NO WORDS

BY TINA V. BRYSON

While stories about natural disaster victims fade quickly from the news cycle when something else comes along, that doesn’t mean people have recovered and no longer need assistance. A drive through Eastern Kentucky’s hard-hit areas will show it still bears the signs of the tragedy that came so quickly and left devastation behind: debris strewn for miles against chain-link fences, cars still sitting in creek beds or along the side of the road, clothes, papers, and other personal belongings caught in the limbs of trees and bushes. Volunteers and donors continue to support efforts to help families in need during recovery.

Some of Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) corporate partners, like Traditional Bank, responded to the need just as many supporters did — by providing financial donations that could meet the most urgent needs. The bank generously provided a matching financial gift of nearly $134,000. Then they went a step further by sending 34 employees to repair homes damaged by flooding.

“Partnerships, like the one we have with Traditional Bank, show the true power of community. In times of crisis, the light shines through,” said Bryce Dexter, CAP’s Corporate Relations coordinator. “Traditional Bank, and all of our partners who gave to meet emergency needs, was that light for so many in Appalachia who were only seeing darkness.”

John Reynolds, a consumer and small business manager at Traditional Bank, had the opportunity to work on two different jobsites. “It has been very eye opening, seeing all of the devastation — even months after the flooding, there is still so much devastation and so many people are still in need,” Reynolds said. “Community service is very important to Traditional Bank. Not only do we like to work hard in the bank, but we like to be in the community to help as much as we possibly can.”

Reynolds and other employees are grateful that their employer supports community initiatives financially and provides opportunities to serve. “I am so glad we’ve got people out here helping, I don’t know that I have the words to express truly how it feels. We get as much out of this as the people we are helping.”

Sondra Hackworth, human resources director at Traditional Bank, has worked there for 29 years. “The community gives us so much, so we wanted to give back. There is still a large need here in Eastern Kentucky.

“Please don’t forget the families that are still waiting for repairs. This experience for our whole team was touching — that we had a chance to do something for the community that would have a real impact. Several of us have already asked, when can we come back, what else can we do,” Hackworth said.

Families in Appalachia are slowly rebuilding what the floodwaters took. Corporate partners make repairs possible financially and with sweat equity. CAP continues to build strategic relationships that expand the services that can be provided in Appalachia.

“We value our corporate partners who find ways to further CAP’s mission through their financial gifts but also sending employees to provide a day of volunteer service. We are grateful. When corporate partners get involved, they are giving people hope,” Dexter added.

“I wasn’t sure what to expect being several months removed from the flooding, but coming down this road, I was truly just so surprised and overwhelmed by the devastation you can still see,” Reynolds stated. “You have all these houses that nobody is living in, and literally, it is just home after home after home. What has happened to the people? They have all been displaced from their homes. I can’t even imagine what has happened to them. We are happy to be down here to help a few families. I won’t forget this experience.”