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The people living in the Lewis-Clark Valley are no strangers to good works. When folks are in trouble, their neighbors are quick to step in, whether it’s with money, food or service. However, once in a while even the good folks in the valley need some help, and on Thursday, July 9th, our corner of the world will have some of our nation’s finest lending a helping hand.

That’s when a group of AmeriCorps NCCC members (National Civilian Community Corps) will convene in Lewiston; and when they leave community gardens will have been pruned, weeds pulled, and if everything goes accordingly, a little good cheer enjoyed by residents and volunteers.

AmeriCorps NCCC is a national service organization for people ages 18-24. AmeriCorps members are assigned to one of five campuses (Denver, Sacramento, Baltimore, Vicksburg, Ms., and Vinton, Iowa), and they travel as an assigned group to various communities in their region to help with projects. The group visiting Lewiston is from the Sacramento campus.

NCCC members work on teams with 8-12 members and receive a living allowance of approximately $4,000 for 10 months of service. They also become eligible for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award if they successfully complete their program. This award can go toward student loans, college tuition or other educational costs.

The program is modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s and the US military. It was built on the belief that civic responsibility, according to their website, “is an inherent duty of all citizens and that national service programs work effectively with local communities to address pressing needs.”

Currently, nine NCCC members are serving in the Palouse area and on Thursday they will be in Lewiston to help Backyard Harvest, the LCSC Learning Garden, and Asotin Food Bank.

Backyard Harvest and LC Service Corps are coordinating this day of service and a special gathering in the evening at Hells Gate State Park. From 5-7pm, the NCCC volunteers will be at Hells Gate State Park swimming area for a potluck picnic. AmeriCorps members and alums, former Peace Corps members and anyone interested in learning more about these programs or wishing to thank volunteers for their service are welcome to stop by and visit.