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It’s not often you see students rally together to support victims of a tragic disaster.

However, in the aftermath of floods that devastated eastern Kentucky, a spark of hope and support comes through the hallways of George Rogers Clark High School.

On Saturday, September 10, approximately sixteen students will make their way to Martin, Kentucky, with a bevy of items to be donated to victims in Floyd County and elsewhere.

Donations will continue to be accepted through Friday, September 9.

“We’re trying to gather supplies so that we can bring some needed items with us, and then we’re also going to stay and provide whatever service makes sense for that day,” said English teacher Eloise Lynch. “We have a lot of people in the community with family further east. I think many of us had more of a visceral reaction to the news.”

The students will work with the Christian Appalachian Project, a non-profit organization, at their Louis T. Foley Mission Center.

One objective for students is to sort through materials. However, they may also work one-to-one with individuals impacted by the flooding.

As of Tuesday, September 7, many of the items donated so far include a variety of non-perishable goods and cleaning supplies.

Though all donations are welcome, there is also an opportunity to provide bottled water, toiletries, new clothes, sheets, dog/cat food, diapers, and even baby food.

For Lynch, along with assisting others, the goal is for students to grow.

“I hope that the impact that does come will be felt by our students,” she said. “[I hope that] they’ll have just a greater sense of humanity. I hope that our students who are present and witness people’s profound difficulties will wake up a little bit to the wider world and be a little more outward looking.”