On August 4th, 2023, me and my family suffered a flash flood in Union City, TN. I paid my rent the night before. I didn’t sleep at all that night because of the rain. At around 5:30 AM, I heard an unusual noise, I got up and opened my front door to see the whole trailer park flooded with about 4 feet of water. I lost my car and most of my belongings. I felt totally overwhelmed and devastated. Thanks to the Red Cross (Brandy Rhodes), we were able to stay in a motel and shelter until we were able to find a more permanent place. Brandy had got information on a place and about the same time, I saw a newscast offering help to those affected by the flood; little did I know we both had Camp G.R.A.V.E.S.’s information. Camp G.R.A.V.E.S. saved us, literally, by providing a safe place for me and my disabled daughter, and son and his wife. I was able to continue my schooling, I started college on July 10th to be a medical office assistant with billing and coding; I currently carry a 3.8 GPA. My daughter was able to get into an online program to get her GED and has been studying to take the test. I had knee replacement surgery in October and was able to stay in the camper and make it to therapy from Camp G.R.A.V.E.S.My camper was wonderful, we were able to keep our pets. We felt safe in our environment, as there are no drugs and alcohol allowed on the property; this is wonderful because even though these are legal, they cause abuse in the family. Camp G.R.A.V.E.S. is about safety to families and children and a wonderful, safe place to be in case of an emergency situation. After staying in Camp G.R.A.V.E.S. for about 4 months, we were able to find permanent housing, and we moved January 1st, 2024. I left Camp G.R.A.V.E.S. with a home, a job, and my education intact and feeling like I was supported the whole way. I truly thank Cassy Basham and Micah Seavers for what they are doing in Graves County, KY. Not only are they helping flood victims, but they are also helping tornado victims from the Mayfield, KY tornado over a year ago.
I’m so thankful for learning about Camp Graves. I had no idea there was a resource of this kind in our area!
We are so thankful for the beautiful place to live and the community of care we received.
After 4 months of looking and saving money, we are finally in housing, and we couldn’t have done it without Camp G.R.A.V.E.S.
