How did you spend your summer vacation? Anthony Kirks lights up when he explains his busy days.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” the 18-year-old Kirks said without hesitation. “It was the greatest experience ever.”

Kirks wasn’t about to stay loose and lazy, watching misspent days go by before beginning classes at Green River Community College this fall. He had a job, but it wasn’t fulfilling. When his church’s youth group contacted him, he decided to leave that job and get in line to help.

He soon found himself going door to door, delivering backpacks of donated school supplies to needy children of impoverished families in south Auburn.

Such an experience can reduce a boy to tears. Instead, Kirks grew up beyond his years.

“To see the children, the families. They were just in awe of what we were doing,” Kirks said. “It was amazing. It was more rewarding than any paycheck.”

Kirks wasn’t alone. He joined several other youths from Victory Fellowship in a week’s worth of outreach efforts to Auburn-area families.

Their efforts were kind, noble, inspiring - a gesture to help struggling families.

Such is the vision and mission of the South Sound Dream Center (SSDC), a non-profit Christian outreach organization based in Federal Way.

Such was the means behind the ways last week in Auburn.

Church-supported youths, including those kids from Victory Fellowship, collaborated with the center’s executive director, Rick Cameron, and his staff to conduct the work.

In addition to delivering school supplies, the group stuffed 200 bags of groceries and delivered them to low-income families. Costco, Panera, Safeway, Metropolitan Market and the Grocery Outlet, among others, made it possible with donations.

They provided lunches for the homeless. They gave away $10 gas vouchers to the first 90 customers and washed cars for free at a Shell Station off Auburn Way South.

The youth group also did yard work and house chores for the blind. They weeded Lea Hill Park and private residences.

“We were having too much fun,” said Cameron, who co-founded SSDC with Roy Andresen. “This was a way of giving something back to the community.”

Spreading the gospel within the confines of a church is one thing, but physically applying what is preached is something entirely different. The group was eager to act.

“You can listen to sermons all day long, or you can take what you’ve learned and go out and do something,” Cameron said.

The SSDC has played a part in changing lives and helping the community.

Cherish McAbee was one of those who had lost her way. Growing up in a dysfunctional family in Auburn, she became a methamphetamine addict who nearly lost her two kids and her life.

On Christmas Eve 2004, she was arrested after a high-speed chase on Highway 18. Strung out on meth, she was clocked doing 118 mph.

“I crashed, but by the grace of God, I only had a scratch,” she said.

Instead of being home with her daughter that night, McAbee was out stealing Christmas trees.

She spent six months in jail.

Penniless, McAbee faced the likelihood of losing her two kids to Child Protective Services. With the help of her sister, however, she found hope and some answers. She eventually discovered SSDC, and joined as a volunteer before eventually working her way into a full-time position.

Today, she is an office administrator and a field leader who works with youth outreach. She is wiser, healthier, energetic and thankful for her second chance.

Her family also has turned the corner.

McAbee returned to her old stomping grounds last week to help others find their way.

“I have my own life again,” said McAbee, 23. “I still know others in this community who are still on drugs, homeless. But I’m here to share my story and give them hope that if I can do it, anybody can.”

Mark Klaas can be reached at 253-833-0218, ext. 5050, or mklaas@reporternewspapers.com

Contact Auburn Reporter Editor Mark Klaas at mklaas@auburn-reporter.com or 253-833-0218, ext. 5050.

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