We are still welcoming new participants! We have a lot of work to complete this year, and more hands would be a big help. If you know of any teens or adults who might be interested, please encourage them to reach out!

Please see the link below for the application for the 2025 trip.  You can bring the completed application to the next meeting or email it to [email protected].

Upcoming Meetings & Events:

Highlights of the 2025 Trip: 
What a week! We just wrapped up another incredible trip to West Virginia with 34 volunteers, including five first-timers who jumped right in and quickly became part of the crew. Over the course of the week, we worked on six different sites, all of which brought real improvements to the lives of the families we served.

It was a full week of hard work, but our team showed up with servant hearts, positive energy, and a whole lot of determination.  Of course, we also made time for fun! Evenings were filled with trips to Dairy Queen, a night of bowling, and a pickleball tournament that brought out everyone’s competitive (and hilarious) side. Lots of laughter and memories were shared — both on and off the job sites.

We’re proud of all we accomplished, but even more thankful for the time we spent together and the lives we were able to touch. Thank you to everyone who supported us — through prayers, donations, and encouragement. Your support made this mission possible.

Dates of the 2026 Trip: July 26th to August 1st
Throughout the year adults and youth involved in the Operation Appalachia come together to plan for events that help raise funds for the trip.  One major fundraiser is the sale of Christmas Ornaments and Alternative Christmas Cards during the Advent season.  We also rely upon contributions from members of the Parish, corporations, and other private donors.  

If you would like to make a financial contribution, you may send it to our Parish Office (Attention: Operation Appalachia. Checks should be made payable to Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel - Operation Appalachia), or online HERE (be sure to note Operation Appalachia on the reason for Payment/Donation).

 Please note the following steps and guidelines:

• Please download and complete the APPLICATION FORM.  Paper forms will also available at information/planning meetings and also in the parish office. 

• For planning team purposes, application forms should already be submitted. If you have not yet done so, please contact Dan and Julia Rizos as soon as possible. 

 

• Due to rising facility costs, we must now ask for a $150 fee with each application. If this charge is in any way a hardship, please contact Julia or Dan Rizos at [email protected]. We do not want to let this fee prohibit anyone from attending the trip. 

 

• To plan your trip, please review the Individual Packing List and Team Packing List for reminders of dress guidelines and what to bring.

• There are specific Diocesan requirements for those who are or will be 18 or older at the time of the trip.  Please click HERE for details and be sure to complete these requirements well in advance of our trip.

• IMPORTANT: Please read the Code of Pastoral Conduct for the Paterson Diocese and the  Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston - Policy Relating to Sexual Abuse of Children

Before applications may be received, we have a number of guidelines and requirements:

• Volunteer Throughout the Year: Fellowship is at the heart of our ministry, and fund raising is the only way we can afford the materials, lodging and transportation for our week in West Virginia. We encourage everyone to attend meetings and help with our fund raising events and efforts.

• Age Requirement: Anyone 16 years or older may participate in the trip to Appalachia .  For those under the age of 16, you must be entering at least the 9th grade by the September following the trip and be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 

• VIRTUS Requirements:  Required for anyone 18 or over at the time of the trip, or anyone who has not had a background check completed within the last three years. The background check must be completed before attending Virtus Training. You may schedule both at the same time, but you must have the background done prior to participating in VIRTUS.  Click HERE for details on how to fulfill these requirements.  Please note that as Virtus training is only given a few times a year in our area, it is important to register and attend as soon as possible!