Operation UNITE and PRIDE staff members are accepting donations of items to assist Pike County residents victimized by flash flooding over the weekend.

“Everything is needed right now – from baby wipes to furniture,” said Karen Engle, UNITE director. “Several rural communities have been devastated and thousands of families affected. Many people have lost everything they own.”

Anyone wishing to provide donations for the relief efforts may bring them to any of UNITE’s regional offices in Prestonsburg (606-889-0422), Hazard (606-487-3700), London (606-330-1400) and Somerset (606-677-6179 or 1-866-678-6483).

A trailer load of items was transported by the non-profit organizations Monday afternoon. Items included bottled water and toiletry items from UNITE and PRIDE, 80 cases of sports drinks from the London-Laurel County Tourism Commission, and clothing and five pallets of dry food goods from the Christian Shelter for the Homeless in London.

“We know from last year’s flooding relief that people want to help, but don’t have a way to get their items to those in need,” Engle noted. “We will make sure everything is delivered to Pike County’s emergency services providers for distribution.”

In addition, UNITE staff was in Pike County Monday morning to help answer calls for assistance and to deliver items.

“There’s no words to describe it,” said UNITE Coalition Coordinator Tom Vicini, who had been in the Harless Creek and Raccoon Creek communities. “The destruction left me sick and heartbroken. It’s devastating.”