Breathitt County Resident Gives Back

Carter Jackson and his family had to act fast once the floods occurred in Breathitt County. “I remember waking up and the water had risen in my neighbor's backyard...I got scared, and 10 minutes later water was inside homes,” said Carter. 

Knowing the situation was alarming, Carter went to check on the town. “They were fleeing people by the bus loads to get out. We had to walk two miles back to get our pets.” Carter’s dad and brother went back to assist with evacuations. At that point, the conditions were dangerous. “We helped disabled neighbors out of their homes,” said Carter. 

Carter’s family returned to their home briefly to assess the damage and clean up. They shared their supply of water with neighbors. In the first several days the family didn’t have electricity, so they stayed with Carter’s grandmother in Lexington. 

Carter learned the Red Cross Emergency Operations Center was being staged in Lexington and decided to help. He volunteered in the kitchen, offering food, snacks, and drinks to the Red Cross workers. We love seeing a friendly face and appreciate Carter’s kindness!  

Learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteer.

Father and Son Deploy and Reunite in Kentucky

By Edgar Zuniga

“I knew it would happen eventually,” said Joe Poplawski, Red Cross New Jersey Region Disaster Program Manager. Joe has deployed about a dozen times over the last couple of years, but it’s the first time he has worked with his dad, also named Joe Poplawski, on a deployment.  

JoPop, left, with his father, Joe Poplawski

The elder Joe, who lives in southwest Florida, has deployed half a dozen times as a Red Cross volunteer, from Texas to California. Son Joe, who goes by JoPop at the Red Cross, credits his parents for his commitment to service. “They were always very charitable. I wanted to keep giving back. I joined the Red Cross and they hired me,” JoPop said.  

It’s truly a family affair. “I’ve tried recruiting my wife because it would be nice if we could deploy together,” the elder Joe said. But JoPop’s wife and kids are Red Crossers, so there are three generations of Poplawskis active in the Red Cross!  

Both JoPop and his dad make it a point to see each other multiple times a year, but seeing each other on this deployment has been special.  JoPop is deployed as the Deputy Assistant Director of Recovery and his father is doing shelter work, including driving our emergency response vehicles in eastern Kentucky. The love and pride between father and son is evident to everyone who interacts with them. It is thanks to Red Crossers like JoPop and his dad that we can respond to disasters when people need it the most.  

Learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org.

Legacy of Volunteerism in Perry County, KY

Honoring his namesake, Brenda Fletcher – granddaughter of Roy G. Eversole – says her grandfather would be so proud to know the elementary school that bears his name was being utilized as an American Red Cross shelter to care for those who were impacted by the recent Kentucky floods. “He was really dedicated to the people of the mountains,” explained Brenda, as she reminisced about her grandfather’s legacy in the community.

Brenda, right, speaks with Red Crosser
Misty Thomas

Roy G. Eversole was the superintendent of Perry County for approximately 25 years, according to Brenda, who said when the elementary school was built the community chose to name the school in honor of their dedicated leader, her grandfather. “He had many opportunities to leave but he would not leave…these were his people and he wanted to take care of them,” stated Brenda as she described his dedication to his volunteerism to Red Cross and how important her grandfather found the work to be for his community.

Brenda said she was not impacted by the flood; however, she shared a startling story of her friend who slept through the flood waters rising and awakened after they had receded, “she thought, oh my goodness, my toilet has overflowed.” Brenda said within a few minutes her friend realized the life-threatening situation she had slept through when she saw the water line on the side of her mattress, “She could have drowned.”

Brenda and her sister at Roy G. Eversole School

Learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer

Red Cross Helped Daniel’s Family, Now He’s Giving Back As Volunteer in Kentucky

By Edgar Zuniga

Daniel Rosado is carrying boxes in and around the kitchen at the Kentucky Floods Disaster Relief Operation Headquarters in Lexington. He has been feeding Red Cross workers for two weeks since the Red Cross began assisting folks affected by the floods in nearby eastern Kentucky. A Red Crosser with an empty stomach can’t focus on helping those in need so Daniel’s service is essential. It’s one of many roles he has undertaken, ranging from working in logistics to driving emergency response vehicles, back home in eastern Pennsylvania and in deployments since 2017.

“Every deployment is different. This is my eighteenth deployment. You develop that traveling family with the Red Cross,” Daniel said. “I get a good feeling from helping others. I was there one time so I know exactly what the feeling is and if I can alleviate that pain from somebody, I’m gonna do my best.”

Daniel knows the feeling because back in 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit his elderly parents who lived in the Rockaways, a coastal area of Queens, in New York City. It was the Red Cross that provided shelter and assistance to his parents during that time. “The Red Cross helped my family out and I made a promise that sometime in the future, when I was able, that I’d give back. I started donating blood at first and then began working with the Red Cross as a volunteer.”

To those who know him, Daniel is a hero who not only installs smoke alarms back home in eastern Pennsylvania, but has been deployed to Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and North Carolina, just to name a few. “My family always tells me ‘thank you so much for what you’re doing. To take time out to help others when they need it and not expect anything back,’” Daniel said. “We come out here as volunteers with no expectation, other than to help somebody out.”

Learn how to become a Red Cross volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer.

Red Cross Volunteer Uses Time in the U.S. to Give Back

Stranded in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Holly Ebdon found herself looking for something to occupy her time when she discovered an opportunity with the American Red Cross.

Holly was visiting the U.S. in February 2020 on vacation when her flight back to England was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Holly’s Visitors Visa expired before she had the chance to return home, so she applied for a Green Card with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services but was told she was not able to work in the U.S. until her Green Card was issued.

As a former teacher in England, Holly looked for ways to use her experience through volunteer teaching opportunities. That’s when she discovered Prepare with Pedro, a Red Cross initiative that teaches Kindergarten – 2nd graders disaster preparedness at an age-appropriate level. Holly says the local Red Cross chapter in the Central and Southern Ohio Region also asked her if she would be interested in becoming a part of the Disaster Action Team (DAT), volunteers who help assist those who are impacted by home fires.

In addition to becoming a DAT volunteer, Holly began deploying to national disasters. Her first response was in September 2020 to Louisiana where she helped the Red Cross provide relief efforts to survivors of Hurricane Laura. Holly says the rest was history, as she continued to deploy to various disasters across the U.S. while awaiting her Green Card – which was finally issued in July 2022.

“I always say to other people who say to me, ‘it’s fantastic what you’re doing’ but I say it’s fantastic what Red Cross has done for me,” said Holly. “I’m so grateful to American Red Cross…they have saved me in so many different ways. I couldn’t get back to England, I couldn’t work, I was literally lost in America, and they have scooped me up and taken me into their arms and I feel so thankful to the Red Cross, I could cry, literally cry.”

Holly served as a staff shelter manager during the recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky. She lives with friends in Ohio; however, she says she is only there approximately 10 weeks out of the year as she stays busy deploying to help with disasters with Red Cross. Holly has a planned trip home to England in late November to see her parents for the first time in almost three years, but says she plans to return to the U.S. and continue working with the Red Cross.

You can learn more about volunteering with the Red Cross at redcross.org/volunteer

Terre Shannon, Red Cross Disaster Health Services Volunteer

An essential part of Red Cross disaster work is the health services team. Terre Shannon is a part of our Disaster Health Services team providing medical necessities to those impacted by floods. Terre began volunteering with Red Cross by accident in 1994.

“There was an earthquake in California. I decided to take a donation to the office. Next thing I know, a TV station has the camera on me and asks how long I’ve been volunteering. I said I don’t think I’m with them- I just came to drop off a check. The Red Cross worker came up and said yes she is- she’s a Red Crosser!” explained Terre. 

Terre assisted residents at the Wolfe County High School Red Cross shelter. She explained she helps with injuries, illnesses, wounds, and medications.

“We get their medications that they lost and connect with the pharmacies to replace them,” said Terre. Multiple shelter residents had experienced cuts, bruising and headaches among other issues. Terre expressed appreciation for the shelter residents, saying “Everybody here has been wonderful. They have gone above and beyond. They jump right in to help each other and that helps the medical team.” 

During the December western Kentucky tornados, Terre was deployed to assist with health services. She remembers one woman she helped who was trapped under rubble. The woman was rescued and had bruises all over her. “I asked her, what can I do for you? And she said, ‘I’d really like a shower’ and I was thinking: how am I going to get her in the shower? I don’t want to further injure her. I held her up in the shower because she couldn’t stand. We both cried and she said, ‘please stay with me don’t go.’ I told her I had to go sleep but I will be back. I came back the next morning and had breakfast with her. She was so thankful someone could be there for her in that moment.” 

Giving back is a natural response for Terre. “I love helping people. Whenever I can help, I can. Because I would want the same for my family,” said Terre.

Learn more about becoming a Red Cross volunteer at redcross.org/volunteer.  

HOPE AACR Brings Joy and Comfort to Eastern Kentucky

First responders are an essential part of disaster recovery. The Red Cross team in Eastern Kentucky has been assisting on the ground to alleviate human suffering. It can be long days that require breaks and stress relief. One way the team decompressed was by partnering with HOPE Animal-Assisted Crisis Response (HOPE AACR). 

“We started this organization in 2001 because we saw a need for it after the search and rescue dogs and therapy dogs helped in 9/11,” said Valerie Wolford, Southeast Co-Regional Manager for HOPE AACR.

Red Cross public affairs team member Marita
with Tovah

The HOPE AACR website explains the assisted intervention as unique: “Teams are screened and trained to respond in more intense emotional and environmental situations…HOPE AACR certified teams are required to go through specialized training such as: crisis intervention skills (emotional first aid), animal behavior and stress management, critical incident stress management, incident command system training, first aid and CPR, and pet first aid, to name a few.”

HOPE AACR dogs and handlers visited Red Cross workers as well as residents in multiple shelters in Eastern Kentucky. Dae Grodin, a volunteer with HOPE AACR, and her dog Tovah have been together for 14 years. They have been a HOPE AACR team for 8 years deploying in crisis response to disasters like recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky. This was a special visit for Dae and Tovah, as Dae rescued Tovah in Pike County located in Eastern Kentucky. “I’m always happy to work with Red Cross,” commented Dae.

Dae and Tovah

Tovah is a 14-year-old German Shepherd mix who is described as very relaxed and loves being around people. The team were able to provide comfort, support, and encouragement across Eastern Kentucky. 

“Tovah came and laid right next to me on the floor. She brought peace, love, and kisses! They brightened our day,” said Brandy Graham,ed Cross worker.

Jennifer Jett-Prezkopp is a Red Cross worker who says Dae and Tovah’s visit came at the perfect time. “As an animal lover, I was so excited to see Tovah the Disaster K-9. I have pets at home I miss, and it warmed my heart to be able to pet and love on an animal for a few minutes in my busy day. Tovah’s presence was very calm and comforting for me…There is something soothing about an animal’s unconditional love, and I’m so glad these pups were made available to the people hurting in Kentucky. I know they put smiles on the faces of a lot of tired people.”

Red Cross partners with many organizations to make our work possible. HOPE AACR is deeply appreciated for the services they provide to the people of Kentucky. To learn more about HOPE AACR, visit https://www.hopeaacr.org/

Breathitt County Woman Finds Joy Amid Tragedy

Joyce Ann Hensley is from Breathitt County where her home was dismantled during the Eastern Kentucky floods. Last week she sought shelter at the Wolfe County High School Red Cross shelter. Joyce Ann reflected on the loss she has experienced, saying “It’s destroyed me. You can’t even walk into my trailer. Everything is muddy.”

Like many of us, Joyce Ann has sentimental items in her home. “I had some Barneys like him (pictured) I wanted to try to get. I would love to get my movies and CD’s back. I have a lot of favorite movies,” she said. Joyce Ann said her family was relieved to learn that she and her husband were alive. Many of the residents in Eastern Kentucky endured power outages which resulted in delays to speak with family.

Joyce Ann is still managing to smile and be kind to others despite what happened to her. “The Red Cross has done good with me,” said Joyce Ann. “They have been very nice to me. This right here, a roof over my head and food to eat.” She also had her prescriptions replaced by our Red Cross Disaster Health Services nurse.

Two weeks after deadly flooding ripped through Kentucky, some 400 trained Red Cross disaster workers continue to work around the clock to provide a safe place to stay, food to eat, critical relief supplies and emotional support for those affected by this tragedy. Visit redcross.org to learn more.

Red Cross Partners with Operation BBQ Relief to Support Kentucky Residents

The American Red Cross has been working around the clock with our partners to provide critical support to help those impacted by flash flooding in Eastern Kentucky. One of those partners is Operation BBQ Relief, a nonprofit organization that helps feed first responders and communities affected by natural disasters.

Partnering with Red Cross to feed those impacted by the Kentucky floods, Operation BBQ Relief – based in Missouri – is a caravan of cooks, mobile pits, kitchens, and volunteers from across the nation. During this relief operation, the kitchen setup in Hazard, KY preparing lunch and dinner seven days a week. Operation BBQ Relief is partnering with Red Cross to utilize emergency response vehicles and volunteers to deliver meals twice daily throughout the mountains of Eastern Kentucky.

Mike Richter,
Operation BBQ Relief

 
Mike Richter, Site Lead and Expedite for Operation BBQ Relief, explained that the pit cooks have early start days and endure intense cooking conditions working with the tilt skillets that are at boiling temperatures, hours of opening cans, and double the workload as they prepare two meals daily. Mike says he depends on the Red Cross to obtain the numbers of meals needed and then it’s his job to process the orders through the pickup line, where he says he ensures the Red Cross volunteers have what they need to serve the impacted communities.

Mike says Operation BBQ Relief has approximately 21 volunteers working in Kentucky to ensure they fulfill their mission, “We feed the people, that’s what we’re here to do.”

Learn more about Operation BBQ Relief's mission here.

Bluegrass Area Chapter Red Cross Volunteer Helps Residents in Floyd County

 

Volunteers from across the country and here in the Kentucky Region are on the ground in Eastern Kentucky, helping to provide a safe place to stay, food to eat, critical relief supplies and emotional support for those affected by flash flooding. David Silver, a volunteer from the Bluegrass Area Chapter in the Kentucky Region, is one of the hundreds of trained Red Cross disaster workers offering support.

David began volunteering with the Red Cross in 1960 as a training instructor. He taught courses on swimming, canoeing, sailing and first aid. Professionally, David was a firefighter for 23 years in Philadelphia. He and his wife then moved to Richmond, Kentucky where he was a teacher at Madison Central High School for 18 years.

“I started deploying to disasters about 8 or 9 years ago,” said David. After flooding impacted Eastern Kentucky, David worked as the shelter manager for the Floyd County Community Center, helping families. “In 2 days, we were able to help about 460 families get supplies.”

David expressed astonishment for the affection shown at the shelter, saying “The people here are taking care of each other. I just can’t believe it. It’s the community coming together.” 

In his years of deployment, he expressed that this one just felt different: “It’s all family here. And the family sticks together.”

A true Red Cross veteran, David has done Disaster Action Team (DAT) work as well. He has seen devastation up close, and he knows it’s his job to help.

“It’s what you do as a human being,” said David. He’s an empathetic person by nature, also serving on the bereavement committee at his church. “I tell people: Things happen. What happened to you was bad. But you are going to survive. You are going to make it.”

Our hearts go out to all families impacted by the eastern Kentucky floods. If you are interested in volunteering with the Red Cross, go to redcross.org/volunteer.

Breathitt County Resident Recounts Multiple Water Rescues During Flooding

Phyllis Bush (left) speaks with Red Crosser Misty Thomas

Phyllis and her husband were rescued twice by boats within a few hours from the Breathitt County area as flood waters rose and forced the couple from their home. Phyllis said her husband was sitting in the vehicle keeping an eye on water levels when he dozed off briefly and awoke to water levels unsafe to drive through.

Phyllis said they were standing in their home in knee deep water when they were rescued by boat. They were transported to an intersection where her son-in-law and daughter picked them up to have them stay at their home; however, a second boat rescue occurred a few hours later when flood waters rose quickly, forcing the entire family from their daughter’s home.

The boat rescue squads transported them to a bus headed to the Wolfe County High School Red Cross Shelter. Phyllis said, “…we checked in with Red Cross and from there we’ve just been cared for like babies, every little bit, The [Red Cross] come by and check on us.” The Red Cross provided Phyllis and her family shelter and food, as well as helped replace some healthcare items which were left behind when they had to evacuate.
 

If you were impacted by recent flash flooding and need Red Cross assistance, please call 1-800 RED CROSS.

Wolfe County Residents Find Red Cross Assistance after Flooding

Yolanda Haynes and her boyfriend have been through a tragic time in the past few weeks. They were in a car accident while in Alabama. Once they made it home, the floods hit eastern Kentucky. “It’s devastating. The water went up to the ceiling and over our roof,” said Yolanda.

The couple sought refuge at the Wolfe County High School Red Cross shelter. “It’s been pretty good staying here. The Red Cross replaced my diabetic insulin and pills. I appreciate that,” said Yolanda. She commented on the impact the storm had on the area. “I’ve seen hurricanes roll through but never experienced flooding like this.”

Yolanda expressed that she knows she will be heartbroken when it’s time to go back and see the damage. “The trailer is off the base and the kitchen is on the ground. The rest of the house is twisted. Nobody could ever live there again. As far as we know, we are unable to save anything.” Yolanda was reserved and questioned whether her story was important to share, but we let her know this will inspire others to not give up. “I’m just grateful for what I do have.”

These stories are incredibly hard to share, and our hearts go out to the individuals impacted by the floods. We have Disaster Mental Health (DMH) teams ready to provide professional counseling to anyone affected. If you need to contact a DMH worker, call 1-800-RED-CROSS.