Trail Life USA Troop 0152 Helps Hurricane Helene Victims

The Severna Park Baptist Church-sponsored Trail Life USA and American Heritage Girls (AHG), two separate but Troop 0152-affiliated groups, are always looking to serve. A big opportunity presented itself in November.

A church member and Trail Life leader had connections to families in Elizabethton, Tennessee, who were still reeling from Hurricane Helene, with many displaced due to the flooding. Trail Life, with the American Heritage Girls youth assisting, led the church in partnering with the community to gather supplies for the Elizabethton, Roan Mountain and Hunter communities. They got the word out through the church and community, and so many donations arrived that they filled a truck.

“The opportunity just dropped in our laps,” said Stacey Benning, a charter member and church liaison for American Heritage Girls. Her husband, Darrin, serves in the same positions for Trail Life. “We thought, ‘What do we do? We know there’s a need, but how do we meet it?’ But it all fell together. Of course, we know God was part of it.”

The connection to Tennessee came from Mary Susan Roorda, the wife of a Trail Life leader, Chris Roorda. Mary Susan has been a longtime friend of Tammy Harosky, an English and Spanish teacher at Unaka High School in the Carter County Public Schools system in Elizabethton, who shared about the needs of students whose families had been affected by the flooding. Mary Susan, Chris and their son, Thomas, wanted to assist and knew the Trail Life group could help.

Working with the school's principal, Mike Ensor, who shared a list of needs, Trail Life leaders set a collection date. Severna Park Baptist Church allocated a room for storage, and American Heritage Girls spread the word and collected donations. As the message spread through the community, people responded. They really wanted to help — more than anyone expected.

Stacey said, “We were shocked. We filled up a 14-foot truck. People brought all kinds of stuff — from diapers, wipes, clothing, blankets, and sheets to a kerosene heater. They brought everything needed.”

Darrin said, “The kids had a great time loading the truck, but there was so much more to it than that.”

Following a conference call, where Trail Life members learned of the devastating effects of the flooding, Darrin said the boys’ eyes were opened to human suffering.

“They began to understand that people can really be without a home and nice things and need help,” he said.

Once the truck was loaded, Chris and Thomas Roorda drove the truck to Tennessee, where football players from Unaka High School unloaded the donations.

“The community was very grateful,” Mary Susan said. “The football coach said they already had volunteers lined up to distribute the items to those in need.”

The Severna Park Baptist-sponsored American Heritage Girls and Trail Life groups kicked off their seventh year this fall. They’re averaging about 67 boys and girls from kindergarten through 12th grade.

“We started in 2017,” said Stacey, who, with Darrin, brought the idea to the Rev. Dave Brown at Severna Park Baptist Church. He was immediately on board. His four girls made up half of the American Heritage Girls troop that first year, said Stacey with a laugh. Brown’s wife, Danielle, is the American Heritage Girls troop leader. Eric Hudgens is the troop leader for Trail Life USA.

On Tuesdays, the girls meet upstairs and the boys meet downstairs for opening ceremonies for the two groups before they go to their age-appropriate small groups.

American Heritage Girls and Trail Life are separate faith-based scouting alternatives, emphasizing biblical principles as students earn badges, serve their communities, and develop leadership skills as they take on increasing leadership responsibilities.

St. John the Evangelist Church in Severna Park also sponsors an American Heritage Girls troop, and Divine Mercy Academy in Millersville sponsors a Trail Life group.

Severna Park Baptist Church will host an area-wide training on January 18 sponsored by the American Heritage Girls D.C. Metro area for American Heritage Girls leaders or anyone interested in starting a program. Those interested in starting a Trail Life group can visit the troop’s Facebook page or contact the church.

For detailed information and to find an American Heritage Girls troop, visit www.americanheritagegirls.org. To learn about a Trail Life troop, visit www.traillifeusa.com.