Fri Jul 30 2010
by Dorothy Markulis
Reporter
Hudson -- Ryan Frew, 18, thought he'd be heading off to college this fall. Instead he will be volunteering at an orphanage in Argentina for six months, if he can come up with the funding.
No stranger to mission work, Frew, a 2009 Walsh Jesuit High School graduate, began going on missions when he was in the seventh grade at Seton Catholic School. Last year Frew went with students from Walsh Jesuit High School to Ecuador for his spring break.
"My eyes were opened on that trip," Frew said. "I lived on $2 a day in a house with no hot water and no air conditioning. I basically lived like I was a native. It makes you realize how much we have in Hudson."
It was then the idea to go on an extended mission trip took root.
"I told my grandmother that I wanted to go into the mission field for a year after I graduated from college," Frew said.
His grandmother, Margaret Frew of Aurora, surprised him by saying, "Don't wait, do it now."
Expecting opposition, he ran the idea past his parents, Shelley and Lance Frew of Hudson, and they said OK.
"We are really going to miss him," said Frew's mother, "but we are very proud of the fact that he is delaying his first year of college.
"He's putting other people's needs ahead of his own wants," she said.
Frew will volunteer with Projects Abroad at an orphanage in Cordoba, Argentina, provided he can come up with $7,435 for living expenses, plus a estimated $1,200 in air fare.
"I've got a paid internship with a tech company in Strongsville this summer and I've sent out letters to friends seeking donations," Frew said.
Frew, who is a member of St. Mary Church, said he has received a lot of support from parishioners but is far short of his goal. He plans to leave Oct. 1 and return April 1, 2010.
After he returns, he plans to go to college.
"I'm thinking I'll study international business, but I have a feeling that might change after Argentina," Frew said.
Applebee's Stow restaurant, 3528 Hudson Drive, will host a fundraiser for Frew July 8 from 4 to 9 p.m. Diners must have a flyer in advance about the mission trip to participate.
For more information on the event, or to contribute to Frew's mission, visit Frew's Web site at www.ryansproject.org. or e-mail him at ryan@ryansproject.org.
E-mail: dmarkulis@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-686-3943
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