By: Roxanne Perry
For my son’s 28th birthday this year, we planned a fun and memorable trip to Springfield, Kentucky, right in the heart of Bourbon Country. Our itinerary included visits to several iconic distilleries, with hopes of learning a little, tasting a little more, and celebrating life’s sweetness!
But Mother Nature had other plans.
While on our first tour at Maker’s Mark Distillery, we boarded the shuttle to head over to the gift shop—only to find that the small creek nearby had risen more than five feet in a matter of hours, spilling over the bridge and making it impassable. The rain had turned from a charming backdrop to a real threat. What started as a birthday adventure quickly became a sobering reminder of how quickly life can change.
We were disappointed, sure—but our spoiled plans were nothing compared to the real tragedies unfolding nearby. Hundreds of Kentucky roads were impassable because of floodwaters, downed trees, mud and rock slides, all the while the threat of tornadoes loomed.
That’s when I received a text that filled me with pride and hope: DRAW (Disaster Relief at Work), one of Christ Church Cranbrook’s incredible community partners, was already on the way to assist. Their truck—packed with clean-up buckets and disaster relief kits—and a team of dedicated volunteers were heading straight into the heart of the storm’s aftermath. While many were still reeling from the damage, DRAW showed up with compassion, strength, and the tools needed to begin the hard work of recovery!
Back home, Christ Church Cranbrook had already been partnering with DRAW to collect much-needed supplies through April Item of the Month, and were also planning an outreach event at the DRAW warehouse to help assemble clean-up buckets.
In the wake of flooding, the first stage of recovery often begins with the same spirit of urgency and service described here. Once the immediate danger has passed, the focus shifts to removing standing water, drying affected structures, and salvaging what can still be saved. Flood water damage restoration is not only about repairing buildings, but also about helping families and communities regain a sense of normalcy after overwhelming loss.
That same commitment to swift and organized response is reflected in the work of Water Damage Restoration Salt Lake City, where restoration efforts center on both immediate cleanup and long-term structural recovery. From moisture extraction to preventing mold and material deterioration, each step helps transform disaster-stricken spaces into places of safety again. In many ways, this restoration work carries forward the same compassion and practical support that disaster relief volunteers bring in those critical first hours.
Though I had set out on a weekend of celebration, I was powerfully reminded of the resilience and service that make a real difference—and the impact we can have when we’re ready and willing to show up for one another. If you’re looking for a way to make a real difference, join us on Saturday, May 3, to help pack clean-up buckets, get to know our partner DRAW, and serve alongside some truly inspiring people. You just might fill someone else’s bucket—and your own. Visit www.ccc-info.org/draw to sign-up to volunteer!