Last week CCF Donor Services Manager Barbara Garner saw the need in Kentucky and took action. Here's what she experienced in her words:

Last weekend, I traveled with my sons, Matthew, and Patrick, to Floyd County, Kentucky to help those so devastatingly affected by the recent, historic flooding. We had seen the news footage and photos but were not prepared for the aftermath (and a LOT of clean up had already happened).

Eastern Kentucky is in the heart of Appalachia where life is already difficult for so many. Yet, I hesitate to use the word victim because the people we met and helped did not have a victim mindset. They are survivors and they will get past this although it’s going to take a long, long time.

(Above: Matthew and Barbara Garner)

While we were there, we helped to demo homes – removing the ruined drywall, soaked carpet and warped hardwoods from homes built decades ago. We cleaned out pantries of rotten food, tossing out jars of just-canned tomatoes that had been standing in water. We found ourselves throwing out a lifetime of someone else’s possessions while they were telling us, "It’s okay. I’m alive, my family is alive, and we have a foundation to build on. That’s more than so many others can say."

The area is still very much in need of volunteers to help with clean up, demo, and eventually rebuilding. Our family volunteered through Samaritan’s Purse. They housed us, fed us and provided the tools we needed to assist homeowners. This experience was life-changing. We left with a new perspective of what is important, what community looks like amid devastation (folks came from all over the country to lend a hand!) and how precious life is.

ServComm (formerly known as the Community Incident Response Team) here in Cobb County is one of those agencies crossing state lines to provide support.

The mission of ServeComm (formerly known as the Community Incident Response Foundation) is to respond to communities who are facing crisis by facilitating people helping people to offer a hand up to make communities whole again. They go where needed and this month they have been in Kentucky.

A message from their social media:

"Truck is loaded to the max with supplies for The Kentucky Floods. Just enough room for me to drive. I will be leaving at 4 am Monday and returning Monday Night. So grateful to Aegis Insurance, Abatix, Hennsler Financial, The City of Kennesaw Community, Landmark Environmental and Demolition, Crane Elder Law Firm and so many more. I am the face of our Foundation but by no means do I do this work alone."

Their team has made additional trips with their laundry truck, as well to allow volunteers and families to have clean clothes.

The people of Kentucky could use your help. If you would like to make contributions to ongoing cleanup efforts, we have included below a list of organizations we recommend. Donations may be made directly to these organizations, or through donor advised funds at CCF.

ServComm (formerly Community Incident Response Team Foundation)

Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky

Samaritan's Purse Responding to Eastern Kentucky Floods

Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund