Teens to serve LV needy

Thursday, July 29, 1999 | 10:13 a.m.

More than 50 teens from seven states will be coming to Las Vegas this week to help out with local charities and shelters.

The volunteers are working through the international Youth Unlimited SERVE Projects program, which sponsors 24 volunteer programs in the United States, Canada and Honduras. The programs provide more than 1,500 teens and adult leaders the opportunity to travel and volunteer.

Grace Valley Christian Reformed Church will serve as a host site, providing food, transportation and lodging. This is the church's first year in the valley. The congregation meets in small groups in homes as the church has no building.

While in Las Vegas the volunteers will assist Catholic Charities with its soup kitchen, thrift store and day care, Frankie Wunderink, SERVE Project Coordinator, said. Other volunteers will hold a rummage sale to benefit The Shade Tree women's shelter. Others will paint, sort and help with general cleanup at Las Vegas Rescue Mission, M.A.S.H. Village and Help for the Homeless.

In the evenings volunteers will meet to hear speakers who will challenge them in spiritual and daily growth to become better citizens, Wunderink said.

Not only are the youth volunteering their time and effort, they also pay a $185 application fee to Youth Unlimited and pay their transportation fees.

It's a chance to travel and help out, Wunderink said. "It's a really good way to grow kids and gives them a world perspective other than their own community."

The volunteers will be working Saturday through Aug. 6.