Appalachia Programs

The Auxier Center

 The Auxier Center – formerly the Auxier Lifetime Learning Center – was begun by Charlie and Sue Schaffer at the behest of Rev. Ralph Beiting, who founded the Christian Appalachian Project.

The Auxier School was closed in the 1990s, and The Auxier Center was founded in 2000 as the new hub for community activities. It has since been a source of education, recreation and a gathering place for social events, and its work has grown to include four surrounding counties and parts of West Virginia.

The Auxier Center became a part of Hand in Hand Ministries on January 1, 2007. The two organizations had worked closely together for several years, and HHM took on the Center to ensure that its programs would continue now that Charlie and Sue have started their much-deserved retirement.

Hand in Hand Ministries plans to find replacements, continue most programs and hopes to be able to raise funds to repair and update the existing facilities – which include the school and an adjacent building.

Below is a listing of the Center’s accomplishments in 2009, and stories of some of those helped. 

We recently received an email from Ada in Appalachia. Many of you remember working on her trailer and she will never forget any of you. She wanted everyone to know how happy she is this winter.

"My Dear Friends,
I have a beautiful red coat that keeps me so warm. I have needed a new coat for the last two or three years. I have needed friends that care for me just the way I am. I am sitting in my warm, beautiful home with a full stomach, sending an email on a computer that I could not afford (and never thought I would be smart enough to use).

I have a beautiful set of curtains on my kitchen window that I love!!!!!!!!  I have wanted a sewing machine forever, I have wanted the material to make kitchen curtains for a long time. Without my Auxier friends, the sewing machine and curtains would not be mine.

1. I am thankful to God for the many blessings that I receive.
2. I am thankful for my friends at Auxier.

The red coat came from your yard sale this past summer. With the help of getting extra food each month, it helps us to have extra money to pay our utility bills, so we stay warm.

One last thought, my trailer is the best looking one (in my opinion) in Heyden Trailer Court. The volunteers done an excellent job painting my trailer. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for everything you all have done for us.

May God bless and keep you all safe, Ada"

One of The Auxier Center’s main goals is to bring Eastern Kentucky residents access to the internet and new job opportunities by providing free computers to those who complete the center’s computer course. HHM has also delivered over $100,000 in food, clothing, furniture, toys and the basic necessities to families in Appalachia over the last year. Most of the supplies were collected at the HHM Warehouse in Louisville.

The Auxier Center

2009 Statistics

Home Repair Program
• Repaired 52 homes for low income families
• 22 groups of volunteers made immersion trips in 2009
• Built 10 wheelchair ramps
Outreach Program
• Served nearly 100 families by distributing items such as clothing, bedding, baby items, furniture, etc.
Food Pantry
• Distributed food to nearly more than 400 low-income families  
Spring and Fall Classes
• Educated 28 adults in the basic computer class
• Provided 28 adults with quilting and sewing classes
• Provided cooking, literacy, sewing machine repair and other classes
Five Kids Summer Camps
• Hosted 39 children
Computer Give Away
• Distributed 104 computers to low-income adults and children in West Virginia and Kentucky and offered free computer repair other families in need.
Assisted other local organizations
Donated books and supplies to:
• Paintsville Independent School
• St. Lukes Catholic Church
• Beauty Thrift Store
• Goodwill
• Christian Appalachian Projects Elderly Program