Amy Duke and her husband Colin have their hands full this week supervising nine youth from Northridge Christian Church as they and representatives from seven other Georgia churches gather to assist Central Georgia residents with their daily needs.

The First United Methodist Church of Milledgeville is playing host to the 2009 River of Life program, where church youth and adults assist individuals and families with household chores and the creation or repair of roofs, wheelchair ramps and miscellaneous yard work duties.

This year, Rome, Hartwell, Jones Chapel in Danielsville, Warner Robins, Hopewell and Greensboro First United Methodist Churches and Milledgeville’s Northridge Christian Church are participating in the program.

“We’re very excited. I think the kids will learn about participating in their community and serving in their community,” Amy Duke said from inside the Georgia College & State University Foundation Hall dormitory, where participants will be housed this year.

This year there will be projects in Sandersville, Milledgeville, Sparta, Hardwick and Eatonton, though most of the River of Life projects will take place locally, according to Milledgeville FUMC member Mary Sirmans, who is helping to coordinate the River of Life 2009 event.

“We will work in the community Thursday through Saturday and worship each night at the church, 366 Log Cabin Road. Several churches in the community are also hosting dinner for us at night — St. Stephens, Northridge Christian and Pathfinders Christian,” Sirmans stated.

Casey Wood is with the First United Methodist Church in Milledgeville, and as a local resident and church member, has seen the impact the River of Life program can leave on her community.

“It’s going to go good, and I’m very excited,” Wood said shortly after checking in for registration Wednesday evening. “River of Life is my favorite program with the church. This is my fourth or fifth year in the program. I started in fifth grade and now I’m in ninth.”

Diane Deariso has the lucky job of being the housing coordinator for this year’s program and stayed busy Wednesday ensuring that each and every person knew his or her room number and that all those participating were made comfortable and prepared for what the groups will face starting today.

“We have three floors in Foundation Hall, and around 170 youth here,” Deariso explained. “It’s just us staying here, and in the past we’ve had other guests staying at the Days Inn where we have been before, so we’ve had to be considerate about that. The college has been fabulous. We’re all here in one spot, which makes it easier to coordinate when we’re all in one place. There’s also a lot more space here, especially for recreational purposes in the afternoons.”

Deariso had a little help from some students from the University of Georgia, who pointed people in the right direction for registration and rooming.

“We’re a team from UGA Wesley Foundation, which is a traveling youth ministry team,” team member Payton MCarthy explained. “We’ve been doing different ministry events from all over the state. Some of the places we’ve been helping and others we have been overseeing the events. We’re just hanging out with the kids and building a relationship with them. We just did a River of Life program in Ringold.”

Natalie Owen with FUMC Milledgeville may not have to travel to Ringold, but she still knows the importance of keeping the kids happy and providing whatever resources are necessary to ensure local residents live a better life and have a happier day courtesy of the River of Life program.

“I’m dropping kids off today and cooking for them tonight,” Owen said Wednesday. “We’ll probably feed about 200 or more. Hot dogs and hamburgers are on the menu tonight,” Owen joked. “This program brings kids together and they learn the value of helping others and fellowship.”

Cole Brener, 17, is with Hopewell Methodist Church in Milledgeville and is among the participants in this year’s River of Life program.