Responding to an outpouring of concern from Louisville residents about those impacted by the catastrophic flooding in Eastern Kentucky, Mayor Greg Fischer today announced an essential needs donation drive to help supply the Whitesburg Medical Clinic with general hygiene and sanitary products.
“We are only beginning to understand the extent of the destruction, and yet so many Louisvillians are stepping up and asking how they can help,” said the Mayor. “We’ve been in contact with one of our incredible community partners, SOS International, who has been on the ground in Whitesburg, to learn how our compassionate community can help the residents of Eastern Kentucky. One of the big needs right now is for general hygiene products, so let’s all come together and pack a truck with supplies for Eastern Kentucky.”
The Whitesburg Medical Clinic, located in Whitesburg, Ky., was devastated by the flooding and is in immediate need of a minimum of 3,000 of the following items:
- Soap, body wash, bath wipes and facial tissues
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Hairbrushes and combs
- Disposable razors and shaving cream
- Deodorant
- Feminine hygiene products
- First aid kits and items included in first aid kits
- Fans and dehumidifiers
- Hand sanitizer
The Mayor also highlighted that the State has set up an Eastern Kentucky flooding fund. “Monetary donations are one of the best ways to ensure the people of Eastern Kentucky have what they need to recover.” To donate to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund, visit https://secure.kentucky.gov/FormServices/Finance/EKYFloodRelief
SOS trucks will be parked in front of Metro Hall at 527 W. Jefferson Street on Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. so residents can drop off hygiene products. The Mayor stressed that donations be limited to the essential items listed above.
SOS is bringing its expertise and resources to help with medical and health needs of residents impacted by the Eastern Kentucky flooding. The coordination and appropriate deployment of aid is critical to ensuring an equitable and responsible delivery of medical supplies. As a lead global health organization with experience in disaster relief, SOS is facilitating matching needs from hospitals and clinics across the impacted area with available supplies from SOS and its network of partner hospitals.
Denise Sears, SOS President & CEO, was with the SOS team on its delivery of 42,000 medical supplies to Whitesburg on Sunday and witnessed the impact from these record-setting floods. “The scenes of devastation were heartbreaking, and it is important to help them recover as quickly as possible by making sure our efforts are coordinated and responding to a full needs assessment,” she said.
Following her visit on Sunday, Sears spent most of Monday reaching out to clinics and healthcare organizations across the region to match available aid to their needs. “SOS donates medical supplies across the world, and we are actively donating supplies in Eastern Kentucky, but we also need to donate our expertise and time to make sure each impacted organization is getting all of the resources needed.”
Additionally, Metro Hall and the City Hall Clock Tower will be lighted in green Tuesday, Aug. 2, and remain so until sundown Monday, Aug. 8 in honor of Kentuckians lost to or impacted by the historic flooding in Eastern Kentucky.
To learn more about the Whitesburg Medical Clinic, visit https://www.mchcky.com/locations-2
