SOMERSET, KY — The PRIDE office in Somerset is requesting donations for its upcoming trips to deliver supplies to Eastern Kentucky communities devastated by recent flooding. The Kentucky Wildlands, which is a PRIDE initiative, is promoting the relief effort on social media.

Donations most needed for the Aug. 3 trip are non-perishable canned goods, mops, shovels, brooms, muck boots, cleaning supplies, socks, shoes and baby items. Large items are not being accepted for this trip due to the numerous volunteers who will be riding along.

Please donate supplies at one of these sites between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on Aug. 1 and 2:

  • The Center for Rural Development
  • Coldwell Banker Realty
  • Community Care Clinics in Science Hill, Nancy and Monticello
  • Citizens Bank at all locations in Somerset, Mt Vernon, Brodhead and McKee, as well as their insurance agency in Mt. Vernon

 

PRIDE/The Kentucky Wildlands will deliver the supplies on Aug. 3 to Hazard, Breathitt County, Prestonsburg, Virgie and Whitesburg. The drop-off sites will be chosen by PRIDE’s partners in each community, who are local officials.

Monetary donations also are being accepted to pay for relief supplies. Donate via PayPal using PRIDE@centertech.com or mail your check (written to Eastern Kentucky PRIDE with “flood relief” in the memo line) to PRIDE, 2292 S. Hwy. 27, Somerset, KY 42503. PRIDE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so all donations are tax deductible. Receipts will be provided.

Anyone interested in supporting the Aug. 3 trip (and future trips) is invited to attend a planning meeting at 1:30 pm on Aug. 2 at The Center for Rural Development. 

“If you want to help, but you’re not sure how, this is your chance to make a meaningful contribution to our Eastern Kentucky neighbors who have such tremendous, immediate needs,” said Tammie Nazario, PRIDE President/CEO. “PRIDE has worked with these communities for 25 years on environmental projects, and the last few years on tourism projects through The Kentucky Wildlands, so we have a network of partners who are telling us what is needed and where it will do the most good.”

“After our trip this Wednesday, we will have a better idea of the needs on the ground, and we will put out a new call for materials and volunteers for our future trips,” said Farrah Dobbs, The Kentucky Wildlands Marketing Director. “We will be helping for weeks to come, so if you miss this trip, you can catch us on the next one.”

“The outpouring of support we’ve already seen is inspiring, and we are grateful for those donations and pledges of support,” Dobbs said.

As of midday on Aug. 1, the following individuals and organizations have joined the relief effort spearheaded by PRIDE/The Kentucky Wildlands:  

  • Amy Stroud with Forcht Broadcasting
  • Keifer Adkins with Flashback Theatre
  • David Sparks with Coldwell Banker
  • Rikiyah Pryor with Citizens Bank
  • Kelli Chaney with Community Care Clinics
  • Stefan Brown with South-Central Bank
  • Ken Simmons with South Kentucky RECC

 

To contact the PRIDE office, please email PRIDE@centertech.com or administrator@kywildlands.com or call (toll free) 888-577-4339. 

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