On July 23rd, 2017, 23 students and adults from Nutley FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) traveled to Gatlinburg, TN for a week to serve those affected by the recent forest fires. In early December 2016, a large forest fire swept through the Great Smoky Mountains of Eastern Tennessee destroying over 2,800 structures leaving many homeless in the Gatlinburg, TN area.
While the students were in Gatlinburg they worked with two organizations, Live-It Ministries, which serves local orphans and widows, and Volunteer East Tennessee who is working with those directly affected by the forest fires. The students mainly worked removing debris from homes destroyed by the forest fires. They worked hard in hot humid conditions with positive attitudes, putting in long hours each day.
After each work day, the students had some fun enjoying different activities offered in the Gatlinburg area including riding the sky lift, mountain costar, horse riding, dinner show, indoor wall climbing, cliff diving and swimming in a creek in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.
During the week, the students were able to work hard, serve others, build relationships, and grow closer together and to God.