruce Pine.

Ellis found the volume of supplies delivered and the people who had turned out to help inspiring.

“It was cool seeing the good side of things. Seeing people bringing in ATVs, work equipment, and supplies. Everyone was cooperating. Different government groups were there, but most were just ordinary people—church groups and other volunteers providing help.

Joshua Fields is another recovery home resident who volunteered to join the Christopher-led group.

“Mark asked me if I’d like to go out there. Mark spoke to my boss and got the okay for me to take some time off work.”

My first reaction was, “Wow, I’m leaving Moore County. Since graduating from the Colony in April, I’ve done nothing but recovery. I thought this was a chance to help. Service work is one of the biggest steps in recovery in the 12 steps of AA.”

His first impression when we got out to Spruce Pine was, “Holy Crap.” I’ve never seen a disaster like that, but I’ve seen hard times.”

Fields summarized his thoughts on his time in the mountains. “This experience makes me more grateful for what I have. I am already extremely grateful for what Samaritan Colony has provided me.”

“It was awesome how well people came together. There were a lot of hands, and the supplies and materials donated were amazing,” said Fields.

In addition to helping clean up the sheriff’s station in Spruce Pine, one crucial task was removing a tree from the roof of a home where a 93-year-old woman resided. Her son had coordinated with Baptists on Mission, who arranged for Samaritan Colony volunteers to remove the tree and temporarily patch her roof.

Other recovery home residents donated hundreds of dollars for the effort, funds used to purchase clothing and other supplies for people impacted by Hurricane Helene.

As executive director of Samaritan Colony, Christopher is a mentor, spiritual advisor, and leader for the men who joined him on this trip of service. He summarized his experience by sharing his thoughts; “Feeding the spirit through work to raise other people’s spirits.” 

Feature photo: Samartin Colony crew assists at a Western North Carolina church after Hurricane Helene devastated the area—all photos provided by Samaritan Colony. 

~ Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Maggie Sergio and director of development for Samaritan Colony. A resident of Moore County since 2016, Maggie was one of the first reporters for Sandhills Sentinel. She started covering local stories for Sandhills Sentinel in 2018 and has recently rejoined the reporting staff. Maggie previously contributed to the Huffington Post, covering social and environmental justice issues. Maggie is an accomplished grant writer, having secured funding for several nonprofit organizations.