Church helps flood victims in Kentucky

Aug. 16—The serious flood damage in Eastern Kentucky leaving people homeless and in need has prompted a local church to try and help.

Members of Christian Faith Ministries Inc., located in Sanford, recently loaded up a U-Haul truck with everything a person displaced by a natural disaster could need. Beginning on July 24 heavy rains, lasting a week, caused severe flash flooding in several states including Eastern Kentucky.

The flood destroyed homes, left people without adequate food and water and there were numerous fatalities due to the flood.

That's when members of the church including the church's assistant pastor, Casey Potter, sprung into action to try and help. They left Aug. 12 and drove over five hours to Fleming-Neon Kentucky to drop off what they had collected.

They plan to do it again.

"It was a success," Potter said about the first trip. "We got there without any trouble. We got them (donations) to the distribution center and everything went pretty well."

Along with trying to help those in need there, Potter has a deep connection to the area. He and his wife, Alfreda, grew up in Fleming-Neon.

"We went through elementary and high school there," he said. "In high school she was a cheerleader and I played on the football team."

Now the high school's football field he used to play on is flooded.

"The water was touching the bottom of the scoreboard," he said. "You can imagine how many of the homes in that area were completely underwater."

"My niece lost everything she owns," he added. "Just a shell of her house was left. Several cousins of mine lost their vehicles and four wheelers. Several friends I went to high school with were directly affected by the flood."

But he also saw a community coming together

"They are doing the very best they can," he said. "They are not giving up and they still have a strong spirit. The ones that lost everything are helping others, who got less damage, clean up their homes."

Despite their efforts there is still a need for help.

Before Potter and another volunteer made the trip last Friday, members of the church and volunteers talked about the impact they were trying to make.

James Brown, an elder at the church, helped load the truck with the help of 16 year-old Andy Montoya

Brown said it makes him feel good to help people in need and when he found out they were packing things up for the trip he came to the church.

Montoya said he came for the same reason.

"I actually wanted to come out and help," he said. "It makes me feel good to know that I'm helping people out."

Mariah Amatucci, 11, said she knows people from that area and wants to help them and others.

"I feel like I'm helping my family," she said. "I have a whole lot of family in Kentucky. When I help them it makes me feel really good inside."

He said despite their first effort there still is a need in that area. He plans to go back to Kentucky again in about two weeks with more supplies.

He said if people want to make donations the people there need the basics like: toothpaste, toothbrushes, toiletries, all sizes of clothes, air mattresses, towels, wash cloths, clothes and shoes of all sizes, blankets and nonperishable food items.

He added they definitely need cleaning supplies to deal with the mold. He said at the collection center they run out of cleaning supplies very quickly.

In the future Potter plans to make another trip to bring furniture for those whose furniture was destroyed due to the flood.

Meanwhile, Potter's wife, looking at what they collected for the first trip, believes they're off to a good start toward making a difference.

"I'm so glad everybody has hearts to donate to somebody they have never met," she said. "This is what God does. He touches people's hearts."

For more information go to the church's Facebook page or call Casey Porter at 919-410-2188. Checks can be made out to the church by writing "Kentucky disaster relief effort" in the "Memo" line of the check. Christian Faith Ministries Inc. is located at 3110 Cameron Drive.