CMO is a faith based, non-profit, (501/c3)organization for children at risk in impoverished counties in the Appalachian Region. CMO was founded by Bruce and Cindy Feller in 2000 as a Kid’s Day Camp and a work camp to help low-income families meet basic home repair needs. In 2002 CMO became a recognized year-round mission station that provides support for low-income families in the form of food, clothing, household items, home repairs, Kid’s Day Camp, and holiday gifts.
CMO is located two hours southeast of Lexington, Kentucky, in the beautiful Daniel Boone National Forest, just 20 miles south of the Natural Bridge State Park, and the must-see Red River Gorge.
It’s hard to believe that such poverty can flourish in such beauty.
Volunteer Mission Opportunities
-Groups
-Families
-Couples
-Individuals
-Home Repair and Home Building
In poverty situations the children often suffer the most. Our experience is that a safe home can change a child’s life. A safe home contributes to a positive outlook, better sleep, and thus better concentration in school. Every year CMO repairs 15 to 20 homes for families with children in need.
Kid’s Camp
CMO offers Kid’s Camp (a VBS-style program) as many weeks in the summer as we have church groups willing to come and teach. One of the CMO programs offers leadership training for teens to be volunteer day camp counselors and then the teen counselors are instrumental in planning and leading the camp.
Distance Donations
We have had church groups bring a bus load of clothing and food donations and we’ve traveled the ridges with them to do distributions. We receive donations locally and nationally to assist with this important ministry. Volunteers that come to CMO assist with clothing and food distribution.
General Ministry Opportunities
There are always needed projects going on at CMO. Volunteers who come here help us with equipment maintenance, help with our website and publicity, man a fundraising and ministry booth at local festivals, or do general housekeeping duties around CMO.
Your Ministry Ideas -- Your Mission Can Become Our Mission
CMO has worked with several ministry ideas brought in by participants. One of our first years a teacher from Ohio wanted to do tutoring with low income students. We set up our van with a computer and Cindy and the volunteer went on the ridge to do math and reading with students, and let them try computer programs. The teen leadership we’ve done was an idea brought in from a group from Minnesota, and over three years they trained many Kentucky teens in leadership skills as volunteer camp counselors.
To participate in a mission opportunity with Cumberland Mountain Outreach contact Cindy Fellerat 606-464-8134, fellerc@bellsouth.net or fill out the appropriate group and individual applications and send it to 103 E. 3rd. St.Beattyville KY. 41311