The Mountain Spirit Spring/Summer 2023

n Life's Adventure

n Drawing Me Back

n Limitless Possibilities

n One Day at a Time

Spirit

Our Communications staff here at CAP are storytellers at heart. When we start to plan each issue of the magazine, we look for stories that will illustrate the difference you are making in the lives of thousands of people in Appalachia every year. We look for ways to share stories of transformation and impact so that you can see in real time, from month to month, how integral donors and volunteers are to our collective CAP story.

Tina V. Bryson tbryson@chrisapp.org

That includes volunteers and AmeriCorps members like Geraldine Justice, who ministered to a child who, after being traumatized by tragedy, was selfless enough to think of other children before himself. She was called to serve in Appalachia. Read more of her story on page 6.

Be inspired by Coach JR Bryant, who is investing in the lives of young people in the region to expose them to new challenges that strengthen them for the future. His partnership with CAP is bringing together a community. Find more of his story on page 22.

On page 12, find the story of Kathy Perry, a native of McCreary County. She has found a way to use her gifts to serve the community where she grew up. Her compassion and service are transforming the lives of children, their families, and seniors.

Read the story of Ronald Fletcher and his wife, Mira, on page 24. Learn why they call Jill Stafford, a Home Repair caseworker, an angel. Just two days after they paid off their home, historic flooding almost destroyed their dreams.

You make this work possible. Our team is grateful that we also get to use our gifts to share these stories and images with you so you can see the positive impact you’re making throughout the Appalachian region as a partner of CAP.

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people.” Colossians 1:3–4 (NIV)

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CREATIVE

Tina V. Bryson

COPY EDITORS

Dennis Jacobs, Amy Schill

PHOTO CREDITS

JR Bryant, Tina Bryson, Chad Hembree, Kasey Mills, Josh Mullins, Danny Overholt, Brianna Stephens

CONTACT US

By phone: 859.269.0635

Toll-free: 866.270.4227

Email: capinfo@chrisapp.org

Website: christianapp.org

SUBSCRIPTIONS

The Mountain Spirit is published twice a year. The suggested donation is $20.00. Subscription requests and other correspondence should be sent to:

Christian Appalachian Project

The Mountain Spirit

P.O. Box 55911

Lexington, KY 40555-5911

Copyright 2023. Christian Appalachian Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Christian Appalachian Project is a nonprofit Christian service organization operating throughout Appalachia. Christian Appalachian Project is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and is qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions.

Building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia.

DIRECTOR

Meet the Writers

Faith 6 Life’s Adventure

Geraldine Justice arrived in Eastern Kentucky to begin her year of service and found herself in the middle of the region’s ongoing disaster relief efforts.

10 Drawing Me Back

Chaplain Danny Overholt has come to Appalachia repeatedly, bringing spiritual and mental comfort to families impacted by flooding.

Service

12 Thy Will Be Done

Kathy Perry, a native of McCreary County, is grateful to be helping address food insecurity in the community.

14 No Words

Traditional Bank not only offered a matching financial gift to support disaster relief efforts, but also sent 34 employees to repair damaged homes.

18 One Day at a Time

When it comes to disaster relief, CAP is in it for the long haul. Operation Sharing continues to support communities impacted by the 2022 flooding.

Compassion

22

24

26

Limitless Possibilities

Coach JR Bryant partnered with CAP's Foley Community Center which provided space for young wrestlers.

First to Help

Ronald Fletcher and his wife paid off the mortgage on their home. Two days later, the flood waters made the home unlivable.

Stitched With Love

Threads of Joy partners with CAP's Family Advocacy program to support families in need. Marcia and Tom Morgan also volunteer to help with CAP's Christmas Baskets.

Appalachia Spotlight

30 For the People

Hindman Settlement School’s Roots and Rows program has helped families learn how to grow and preserve their food.

ON THE COVER: One-year volunteer and AmeriCorps member Gabby Wilson Ybanez packs senior commodity boxes at CAP's Grateful Bread Food Pantry.

32 A Spotlight for Every Child

Spotlight Acting School gives children the opportunity to gain theater experience no matter their income or experience.

Shannon Holbrook Shannon is a freelance writer based in Central Kentucky.

Brianna Stephens Brianna is a CAP staff writer.

Kim Kobersmith Kim is a freelance writer and journalist in Berea.

WDKY FOX56 Named 2022 Philanthropist of the Year

CAP honored WDKY FOX56 as our 2022 Philanthropist of the Year during the National Philanthropy Day celebration. The station, owned and operated by Nexstar Media Group — America’s largest local television and media company — was recognized for leading fundraising efforts to help families devastated by historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky in July 2022.

Monte Costes, vice president and general manager of WDKY, coordinated the participation of more than 30 Nexstar television stations across the country in a 10-day fundraising drive to assist victims affected by the flooding. This included the creation of

a 30-minute TV special that highlighted the impact of the floods and detailed the needs. Additional information was provided to all 200 Nexstar stations.

The unified campaign amplified the need in the region and ultimately

resulted in $300,000 raised to help families facing overwhelming circumstances. This was capped off with a $25,000 donation to CAP from the Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation to support flood relief and recovery efforts in the 13 counties impacted.

Elderly Services Delivers a Christmas Surprise

After CAP’s Elderly Services program chose to cancel its Christmas event as a precaution against a rise in flu and other respiratory illnesses, caseworkers made a special effort to visit participants at their homes dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus, and elves. When Ada, a participant, opened her front door, she was surprised and overjoyed to see the caseworkers on her doorstep.

Like many other seniors in Appalachia, Ada lives alone and seldom has visits from anyone else other than CAP’s caseworkers. She depends on them to provide transportation for grocery shopping

and doctor appointments, as well as helping her run other errands, like paying bills.

Ada looks forward to CAP’s special events, which allow her to visit with other seniors, so she was disappointed to learn the in-person Christmas event had been canceled. When CAP showed up at her door, she gave the caseworkers a big, warm hug. “The employees in our program feel so much love from each and every one of our participants, not just during the holidays but every day,” said Kasey Mills, an Elderly Services caseworker. “They love and appreciate us just as much as we do them.”

Hooay!

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library puts books into the hands and hearts of children across the world. They partner with local communities to provide a hand-selected, age-appropriate, high-quality book each month to registered children from birth to age five at no cost to families.

More than 500 children have participated in this program in CAP’s service area, with more being added. Quality books count!

“God brings joy out of giving. Serving is a beautiful spiritual journey. If you’re thinking about it, don’t wait. Do it.”

– Geraldine Justice

One-year volunteer and AmeriCorps member Geraldine Justice created a craft corner for children impacted by the summer flooding in CAP’s donation distribution center.

Life’s Adventure

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

Geraldine Justice knew God had a plan for her in Appalachia. The day she arrived in Eastern Kentucky from Texas to begin her service as a one-year volunteer and AmeriCorps member, she was quickly diverted from her original assignment of serving at Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Grateful Threadz Thrift Store to help ongoing disaster relief efforts in response to historical flooding in the state.

Justice served at CAP’s distribution center in Martin, providing essential items, like cleaning supplies, clothing, water, and hygiene items to families impacted by the flood. While parents collected supplies and spoke with agencies at the center about their next steps, Justice occupied their children with a craft. She traced their hands; let them decorate the paper cutouts with stickers, jewels, and messages of hope; and stuck them to the wall of the center. What she thought would be a bushel of hands turned into a tree of encouraging messages with hands from children, their families, and CAP employees and volunteers.

During her service there, one little boy made the greatest impact on her. He came in with his family, all of them covered in thick mud up to their waists. They were all still in shock from the experiences they had during the flood. The little boy, who was wearing just one shoe, told Justice that he only needed one shoe because another little boy might need the other.

“That stuck with me, because he was so careful not to take more than he needed,” Justice said. She found him a pair of shoes and assured him that any other little boys who came in would be able to have a pair of shoes, too.

After spending her first weeks in Disaster Relief, Justice was able to start her service at Grateful Threadz and settle into community living with other volunteers. Grateful Threadz provides affordable clothing, household items, toys, books, and jewelry to the community.

The store reopened in June 2022 after closing for two years during the pandemic. Members of the community, as well as the store’s employees and volunteers, were so excited they could enjoy shopping and socializing with friends there once again.

In her daily role, Justice runs the register at the store, helps manage community volunteers who prepare incoming donations for the store floor, and helps customers find what they are looking for.

“There is nothing like serving here,” Justice said. “People who come here are so excited to get beautiful things, not just something from a thrift store. You see their faces light up every day from what they find. Everyone is so thankful and grateful.”

Geraldine Justice serves at CAP's Grateful Threadz Thrift Store in Mount Vernon with colleague Sydney Saylor.

Serving at the thrift store during the Christmas season was an especially exciting time for Justice as families shopped with their loved ones in mind. She helped a woman surprise her granddaughter with a bedroom makeover by finding a matching comforter, lamp, and decorative photos at the store. The woman gave Justice a big hug when she left with her treasures.

“I look at my experience with CAP and see it has been a joy,” Justice said. “I’m an adventurous person, and this is part of my life’s adventure. I’ve learned that you always get more back than you give. God brings joy out of giving. Serving is a beautiful spiritual journey. If you’re thinking about it, don’t wait. Do it. “

Whether you can volunteer for a week or a year, CAP offers several opportunities to serve. Visit our website at christianapp.org/volunteer to learn more about how you can serve with CAP. n

“People who come here are so excited to get beautiful things, not just something from a thrift store. You see their faces light up every day from what they find. Everyone is so thankful and grateful.”

– Geraldine Justice

Geraldine Justice helps CAP celebrate veterans in Mount Vernon. When she started her year of service, she helped families gather essential items at CAP's donation distribution center in Martin.

CORPORATE RELATIONS

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Tax-Deductible Gifts

Gift-In-Kind Donations

Sponsorships

Matching Gift Programs

Employee Volunteers

To learn more about how your company can become involved as a corporate partner, please contact Bryce Dexter at 859.880.1822 or email corporaterelations@chrisapp.org.

CHURCH RELATIONS

“Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16 (NIV)

Whether your church is on the East Coast, West Coast, or anywhere in between, it can help make a difference to people in need in Appalachia. By volunteering, giving monetary contributions, or donating gift-in-kind items, your church can help us continue to be the hands and feet of Christ for years to come.

To learn more about how your church can become involved as a church partner, please contact Diane Vego at 606.308.8094 or email churches@chrisapp.org

“Since responding to the floods, the people in Eastern Kentucky have just stole my heart.”

— Danny Overholt

Danny Overholt has served as a chaplain with CAP since 2021. He has met and prayed with people impacted by the tornadoes in Western Kentucky and flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

Faith

Drawing Me Back

BY KIM KOBERSMITH

Danny Overholt was working full-time as a truck driver in 2016 when he felt a calling to take up disaster work. Not long after, he turned in his truck keys, loaded up his pick-up truck with tools and supplies, and hit the road.

“Disaster relief was never on my radar, but the Lord began to put me in places and give me dreams and made it pretty specific,” Overholt said.

Now, his commitment has extended to chaplaincy work, and he said he’s been privileged to minister as a Billy Graham Chaplain to people around the country and in Ukraine as they recover from fires, hurricanes, wars, tornadoes, and floods.

Overholt’s relationship with Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) began years ago when he received a mailing and began learning about the mission. He calls Knoxville, Tennessee, home and has a special place for Appalachia in his heart. He began supporting CAP’s work as a donor, and as he learned more through the magazine and newsletters, he knew he wanted to be involved on the ground.

It was tornado relief in 2021 that first drew Overholt to the commonwealth, where he helped CAP serve affected neighbors in Western Kentucky. He screened people requesting aid and served as a chaplain, listening compassionately to their stories and offering to pray with them. “I fell in love,” he said.

That love for the people of Kentucky only deepened when he responded to Eastern Kentucky with CAP after the summer floods. He has continued a relationship with people in the region beyond the crisis, returning every couple of weeks to minister to and care for affected residents. He has made more than a dozen trips to the region.

“Since responding to the floods, the people in Eastern Kentucky have just stole my heart,” he said. “The situations people were living in even before the flood is heartbreaking, but it keeps drawing me back. I feel like they are family, especially the people at CAP.”

While listening to stories and praying with people, Overholt gained a unique perspective on the community. He communicates to CAP staff the needs of the families he meets and how they can be served. One family Overholt got to know while volunteering with the Family Resource Center at Beaver Creek Elementary especially touched his heart. They live in a single-wide trailer that was impacted by the floods. Volunteers had helped them with the muck out, and they’d moved back in, but they were living without a front door. Overholt notified CAP staff who worked to get a new door installed before the area experienced bitter cold December weather.

Because of his continued work in the area, Robyn Renner, director of CAP’s Disaster Relief, realized the importance of a chaplain presence during a crisis. To increase the number of people able to serve in this capacity, CAP plans to host a day-long training for CAP employees, volunteers, and community members to prepare for future disaster responses.

At CAP, Overholt has found friendship and meaning, and knows he is making a difference. “Appalachia is where my heart is drawn to,” he explained. “I love volunteering with CAP and plan to continue.” n

Thy Will Be Done

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

verything happens for a reason. It’s an adage many believe and with good reason.

The news about the closing of Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) preschool in McCreary County was bittersweet for Kathy Perry and the school’s other employees. Even though it meant they had to say goodbye to their students, it happened for a good reason: the local school system was going to provide preschool services to families in the area.

So, as it has always gone in CAP history, when a need is met, CAP looks for the next need to address.

In the interim, Perry and other preschool staff helped out at CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry in Mount Vernon, serving participants and learning how to operate a pantry. Little did they know God was preparing them for their next role, because after a few months of serving at Grateful Bread, it was decided that CAP would open a food pantry in McCreary County, which has one of the highest food insecurity rates in the state.

“God’s hand has been in this since the beginning,” said Perry, who is now the coordinator of Eagle Food Pantry. The pantry opened to the public in 2021, and soon after, an expansion was built, opening in 2022. “He gives us

all different gifts and talents to use, and He prepared us for this new opportunity to be His hands and feet in this community,” Perry said.

A native of McCreary County, Perry is familiar with the food insecurity issues that many in the community face. In addition to pantry boxes, Eagle Food Pantry offers commodity boxes for seniors and delivery services for participants who are not able to pick up their pantry boxes in person.

“We know how critical this food is for our participants, and our delivery service is an area where we have tried to fill the gap and meet the needs of children, their families, and seniors here in McCreary County,” Perry said.

Whether it’s during business hours or when she is out running errands, Perry has become a familiar and trusted face in the community. She treats her participants like extended family members, always checking in on them to see how she can help, be it through the pantry or by referring them to other CAP programs. Perry loves to see her participants walk in the door with smiles on their faces, but she can also tell when they are struggling.

When a regular participant came into the pantry with tears in her eyes, Perry was there for her. The woman confided in her, sharing her hardships. Her husband had been diagnosed with cancer a few weeks before, and because her children and other family members lived out of state, she had been forced to quit her job to provide full-time care to her husband. On top of it all, a local rate increase had caused a higher electric bill

than usual and rising fuel prices had made it difficult for her to drive her husband to his doctor’s appointments, which were two hours away.

Having lost her own parents to cancer, Perry’s heart ached for the woman, and she wanted to do what she could to provide her some relief. She offered Eagle Food Pantry’s delivery services so the participant could stay home to care for her husband, as well as save fuel in her car, and she has given the family the option to receive an emergency pantry box if they need extra food. She also referred the family to CAP’s Family Advocacy program for help paying bills. Before the woman left the pantry that day, she smiled with hope in her eyes, gave Perry a warm hug, and invited her to have a cup of coffee at her home.

“We want our participants to feel loved when they come to the pantry and to feel empowered to share the experiences they are having,” Perry said. “I feel that is what our calling is through Christ: to show them love, help meet the need where we can, and most of all, to be able to lighten some of the burden. Without Christ, I couldn’t serve my participants.” n

“We want our participants to feel loved when they come to the pantry and to feel empowered to share the experiences they are having.”

— Kathy Perry

Kathy Perry, pantry coordinator, and Phyllis Ridner, pantry clerk, look over a list of new participants needing services from Eagle Food Pantry. The number of pantry participants increases weekly.

A Traditional Bank employee works to repair a flooded home.

Service

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.

“Partnerships, like the one we have with Traditional Bank, show the true power of community. In times of crisis, the light shines through.”

— Bryce Dexter

“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.”

n

"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."

— Sondra Hackworth

In addition to providing a matching financial gift of nearly $134,000 to help meet urgent needs in response to the flooding, Traditional Bank sent 34 employees to repair damaged homes.

Service

One Day

at a Time

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

Since the flood, Operation Sharing has worked with donors and partners to deliver $15 million in essential items and household goods to devastated communities.

The rumble of a tractor-trailer’s engine vibrates through the ground as the truck zooms by a FEMA trailer parked a few feet from the road. Large trucks don’t usually travel down this rural Eastern Kentucky road — but now lines of them continue to travel in and out of the area, carrying away the seemingly endless amount of debris from the summer flood.

A family of four who escaped the flood waters is living in a trailer that sits right in front of their real home. They are slowly working to repair it after the waters of nearby Troublesome Creek rose 4 feet within the main living spaces, 6 feet in their garage, and 10 feet in their basement just nine months ago. Since the flood, the family has been trying their best to balance work and home life while finding the time, money, and resources to continue repairing their home on their own.

Because of the generosity of donors, Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Operation Sharing program has helped bring relief to children, their families, and seniors impacted by the flood through the distribution of essential items, household goods, and more. The family received a stove, washer, dryer, mattresses, dehumidifier, and an air conditioner from Operation Sharing to help them as they rebuild their home.

“The rebuilding has been slow, because it takes money. When you lose everything, you have to replenish everything you have,” Tera, the mother, said. “These items from Christian Appalachian Project take a heavy burden off us because that is money we can save and put into buying other items we don’t have. It’s a blessing.”

While Operation Sharing can obtain donated materials, the program depends on its partner network of more than 1,300 community-based agencies, nonprofits, schools, and churches to help connect the materials to people in need throughout the region.

Since August, Alma Eversole, who teaches at the Knott County Area Technology Center, has hosted multiple distributions of Operation Sharing essential items in her community. A flood survivor herself still in need of home repairs, Eversole has worked nonstop to connect with families in the community impacted by the flood, like Tera’s, or families who just need a helping hand. She keeps track of families and their needs, and shares that information with Operation Sharing when a tractor-trailer load of supplies is sent to her.

On a truckload in January, Eversole was excited to receive more than 50 rolls of new carpet donated to Operation

Rupp Arena, the home court of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, donated new carpet to help families impacted by the flood. CAP’s Operation Sharing delivered the carpet to community partners for distribution.

Sharing from Rupp Arena, the home court of the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team in Lexington. At the time, many families rebuilding from the flood in the community needed flooring, but the cost of different materials made it challenging for families to purchase.

“We will keep doing this until we don’t see a need,” Eversole said. “There is a lot that is needed here, but we are taking it one day at a time. It has been a blessing for us to be able to do this for our community and to have this partnership with Operation Sharing.”

Whether a disaster strikes or there is a need in the community, CAP’s programs are in it for the long haul to walk beside our participants and help them through what could be the most challenging moments of their lives.

“It has been a blessing for us to be able to do this for our community and to have this partnership with Operation Sharing.”

Thoms, manager of the Paintsville Operation Sharing program. “We continue to listen to our partners to meet the changing needs of our participants as recovery efforts continue. We hope that what we can do makes a small difference in the lives of these families.” n

— Alma Eversole

Jeff Burchett, director of CAP’s Operation Sharing, delivers a new washer, dryer, and other household items and appliances to a family rebuilding from the flood.

Working Together

BY BRIANNA STEPHENS

When there is a need in our region, Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) programs work closely together to serve children, their families, and seniors in Appalachia.

In the late fall following historic summer flooding that impacted thousands of homes in Eastern Kentucky, CAP’s Disaster Relief program received a call about a large donation of furniture from the University of Louisville. The university was renovating a 192-unit student apartment complex and wanted to give the furniture and appliances that were being removed to people rebuilding from the flood in Eastern Kentucky.

“When we got word about this donation, we were excited and knew this would make a big difference for the people impacted by the flood,” said Robyn Renner, director of CAP’s Disaster Relief program. “We needed a way to get it to Eastern Kentucky, so we reached out to Operation Sharing. They were happy to help.”

For several weeks, Operation Sharing tractor-trailer drivers drove to Louisville to pick up trailers full of couches, chairs, cabinets, tables, stoves, washers, dryers, and more. The truckloads of items were distributed to the program’s partners across Eastern Kentucky to help families impacted by the floods.

“Our partners have helped make the delivery of this furniture possible to families across multiple Eastern Kentucky counties,” said Ben Ridner, manager of the Corbin Operation Sharing program. “Our partners are critical in making sure essential items get in the hands of people who need it.”

In addition to the furniture from the University of Louisville, CAP has received multiple loads of assorted kitchen items from IKEA, including kitchen accessories, cabinets, and countertops. n

Compassion

Limitless Possibilities

BY TINA V. BRYSON

If you think of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson or WWE when someone mentions wrestling, spend some time with Coach JR Bryant, who is working to promote the sport in Floyd County. His passion is ensuring boys and girls have an opportunity to learn to be wrestlers in a safe, supportive atmosphere — and he’s found that in a partnership with Christian Appalachian Project’s (CAP) Foley Community Center and a willingness to think outside the box.

“Even though we are late in the season, we’re still inviting people to give it a try, to understand more about it,” said Coach Bryant, who has been coaching the Prestonsburg Black Cats for seven years. “A lot of kids and parents have no idea of the work that goes into it, how hard it is, and what it can offer athletically and holistically. It is positive and worthwhile.”

When Floyd Central needed a wrestling coach, Coach Bryant found himself leading the effort to bring wrestlers together from Floyd Central High School and Prestonsburg High School. This is the first year the school has offered wrestling. The school board embraced the opportunity, and the Foley Community Center provided the needed space to bring more than 80 students together in a safe place.

“We’re trying to promote women’s wrestling more. It’s a relatively new sport in Kentucky, but it’s growing fast,” Coach Bryant said. “The hope is to teach all of the students self-reliance and self-respect through hard work and training. Without the community center, I don’t know how possible this could have been.”

The program has a high school component as well as a youth component. Scott Johnson now leads the Floyd Central Jaguars, while Charlie Johnson oversees the K-8

youth division. They had more than 20 varsity wrestlers as well as the other athletes who needed enough space to train and have access to a huge amount of equipment.

Bryant’s wife, Kelli, coordinates activities at the community center, and she is glad to see the facility draw the community together.

“Strategic partnerships are extremely important to the mission of the Foley Community Center. We want to serve as a safe space to gather and explore the similarities that make us a community,” she said. “The past few years have been very taxing on a lot of people. Many people have felt isolated and alone. The center is a place where people can come together.”

According to Coach Bryant, that is exactly what happened. Although the county has three high schools and multiple elementary and middle schools, this joint program has brought them together.

“Floyd County can sometimes feel divided, but now these two high schools practice together every single day. That makes a difference,” Coach Bryant said. “You have people from tip to tip of the county, some people separated by an hour apart. Now, the parents and the students have developed relationships to cheer each other on. It has really been a unifying experience.”

Foley Community Center has also hosted several other events, such as youth pageants and baby and wedding showers, as well as being a point of contact with both FEMA and MARC for people impacted during the floods.

“I envision this community center being used by small businesses that need a place to host a meeting to grow and expand, or to be used by a book club or sewing circle to reignite the connection they had before COVID,” Bryant added. “It would be a great place to meet for a weekly pickup basketball game with the same group of friends that have been together since high school. The possibilities of this center are limitless.” n

Photos provided by Kyle Ramey, Charles Johnson, and JR Bryant.

First to Help

BY TINA V. BRYSON

For homeowner Ronald Fletcher and his wife, Mira, July 26, 2022, was a wonderful day. Three years prior, they had bought their home, and they’d been working hard to pay it off. That Tuesday, they made the final payment on their home: a dream of many families. Now, this house really belonged to them. But their elation wouldn’t last — because just

two days later, historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky caused the creek by their house to rise, leaving 3 feet of water in their home, which sits 11 feet off the ground.

“When you hear about rain in this area, you take notice, but we had never seen floodwater in this house before,” said Fletcher, the father of two. “We stayed until we had

to leave, and by then, the water was waist deep. We stayed in a motel that first night, and when we came back, we seen everything we worked for was gone.”

There were several feet of mud on the floor when he came inside the kitchen, which was unrecognizable. Their brand-new refrigerator was flipped over on its side. The living room wasn’t any better. Their couch and chairs were soaked with creek water and covered in mud as well.

“I was just devastated. Me and my wife have worked hard to pay it off. Now, that was just years of work that went completely down the drain,” Fletcher said. “I just told my wife that we were done. I just didn’t really know what we were going to do.”

After his first assessment, it took Fletcher three weeks to determine how he might provide for his family. FEMA provided some funds that the family used to purchase a camper.

“We thought we could find a place, but the places that I could even think about buying needed as much work if not more than our own home. Moving just wasn’t a good option,” Fletcher added. “I said, ‘Wait a minute, I own this, I don’t owe a penny on it. I’ll need to gut this as quickly as I can so my family can have some place to live.’”

Years ago, Jill Stafford, now a Home Repair caseworker, had helped Fletcher get some siding for his home through Christian Appalachian Project (CAP). He smiled when he recalled Stafford’s compassion and how she had helped his family.

“Any time I’ve ever called her, she’s been there for me,” Fletcher said. “If I needed some insulation, Ms. Jill from CAP would get me some insulation. If I needed some plywood, Ms. Jill would get me some plywood. She’s a great person. She was probably one of the first people to help me in any way after these floods. If it wasn’t for her, my home wouldn’t be back to where it is today.”

He aired out his home with all the doors and windows open while regularly spraying to mitigate for mold for a whole month. His next steps were to take the house all the way down to the studs. He stripped the floors down to the joists.

Three months after the flood, the family still had several rooms, including a bedroom and laundry room, with no drywall and no insulation. They still needed siding and an HVAC system. They had been using space heaters, which caused their electricity bill to skyrocket from $100 to $400 dollars per month. A tree also had fallen on the roof, causing the need for additional repairs.

CAP understands that recovery takes time and staff are there for the long haul to help families get back on their feet. Fletcher added, “If it wasn't for Christian Appalachian Project, I don't know where I would be.” n

“If it wasn’t for Christian Appalachian Project, I don’t know where I would be.”

– Ronald Fletcher

The creek outside of the Fletcher home rose to leave 3 feet of water in their house, which sits 11 feet off the ground. (left) CAP has provided families, like Ronald Fletcher’s, with materials to rebuild after historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

Threads of Joy founder Marcia Morgan and her group of seamstresses stitch together clothing items and blankets for CAP’s Family Advocacy program.

BY BRIANNA

Fourteen years ago, Marcia Morgan founded Threads of Joy, an Indiana-based sewing group whose members handmake a variety of clothing items and blankets for children in need. Morgan was looking for a new organization to partner with when she received a letter in the mail from Christian Appalachian Project (CAP).

“When our previous partnership with another mission ended, I was determined to find the next opportunity where we could help meet a need,” Morgan said. “I had never connected with CAP before, but when I opened the letter, I knew right away I wanted to reach out.”

When she called CAP, she was connected with Josh Ratliff, coordinator of CAP’s Family Advocacy program in Johnson, Martin, and Floyd Counties. After explaining to Ratliff what Threads of Joy does, Morgan was excited to learn that Family Advocacy needed children’s clothing and welcomed the partnership. Just as CAP continues to grow and adapt to meet the needs of children, their families, and seniors in Appalachia, Threads of Joy has done the same. Since beginning the partnership in 2021, Morgan has learned more about the needs of the families CAP serves and has welcomed members of her church, Plainsfield Christian Church, to also donate various household items to help families in need in Appalachia.

“The members of the group have done a lot of sewing, and we are grateful for every stitch they’ve made,” Ratliff said. “Over time, our partnership with Threads of Joy has grown from donations of handmade clothing to other items to support families in our program, like dishes, towels, sheets, and other small household goods,” Ratliff added. Many of those items can be life-changing for families facing emergency situations, such as house fires or a natural disaster.

In addition to the donations, Morgan and her husband, Tom, have also volunteered to help Family Advocacy with Christmas Baskets. The program helps make Christmas possible for families in need in Appalachia and provides them with gifts, household items, and a ham for Christmas dinner.

“The members of the group have done a lot of sewing, and we are grateful for every stitch they’ve made.”

— Josh Ratliff

STEPHENS

CAP employees and volunteers work year-round to prepare for the Christmas Baskets distribution. Family Advocacy began taking applications for the program just before the historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky during July 2022. Not surprisingly, there was a noticeable increase in the number of families who signed up for Christmas services after being impacted by the flood.

When the Morgans came to CAP with a donation delivery in September, they also helped organize donations that have been received throughout the year for Christmas Baskets. When they returned later in the fall, they spent time helping Family Advocacy employees and volunteers pack Christmas Baskets according to the gift requests on each family’s application.

“It takes several hours to pack Christmas Baskets, but it is worth it, knowing that the families will have smiles on their faces on Christmas morning,” Morgan said. “Through all our efforts, Threads of Joy and the church members are excited to know we are able to help our neighbors in Appalachia.” n

“Through all our efforts, Threads of Joy and the church members are excited to know we are able to help our neighbors in Appalachia.”

— Marcia Morgan

In the fall, Marcia Morgan, above, and her husband Tom, below, volunteered their time with CAP to help pack Christmas Baskets with clothing, household items, and toys for families in need.

For the People

BY SHANNON HOLBROOK

Last summer’s floods ravaged Eastern Kentucky, washing away families’ hard-earned fresh food sources, like gardens and greenhouses. In Knott County, Hindman Settlement School (HSS) is helping rebuild these resources through a unique program that builds community, supports the local food systems, and helps preserve the culture.

Last year, its Roots and Rows program helped 54 families learn how to grow and preserve their own food. The school provides what it can, including seeds, supplies, tools, accessible gardens, training, and education.

“It’s an intersection of food and culture combined,” said Josh Mullins, senior director of program development, HSS. “We focus on food insecurity and helping families

have access to food, as well as how to uplift and infuse the mountain traditions today.”

HSS also invites the broader community to learn those traditions in classes that teach things such as how to make chow chow, prepare shucky beans, plant by the signs, and forage for mushrooms — all part of Appalachian tradition.

“We invite expert guest speakers who also understand our philosophy, and then try to engage the local community to teach,” Mullins said.

Many educational opportunities are available online as well, like “What’s Cookin’ Now,” a monthly livestream cooking show, and its “Agrilachia” webinar series, which

features food experts discussing the local food movement and culture.

HSS works to bring the community in for multiple events, like workshops, weekly farmers’ markets, and special events, such as Dumplin’s and Dancin’, a weekend celebrating Appalachia’s unique food culture with hands-on activities.

“Things were on a pause since the flood, but we’ll be doing more this spring,” Mullins explained.

Floods damaged much of the campus, including the farm. But the school worked tirelessly to rebuild while also continuing its community outreach to help neighbors struggling without food, water, or shelter.

HSS has been hosting its popular Gather & Grow events for the public since November to build community through healing, food, and conversation. It brings in mental health providers, counselors, musicians, restaurateurs, and guest chefs for the event.

Well known for its workshops for writers and folk arts, HSS was the first rural settlement school in America, founded in 1902. In 2018, the school won CAP’s Champions of Appalachia award, recognizing individuals and organizations that have a long-term positive impact on the lives of people in the region. Visit hindman.org to learn more.

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“We focus on food insecurity and helping families have access to food, as well as how to uplift and infuse the mountain traditions today.”

–Josh Mullins

Hindman Settlement School’s Roots and Rows program helps families learn how to grow and preserve their own food. The school also offers other educational opportunities to learn more about the food and culture of the region.

“We spread the parts out based on skill level, and our kids are taught from the very first audition to cheer each other on. It’s our culture. We’re a family.”

— Chad Hembree

Spotlight Acting School offers 150 seasonal performances for children to participate in.

A Spotlight for Every Child

BY SHANNON HOLBROOK

As the last notes of Annie JR’s “Hard-Knock Life” linger in the air, applause and cheers erupt throughout the theater. Wide grins spread quickly across the young actors’ smudged faces as they collect their well-earned accolades before shuffling offstage for their next scene.

The scene may sound similar. But this children’s theater is unlike any other — because at Spotlight, no child is turned away. Not for talent. Not for financial resources. Every child is cast, and they pay what they can, if they can.

“We take anyone, regardless of financial situation,” said Chad Hembree, executive director of Spotlight Acting School in Berea. Hembree runs the nonprofit with his wife, Letha.

Families drive weekly from as far as the Williamsburg, Mount Sterling, and Louisville areas of Kentucky to attend the school. They come from Madison County’s neighboring cities, too.

“Children’s theater has become so competitive,” Hembree said. “They turn away five times the number of children now that audition We’re super non-competitive. We spread the parts out based on skill level, and our kids are taught from the very first audition to cheer each other on. It’s our culture. We’re a family.”

Career-minded theater students can join the Spotlight Theatrical Arts Repertory School (STARS) program.

There’s also a film school for camera acting, directing, technical aspects, and what happens behind the scenes.

By nurturing their talent and character, Spotlight is helping its students secure better futures. “They’re getting scholarships like crazy,” Hembree said. “They have no chip on their shoulder, are supportive, kind, and their talent is good.”

A child smiles while she takes the spotlight during a performance.

Brady Sexton started at Spotlight in third grade and has performed in 60 of their productions. He’d just started at Bellarmine University as a music major when he won the lead in the school’s production of “Gaslight.” “That’s unheard of for a freshman non-major,” Hembree said.

While Spotlight’s mission is spot-on, paying the bills can be a struggle. The nonprofit has no grants and relies on ticket sales, tuition, fundraising, and in-kind donations to stay afloat. Most shows cost about $3,000 each (not including overhead costs), and Spotlight offers 150 seasonal performances. Most of the tuition pays for show fees and directors.

Hembree hasn’t had a paycheck in two years, but he doesn’t complain. He credits the church, Berea College, and Spotlight’s founder and his mentor, Kathy Bettler, for Spotlight’s mission.

“As alumni of Berea College, Letha and I know the value of their labor system there and use it here to help offset the financial cost for families,” Hembree said. “I also worked as a youth minister in the church, so we embrace inclusion here, too.”

Hembree added, “In our early days, when a family couldn’t afford tuition, Kathy would go find someone to pay for it.”

To fundraise, this spring, they’ll host the Festival of Short Plays, featuring local playwrights. Their popular weeklong K–12 summer camps will return, too.

Hembree wants to make theater more accessible. Audience members can even enjoy “pay what you can” performances on certain nights. He’d also like to expand their show offerings even more, narrowing the age gap of current ones. “Four- and 9-year-olds are at two different developmental levels, same with 11- and 18-year olds,” Hembree said. “More opportunities would be wonderful.” For more information, visit thespotlightplayhouse.com. n

“They’re getting scholarships like crazy.

They have no chip on their shoulder, are supportive, kind, and their talent is good.”

— Chad Hembree

Spotlight Acting School offers opportunities for youth across Kentucky to participate and learn more about theater and what goes into a production.

christianapp.org/MtSpiritGive