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By Bill McCann

Columnist

Individuals and communities throughout much of Eastern Kentucky have been devastated by the recent floods. Governor Beshear, FEMA, and volunteers have worked tirelessly to help those individuals, businesses, and communities get back on their feet. And indeed, those should have priority. But arts organizations, including perhaps the region’s best-known arts organization, the Hindman Settlement School, also need help.

On Sunday, August 28th, there will be a fundraiser to benefit the Hindman Settlement School in Knott County. Troublesome: Flood Disaster Relief Fundraiser will run from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Luigart Gallery, 110 Luigart Ct, Lexington. The eleven speakers and readers will be Robert Gipe, Silas House, George Ella Lyon, Maurice Manning, and Marriane Worthington.

Asked why she was arranging for this fundraiser, poet Cathy Perkins said, “Over the years, my mentors, teachers, peers, and friends talked with love about the Hindman Settlement School and the Appalachian Writers Workshop (AWW). When I saw pictures of the devastation from the floods and somewhere saw footage of water flowing through and past Hindman Settlement School, a voice in my brain said, ‘do something.’ I went with my gut and my passion and contacted one of my teachers, Leatha Kendrick, about doing the fundraiser.”

“The line-up of authors,” continued Perkins, “is all because of Leatha Kendrick. What originally started out as me wishing for 4 or 5 authors has turned into what you see today, with possibly more in the audience.”

Luigart Street is one block north of York Street off North Limestone. Doors will open about 15 minutes before the event. A minimum donation of $10 is requested. Larger donations will be appreciated. All funds raised will go to the Hindman Settlement School. Attendance is capped at 100.

The Hindman Settlement School’s many programs include educational and arts programs for children and adults, ranging from children with dyslexia to the Appalachian Writers’ Workshop to Fireside Industries (a literary imprint) to a folk arts education program. More information about Hindman Settlement School can be found on their website https://hindman.org

The fundraiser to benefit the Hindman Settlement School was not organized by the school itself but by Cathy Perkins, Leatha Kendrick, and others independent of the school. Instead, while the school is, according to its website, “training tutors for Dyslexia Intervention,” it is also acting to help with flood cleanup efforts as well.

Anyone unable to attend the fundraiser but wanting to support Hindman Settlement School may make donations directly to the school via  https://hindman.org/donate/.