BSCTC, WSIP, COMMUNITY PARTNERS RAISE MORE THAN $60,000 FOR FLOOD VICTIMS IN JOHNSON COUNTY | BSCTC

    BSCTC, WSIP, COMMUNITY PARTNERS RAISE MORE THAN $60,000 FOR FLOOD VICTIMS IN JOHNSON COUNTY

    The Wal-Mart Foundation donated $15,000 to the Johnson County Long-Term Recovery Group during the Operation Helping Hands Radio-Thon on Saturday, July 18 at WSIP in Paintsville. The event was coordinated by Big Sandy Community and Technical College, Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Paintsville/Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, Floyd County Chamber of Commerce, Appalachian Wireless and WSIP. Shown are: Bobby McCool, chief institutional officer at BSCTC and chair of the Johnson County Long-Term Recovery Group; Brad Bartley, store manager of Paintsville Wal-Mart; Bob Gound, regional human resources manager for Wal-Mart; and Joshua Ball, director of college relations at BSCTC. Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC), in conjunction with WSIP FM, the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Paintsville/Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, Floyd County Chamber of Commerce and Appalachian Wireless, raised more than $60,000 for flood victims in Johnson County on Saturday, July 18 during a radio-thon on WSIP (98.9 FM).

    All proceeds will benefit the Johnson County Long-Term Recovery Group.

    We are so proud to be able to partner with so many organizations to host the radio-thon, said BSCTC President Dr. Devin Stephenson. Members of our community are going through a very difficult time, and we want them to know that we are here to assist them through this recovery effort.

    The Mayo campus of BSCTC is being used by the American Red Cross as a shelter. Dr. Stephenson said the college didnt hesitate in its decision to allow the Red Cross to utilize the Mayo campus.

    Were going to build, bigger and stronger than ever, and we are going to do this through the love and compassion of our communities, he added.

    Joshua Ball, director of College Relations at BSCTC, said the radio-thon demonstrated something we all take for granted Eastern Kentucky is a great place to live.
    In times of disaster, we answer the call, he said. We lend a helping hand and pick up our neighbors in our time of need. We have a long road ahead of us, but we have a community behind us standing ready and willing to meet the challenges.

    The radio-thon included a live interview with Johnson County native and Nashville recording artist Chris Stapleton, as well as Nick Jamerson from Sundy Best. Jamerson and Kris Bentley, who make up Sundy Best, will perform a benefit concert on Wednesday at Johnson Central High School. The show begins at 7 p.m.

    Stapleton and Sundy Best donated autographed merchandise to be given away during the event. Ball said he would also like to thank the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, the Cincinnati Reds, 78 Dezynes and Moments of the Heart Photography for donating gifts as well.