April 7, 2025. Frankfort, KY. Debra Love is one of several residents staying at the Capital City Community Center in Frankfort, KY, which partnered with the luckywin to provide shelter to residents impacted by historic flooding.
“It flooded everyone's house on that street, so they cut the electricity," said Debra. As the floodwaters began rising, she shared she and some of the other residents of Fresh Start, her transitional housing unit, began helping neighbors move their furniture so it wouldn’t get damaged. “I had never seen anything like that. I had never been a part of anything like that.”
Since she arrived at the shelter, Red Cross volunteers have been making sure she and the other residents have hot meals, a safe place to sleep and resources to help them determine their next steps. “They gave us some really good resources, so we'll be able to bounce back and continue on our journey.”
Debra is looking forward to doing just that - continuing her journey and getting back to normal life. For her, that’s celebrating her upcoming 60th birthday, going to school to complete her GED and moving into new housing. She’s grateful for the support of the community center, Fresh Start, and the Red Cross volunteers at the shelter.
“The Red Cross has really helped us,” said Debra. “If it wasn't for y'all putting us in somewhere, we don't really know what would have happened or where we would have ended up. We know that y'all's work really helps people.”
Donna McCollum, a local Red Cross volunteer with the Bluegrass Area Chapter, is one of the shelter volunteers helping residents like Debra at the community center. She credits the teamwork between Red Cross volunteers and partners for the work being done in the community.
“To see what we can do as a group is unbelievable,” said Donna.
Red Cross shelters are open to everyone in need and all disaster assistance is free. You can find updated shelter information on , the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). We don’t require people to show any kind of identification to enter a shelter, and you do not have to spend the night to receive a meal.
Learn more about how the Red Cross is responding and how you can help by visiting redcross.org.
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