Out-of-state teenagers helping Vermilion Parish

DELCAMBRE - Kara Lilie and Sinead McCourt are two of a group of teenagers from different parts of the United States who are in Vermilion Parish this week helping families who need help around their homes.

The teens belong to a national organization called “Young Neighbors in Action.”

Lilie and McCourt, both 17, are with a handful of teenagers from the Austin, Texas area who drove to Vermilion Parish on Monday.

All this week their church group is painting the home of Rela Theriot in Delcambre and then sleeping on cots in the old E. Broussard High School in Cow Island.

While most teens in the parish were trying to escape the 90 degree weather by staying inside, Lilie and McCourt were on ladders brushing white paint on a 50-year-old wooden house.

Not once did they complain about the heat or hard work. They are actually enjoying it because of the reward they get once the job is done.

“I look forward to it,” said Lilie.

The organization furnishes the paint brushes and equipment, while the homeowner supplies the paint.

Lilie and McCourt are no strangers to going off to help someone for a week during the summer. They have been doing it for the last three summers.

“It is a good feeling that we are helping people who need help,” said McCourt. “Even though it is hard work, it is rewarding after it is done because you get to see what have you did.”

Lilie comes from a big family and is used to working hard. By volunteering, she is able to share her love of working with others.

“This way I can spread it out other than to my community,” Lilie said. “When you are given the opportunity to help out others, you need to take it and share your abilities and spread it out.”

The two girls and their friends have volunteered in other states the last two years but they have never received “southern hospitality” like they are getting in Delcambre while working on Rela Theriot’s home.

Theriot has fed the small group of eight each day for lunch. They have eaten shrimp with rice and gravy on Monday, shrimp fettucini Tuesday and on Wednesday they ate gumbo.

Theriot also supplied the drinks for them throughout the day.

“What she has done is completely unexpected,” said McCourt.

“The past two years we had to bring a lunch,” said Lilie. “This year she cooked. This is great southern hospitality.”