Devastation. Heartbreak. Ruin. Rains flooded the mountainous countryside in Eastern Kentucky, washing away everything–including hope. 

Dozens of counties across the Appalachian terrain fell wrath to the torrential downpours that struck the area in late July. What started off as an unalarming rain shower soon turned into a catastrophic monsoon.

The immediate response for people across Kentucky was to provide relief. Donations and distributions of food, clean water, medicines, and hygiene products were among the first steps to giving the citizens of Eastern Kentucky hope. 

Although seemingly everything else had washed away, one thing remains — a sense of family.

While people in other parts of Kentucky may not have been as impacted as the citizens in the Appalachian regions, we can still reach out a helping hand.

“They deserve support from their community,” says GRC English teacher Eloise Lynch, who is taking a group of students to the area to deliver supplies and lend a helping hand. “The students will see first-hand that everyone must rely on others at some point, and that helping others brings great personal fulfillment.”

Ms. Lynch is working with her Appalachian Literature and MSU Writing classes to spread relief to the people of Eastern Kentucky. Her classes are collecting donations to hand deliver to those who were impacted.

On Sept. 12th, Ms. Lynch and her students will travel to the Christian Appalachian Project mission/aid center in Martin, Kentucky. They will deliver all collected donations and spend the day serving the people in a variety of ways.

“We are asking for donations Winchester citizens are more likely to have on hand, including cleaning supplies, new clothes and shoes, flashlights and batteries, bottled water, and non-perishable food items,” she said. “More supplies are needed for the rebuilding effort, such as tools.”

Along with Lynch’s classes, a new club has felt the call to help out friends who were impacted by the flood.

Junior Kylie Hensley has started “A Life of Giving” which is focused on collecting sanitary supplies to take to her hometown of Jenkins, Kentucky.

“I can accredit a lot of my identity to my hometown,” says Kylie. “I grew up with these people. They deserve to be helped.”

The personal ties have not only impacted Clark County residents, but also many across the nation. Above everything else, that sense of community is what brings us all together.

“The citizens of Winchester inspired me,” says Lynch. “They so often lean enthusiastically into community missions, from festivals to fundraisers to local school events.”

Even amidst this heartbreaking catastrophe, hope has been found both in the Appalachian region and in Winchester.

Reach out a helping hand to those who have been impacted and be ALL IN for Eastern Kentucky.

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Anyone wishing to make monetary donations should use the official Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund.