ECHS Basketball, Local VFW Help With Eastern KY Relief Efforts

VFW Still Collecting Donations

(Left) Brownsville VFW Post 6937 Post Commander Gerald Carroll presents $2100 Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief check to Department of Kentucky VFW representative Calvin Shaak. (Right) ECHS head coach Brad Johnson (L) and Asst. Coach Trey Tinsley unload donated supplies at an Eastern KY donation drop off point in Lexington.

Darren Doyle, story:
Two local groups stepped up with their own individual campaigns to help a worthy cause this week by collecting and delivering aid to flood victims in Eastern Kentucky.

Brownsville VFW Post 6937 Post Commander Gerald Carroll presented a $2100 Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief check to Department of Kentucky VFW representative Calvin Shaak earlier this week in Louisville.  On Friday afternoon, the VFW will be collecting flood relief supplies and donations at the Edmonson County Public Library. 

Donations collected by ECHS boys basketball.

Donations collected by ECHS boys basketball.

Donations collected by ECHS boys basketball.

In addition to the efforts of the local VFW, Edmonson County High School basketball raised over $1,000 in cash and a trailer full on supplies for flood victims, Coach Brad Johnson said.

"We were blown away by the generosity of the Edmonson County community," said Johnson. "The crew that received us at the Appalachian Healthcare Center was very excited because we were able to take the supplies that were much needed."

ECHS Principal Jonathan Williams, who also made the trip, discussed how proud he was of the team's efforts.

"The people of Eastern Kentucky have suffered tremendously and I couldn't be prouder that our coaching staff, kids, and the people of our county that mobilized so quickly to respond to this disaster," he said. "People in Edmonson County and also around the Commonwealth are very generous when our own are in need and that's been evident. I had the privilege to go with the coaches to deliver the supplies, and the folks working up there were truly thankful. I also want to thank Kyle Cassady for letting us use his covered trailer to haul the supplies at no cost."

School personnel made the drive to Lexington, a central drop off point for relief efforts.

"I think it's great for our boys to see and participate in things like this," Coach Johnson said. "Thank you, and God bless to all."