Mission trip to McDowell County, WV, US Rural, June 17, 2006 to June 23, 2006

Shots & Vaccinations:
An updated Tetanus shot is Strongly Recommended for ALL projects. Hepatitis A is recommended.

Suggested Travel Agency:

Angie Lepley, CTC
Tangerine Travel, Ltd.
16017 Juanita Woodinville Way NE, #201
Bothell, WA 98011
Phone (800) 678-8202
Direct (425) 354-6910
Email Angie@tangerinetravel.com
www.tangerinetravel.com

Suggested Travel Insurance:

We highly recommend all program participants have health insurance coverage for international trips. It is important to know that most regular health insurance plans do not cover you overseas. Health coverage is not a requirement for domestic trips, but still recommended.

Groups:

Bethel Community, OH (Cassie Cousino)
Sunnyside Alliance, MD (Audrey & Jerry West)

Location Description:
West Virginia, in the Appalachian Highlands, has some of the most rugged land in the United States. The state has few large areas of level ground, except for strips of valley land that lie along the larger rivers. Steep, rolling hills and narrow valleys make up this region west of the mountains.

West Virginia is one of the nation's leading producers of coal. Coal deposits lie under about two-thirds of the land.

Almost 150 years ago, McDowell County was considered extremely inaccessible, and although the rails and roads improved this condition, it is still sparsely populated. Welch, the county seat, is the largest city in McDowell, with a population of just over 3,000. It is magnificently timbered and is the trading center for surrounding coal fields.(www.mcdowellwv.com)

New... Video of West Virginia Missions

Weather:
The climate is characterized by warm, humid summers (75-85 degrees). The weather is subject to sudden change during all seasons.

Area Attractions:
White water rafting (www.awrafts.com, 800-624-8060); camping at Panther State Park; hiking at Pinnacle Rock State Park; History of the Mountains Museum (304-436-3239)

Many West Virginians are of German, Irish, Scotch-Irish, or English descent. West Virginia was part of the state of Virginia until the Civil War. When Virginia joined the Confederate States in 1861, the people of the northwestern counties remained loyal to the Union. They formed a new government, and West Virginia became a separate state in 1863.

Until 1880, there were no bridges across the streams and rivers of McDowell County, making transportation very difficult. Furs and ginseng were the chief products of the area, until the Norfolk and Western Railroad opened up the coal fields in 1891. Many immigrants came during the late 1800s and early 1900s to work in the coal mines. When the mines were modernized in the 1980s, many men lost their jobs.
(www.wvcounties.org/counties/mcdowell.html)

During July of 2001 and May of 2002, McDowell County experienced some of the worst flooding in recent memory. Almost immediately the McDowell County Ministerial Association set to work trying to meet needs. From that initial effort, the McDowell County Long Term Flood Recovery Task Force emerged. It continues today to help flood victims recover.
(floodrecovery.150m.com/taskforce.html)

There are Catholic, Pentecostal, and several other churches represented in McDowell County.

Population:
27,329 - McDowell County (2000 census)

Poverty Rate:
37.7% live below the poverty line.
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDowell_County%2C_West_Virginia)

Literacy Rate:
63% - McDowell County
(West Virginia Chamber of Commerce 8/02/02)

Average Annual Income:
$18,592
(quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states 2002)

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