Camp Cadiz Assists Those Who Most Need It

Vicky Land had no idea Camp Cadiz was coming to the rescue.

Living on Rich Circle Road for the last two decades, she struggles with COPD and emphysema, has had two back surgeries and doesn’t like to get out much — unless it’s to take her 12-year-old purebred chihuahua Auggie for a short walk.

She’s long needed her gutters cleaned and a new three-level ramp-and-stair built, and clearly couldn’t do it herself — much less organize the efforts to do so.

But again, that’s what Camp Cadiz is for. Its week-long mission of love and service, from kids to adults, does everything it can to reach all the corners of Trigg County.

So when Kevin Terrell, Steve Thomas, Andy Terrell and a cab full of kids rolled up in the driveway, she was taken aback by the kindness and generosity.

Even now, Land says she has no idea who recommended her needs to Camp Cadiz. But she was thankful they were met.

The classic-rock-kicking-crew had camp veteran and rock DJ Nathan Shanks in tow, as well as Colby Ross and a few others. They spent several hours Thursday revitalizing her property before packing up and heading to another project on Oak Court.

Kevin said the best way to meet people, especially in and around Cadiz, was to help people with no expectations of thanks. And it’s rewarding to offer people help and hope.

He is another veteran of Camp Cadiz, and he called the week a personal blessing.

And it’s more than just the adults and the projects, but the kids make the week, too.

Less than a mile away on Oak Court, Scotty Hampton, Ricky Butts used Thursday afternoon to close up their 10th or 11th project. The kids had lost count.

This time, they were installing a long-running ramp for a family, nearly 30 feet, and they had to dig deep post holes and fill them with quick-crete before leveling the planks.

Gauge Wade, a soon-to-be senior at Trigg County High School, has two jobs during the summer — hanging gutters with his grandfather in the morning, while working with an electrician in the evening.

He said it doesn’t feel the same making money for himself, as it does working for other people and for free.

It’s even better when everyone you’re working with feels the same way.