The Dallas Post Sunday, October 26, 2003 Honduras (continued from page 1) 1997, and returns each year to build schools, clinics, and do whatever is needed to help fam- ilies deal with the poverty and illness that pervade the coun- tryside. The first group was ad- mittedly naive. “We said, ‘Hey, why not try an excursion,’ » said Prokopchak. “We packed win- ter camping gear. We figured wed be in the mountains, right? When we got there we took 40 orphans on a bus to the Burger King in the San Pedro Sula, but many kids became sick because their stomachs were. not used to eating much more than a cup of rice.” Also along for that trip were Jim Davenport, Ed Thomas, Joe Latona, Mark and Matt Pet- lock. Despite setbacks like that, the yearly visits and projects continued and the grassroots project has become known in Northeastern Pennsylvania as “Operation Honduras.” So what could Audrey Simp- son from Shavertown do? Any- thing and everything. “I'd give the kids a hug, bring the men water. They can’t say the name Audrey so they call me ‘Sim- mme-sone.’ ” The children send her wish lists — letters asking for chil- dren's clothing, underwear, shoes, toilet paper, and medi- cine. “I know they don’t have pillowcases, so this year I'm asking everyone for donations of pillowcases. I'm putting a drop-off box for clothing in the food stores,” she said. Simpson can be found scrounging for good pieces of children’s clothing at local rum- mage sales and church clothes closets. She packs all clothing donations into 70 1b. duffle bags that are taken on the planes as luggage. “I got lucky today, someone donated a stur- dy duffle bag,” she said. Simp- son visited Honduras in 1999, 2000, and 2001 and hopes to re- turn this February. The whole project is the brainchild of Jim Davenport, who, having been in the Peace Corps in Africa, was inspired to “It beats just giving a check.” Jim Davenport Operation Honduras volunteer help the poor in a more person- al way. “It beats just giving a check,” he said. “The people there can see the hard work and sacrifice directly; and, to some, we are seen as ‘gifts from God.”” That is the case for a woman whose child can now hear be- cause 212 (Starkey Foundation supplied) hearing aids were tested and installed in 2003. “One child just ran around yelling and screaming because it had never heard its own voice before and was so excit- ed,” said Prokopchak. Hearing loss is common among children in Honduras because ear infec- tions go untreated. Prokopchak said the project purchases all materials needed from local sources in Honduras and that local Spanish-speaking citizens provide transportation, drivers, and discounts, which help the volunteers complete their projects in a week or two. A scouting crew left this Oc- tober 23 to determine the proj- ects for next February's trip. Al- ready planned are dental sur- gery, audiological exams, an oral surgery unit, and perhaps a solar powered refrigerator to store insulin and drugs needing refrigeration. The funding for these materi- als has come from various northeastern Pennsylvania groups including Rotarians, girl scout and brownie troops, Catholic and Presbyterian churches, foundations and pri- vate individuals. One contrac- tor donated $5,000 after in- stalling a ceramic floor, win- dows and wood trim to an up- scale investment property, say- ing, “Just give my labor fee to the kids.” Says Jim Davenport of this organization, “Every donated penny is exactly accounted for by a local church, but we are very non-denominational.” On their last trip to Honduras, volunteers began construction on a new school. Ei iii OL. il To find out more about Operation Honduras, visit www.geocities.com/operhon- duras or send an e-mail to ophonduras @aol.com. All of the planned projects and trips have been successful. “We've never had a bad project, all of our talents and resources are fully utilized,” said Daven- port. “For a person to consider coming with us age or skill lev- el should not be a concern. The volunteers are aged 13 through 73. We'll teach you what we need you to do.” Eric Martin, Shavertown, notes that in 2001 Dallas teach- ers John Johnson and Jack Roberts came along “and basi- cally did the manual labor, hauling block after block in wheelbarrows to the construc- tion site.” “It was enormous work. We worked from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in 100 degree heat laying floors, putting in ceiling tile, and all the jobs circulated so that everyone did a little of everything and then wed col- lapse into the pool at the ho- tel CARPE VINGS! Beautiful BERBERS SUTTON Anything Goes * In Stock Styles Garpet Studio * No Mat - No Crush *10 Year Guaranteed From ne 099 per sq yd 20r Garpet Mills Audrey Simpson scoured the tables at a recent rummage sale, looking for items to bring to Honduras in February. POST PHOTO/CHARLOTEE BARTIZEK Harveys Lake @ (continued from page 1) n’t live alone. “Who is he to tell me that?” inquired Bid- good, “He’s only a public ser- vant.” Council President West responded. “The only way we can act on a police officer coming to your home is if you put it in writ- ing,” she said. West said council would ad- dress the situation with the po- lice department and the mayor. Arlene Suleski of poles 201 and 202 said a neighbor on the corner of May Avenue continu- ously burns unusual items at his home, causing noxious fumes and smoke. She said she has reported him six to eight times, and he was cited twice. “To give you an idea of what he burns, at one point he was burning a couch, with all the chemicals that contains, oe and center in his yard,” Sules said. She said a large amount of smoke is generated which fills her home and prevents her from being able to sit on her dock and swim. Suleski said the same neigh- bor has now built an incinera- tor in his garage and is burning continuously. “He burns for hours, six to 10 hours.” She said when she “really got up in arms about it” she kept a log of how often he would burn. “He burned for 13 days straight after Sept. 5. This is not normal trash from your home.” “It’s got to stop.” West said council would ad- dress the problem. In other business, part-time officer Scott Lameroux re- signed. West said the Borough secretary would advertise to fill the position immediately. The change leaves the Harveys Lake Police Department with four part-time officers, the chief of police and one patrol- man. The department lost full- time officer Mark Karlonis when he passed away unex- pectedly over the summer. Council has not made a deci- sion yet about whether or not to fill that positien, said West. 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