Help on the fly-in: Church project at airport aims to provide aid, comfort

Lee Ward, The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky.
Updated ·2 min read

Oct. 24—WORTHINGTON — A local church's project at the Ashland Airport is helping to make travelers feel welcome, as well as feel better.

Melrose Methodist Church in Worthington has put together a help-yourself service similar to the Blessing Boxes of non-perishable food, but this new project at the airport offers items like snacks, ear plugs, headache medication, antacids, gum, motion sickness medication and reading material, including Christian literature. There's even a refrigerator with bottled water.

"A lot of people come in that airport," Stacy Keelin, church member who is heading up the project, said. "Some are traveling through, some might be refueling or the weather's bad, somebody's sick. There are no real amenities there because it's a small airport and we wanted to offer water and snacks and anything they might need."

A lighted sign reading "You Are Welcome" will mark the spot while sending a message of hospitality. She said it also is an answer for those who feel grateful for the free items they found upon arrival.

Keelin said she's aiming for the area to be ready by Thursday, the day Sandy's Racing and Gaming will open in Cannonsburg, which is part of the inspiration for the welcome program.

But there's another possible exciting development: Gov. Andy Beshear is due in the area for the opening of Sandy's and Keelin is preparing a welcome basket for him. She said it's not known if he will fly into the airport.

So far, she's had contributions of local honey from a beekeeper, a book by a local author and a cutting board made by a pilot/craftsman.

"Over time, the airport is going to get more visitors," she said. "I hope this will spread like the Blessing Box or the Little Library or similar movements." She said the motto is "Grab and Go If You Need To; Pay it Forward If You Like."

Keelin said local residents are encouraged to donate, too, giving the program "added flavor" and helping the program to become self-sustaining.

Keelin said she spoke to her church and then approached Danny Brown of the Ashland Regional Pilots Association before working to make it happen.

"It is a small church, but has supported this Christian outreach in every way possible," she said. "They have put their heart into it in numerous ways and I am so very grateful for them. They are the ones that have sparked the widening enthusiasm."

(606) 326-2661 — lward@dailyindependent.com