ABOUT US! 

Friends of Appalachia, Inc. (FOA) is a Trumbull, Connecticut based Public Charity 501(c)(3), and is registered with the State of Connecticut. FOA is a community organization, open to all, which strives to educate and sensitize youth and adult volunteers to address the needs of the impoverished people in Central Appalachia.

​FOA's 2023 Board Members
 Lisa Peters - President, T-Shirt/GiveAways Coordinator 
Avery Peters - Vice-President, Communications Coordinator, Center Director, Trip Coordinator
Vera Dosky - Treasurer 
Kyle Peters - Secretary, Construction Training Coordinator, Trip Floater
Paul Angelucci - Devo Co-Coordinator, Trip Coordinator
Katie Boland - Community Outreach Coordinator, Trip Coordinator, THS Liaison
Chris Capobianco - Coffee/Candy Coordinator, Construction Training
John Dosky - Parent Liaison, Trip Coordinator 
Wynn Haslam - High School Student Liaison
Jillian Lewis - College Liaison
Kent Lewis - Parent Liaison, TCC Liaison, Trip/Vehicle Coordinator 
Zach Parente - High School Student Liaison
Nolan Shay - College Liaison
Nicole Trommelen - Community Outreach, THS Liaison 
​ 
In the years since, FOA has participated in ASP each summer. Our participation and amount of money committed to the region is growing steadily. 
FOA Towns/States/Counties we have served
2010 - Butler, TN - Carter County   
2011 - Chapmanville, WV - Logan County
2012 - Jackson, KY - Breathitt County  
2013 - Boone, NC, - Watauga County
2014 - Whiteburg, KY - Letcher County
​2015 - Newport, TN - Cocke County
2016 - Huff Creek, WV, - Wyoming County
2017 - Evarts, KY - Harlan County
​2018 - Clay, WV - Clay County
​2019-  Johnson City, TN - Washington Country
​2022- Floyd, KY - Floyd County
2023 - Rupert, WV - Greenbrier County
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                                          FOA2022Trip Volunteer Reflection ​ & Thank You - 
Now that we're all home safe and sound, I want to take a moment to say thank you.

To all the donors that made it possible over the years, Thank you, thank you, thank you. No matter the amount, YOU helped us make homes warmer, safer, drier.

With your exceptional donations, we were able to buy a stove and microwave for a family that couldn't afford to get theirs replaced AND we even ended up leaving behind an extra $3500 behind so @appservproject can continue to serve those in need in Central Appalachia and the citizens of Floyd County, Kentucky

Volunteers, all 34 of you from all over CT and beyond came together for a week to not only help others, but to maybe help yourself. Just like my first trip back in 2006. I didn't really know why I wanted to go on this trip but something kept pushing me to go and you know what. It literally changed my life.

Still to this day, after 15 trips (17 years technically with Covid) and dedicating what spare time I had to help create an organization that someday another freshman in high school can have the same feeling as I did after my first trip and will want to continue this and maybe take over my spot someday...well....maybe...

This might be the end of this years trip but its not the end of your volunteering career. You are now apart of this family for LIFE. Be proud to wear this shirt every time you put it on and to always remember those families you worked for and the hope you give them.

I can still remember every family I worked for and how much they helped me just as much as I helped them. Our family got a little bigger this year and it brings great joy knowing this isn't the end, but the start of something new.

"13 years of moving mountains
13 years of serving with love
13 years of changing lives
Where ever we go, we are Friends of Appalachia."

Love, Kyle Peters 
P.S. Anyone else already ready to go back?? I am. 


In the fall of 2009, A group of committed and experienced individuals came together to form an independent 501(c)(3) with a simple purpose: to Help. Build. Hope. in Central Appalachia. This organization would enable us to work unrestricted for the people of Central Appalachia. Our single largest initiative was the ASP trip that many of us had made in the past, as well as some new initiatives to focus on more year-round help for this impoverished region. 
 FOA's 2009 Founding Board Members  
Anna Henry, President                                 John Dosky, Vice President
Lisa Peters, Treasurer                                  Val Collison, Secretary
Doug Doyle                                                     Sandy Fraser
Joe Henry                                                        John Henry
Sean Jackson                                                  John Nigro