Kentucky Floods Take a Heavy Toll The heavy thunderstorms that pounded Eastern Kentucky during the last week of July created severe flash floods resulting in catastrophic damage and loss of life. It is estimated that a record 14-16 inches of rain fell during a 5-day period with devastating results to this area. The death toll has reached 37 with hundreds still missing, and the high number of families displaced has not yet been determined. In an area that already struggles with a high poverty level, the conditions are daunting. This email is being sent to you to share some stories about the needs, who is helping, and how you can make a difference.

CCF Team Mission Moment

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.

Cobb's Community Incident Response Team

The Community Incident Response Team here in Cobb County is one of those agencies crossing state lines to provide support. The mission of 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.

How You Can Make A Difference

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. Community Incident Response Team Foundation Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky Samaritan's Purse Responding to Eastern Kentucky Floods Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund

Right: This is the team that Barbara and her sons joined, one of the many Samaritan’s Purse volunteer teams.

LET'S CONNECT

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