LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) – It has been almost two months since floods ripped through eastern Kentucky.
Advocates for flood victims worry the help the region has received will fade away as other news take over the headlines.
There are some people however determined to not let that happen.
One of those people was Breathitt County resident Robert Anderson.
Although he and his family are still living in a church an hour away from where their home once stood, he continues to help those who are in much worse situations.
“I’m a country boy and I was raised old school, respecting your elders and helping your family,” Anderson said. “Well it also says do onto others as you want them to do onto you and love yourself as your neighbor.”
When the floods first hit in late-July, FOX 56 was there with Anderson by chance as his home washed away outside of downtown Jackson.
Despite all he and his family has experienced, Anderson knows there are people who are struggling to provide for their family.
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“A man and woman with six kids were living in a tent,” Anderson explained. “Their home had been totally wiped out. The kids were wearing t-shirts down past their knees. To see a family sticking together like that, and it warms your heart but the struggle, they were needing food.”
One of the biggest concerns Anderson has for people who are still homeless, is that temperatures continue to drop.
“Making sure they are warm,” Anderson said. “You know these kids need thick socks. Jogging pants, sweatshirts, sweaters, coats, blankets. You know and winter is just around the corner.”
What he also wants to make sure of is that as time goes on, and the attention of the general public shifts elsewhere, eastern Kentucky does not get left behind.
“Just keep your heart focused on children,” Anderson pleaded. “That is where my heart is right now, is the children that are displaced. Not knowing where their home is, where it is going to be. And the moms and dads that are struggling to keep food on the table. I’m not going to stop until everybody gets the help they need. I will not stop.”
If you are interested in donating, Anderson plans to deliver as many donations as the truck can hold and if there are more, he’ll do it again.
You can drop items off at Rose and Jim’s Barr & Grill off of Georgetown Road in Lexington.
You can find a full list of items they are collecting here.
