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Kentucky Basketball, Football Teams Rally Support for Flood Relief Donation Drive

On3 imageby:Tyler Thompson•02/19/25•

MrsTylerKSR

Still via @KentuckyMBB/Twitter
Still via @KentuckyMBB/Twitter

Snow and bitterly cold temperatures are just the latest issues many communities across the Bluegrass are dealing with today after this weekend’s torrential rains. The death toll from the flooding climbed to 14 yesterday, with Eastern Kentucky being particularly hard hit, including some areas that had just rebuilt from the 2022 floods. There are ways you can help.

Tonight, UK Athletics and UK Police and Facilities Management will be accepting donations for flood relief victims outside of Rupp Arena on High Street (between Rupp and the Hyatt) from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There are also donation spots set up on campus. The Kentucky Men’s Basketball and Football teams took to social media today to encourage fans to participate in the flood relief donation drive.

Trent Noah, a native of Harlan, starts the basketball team’s video, while Eddyville’s Travis Perry takes over toward the end. Although the rest of the Wildcats hail from outside of the state, Mark Pope took his players to Hazard during the offseason for some team bonding, during which they built houses for those impacted by past floods.

Mark Stoops starts the football team’s video, which also includes Willie Rodriguez, Malachi Wood, Josh Kattus, Cutter Boley, Hayes Johnson, Ty Bryant, and Brad White.

“The recent flooding we’ve had in Kentucky has an impact throughout the Commonwealth. Our hearts and our prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” Stoops said.

UK asks that you avoid donating clothing and used household items. Needed items include:

  • Non-perishable foods
  • Paper goods (toilet paper, paper towels)
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Bottled water

“We’re pretty excited about doing a drive for the game on Wednesday,” Mark Pope said on his call-in show earlier this week. “We’re inviting everybody that comes out to the game to bring any type of donations — non-perishable foods, paper goods, cleaning supplies, and bottled water. We’ll have a massive 18-wheeler on High Street as you walk into the gym and we’re going to get that delivered as quickly as we can. That’s just the first thing — the first of many — we’ll be doing to help our brothers and sisters of Eastern Kentucky.”

If you can’t make it to the game, donations are also being accepted at these locations on UK’s campus:

  • Gatton Student Center
    Student Government Association office on the first floor
    160 Avenue of Champions
    Lexington, KY 40508
     
  • Chandler Hospital
    Pavilion A Information Desk
    1000 S Limestone
    Lexington, KY 40508 

John and Ellen Calipari donate to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund

If you’d like to make a financial contribution, consider Governor Beshear’s Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund. That’s what John Calipari and his wife Ellen did on Tuesday, another reminder of their ongoing affection and support for their old Kentucky home.

“Thoughts and prayers go out to the victims in Eastern Kentucky,” Calipari wrote on social media. “Many friends from the area have been sending pictures and sharing the stories. So sad to see the devastation in communities that were already trying to recover from the last natural disaster.

“My heart breaks for the 14 people who lost their lives, may they rest in peace. Ellen and I will be making a donation to Governor Beshears [sic] relief fund. We may no longer be residents of Kentucky but know the power of the community and what they can do when they come together. Please join us in donating to the relief fund if you are able.”

It comes as no surprise given their years of community service in the Commonwealth, but good on ya, Cal and Ellen.

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2025-02-20