KEEDYSVILLE - In January, 16-year-old Joe Clemens traveled to Nicaragua as a missionary for Salem United Methodist Church in Keedysville. He worked mainly with children, fixing things at their school and improving areas where they played.
The soccer goals were improved and Joe helped distribute clothing.
"We even fixed toilets," he said.
On Sunday, Joe was at Taylor Park in Keedysville helping Salem United Methodist parishioners and others raise money to send to Nicaragua in January 2006, when 10 missionaries are scheduled to travel there. The majority of the money will be spent to repair two schools in two Nicaraguan villages. A portion - 25 percent - will be donated to help victims of Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast.
The Martinsburg (W.Va.) Jazz Orchestra and The Jazz Quartet played for the crowd gathered at the park Sunday. Money was raised through auctions and food sales at the event.