606 Camp raised money for flood relief but also uplifted spirits of UK players (W/ Photos)

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Photos by Nancy King/Debbie Green

Cassidy Rowe loves her eastern Kentucky roots and the Kentucky freshman basketball player has been overwhelmed by the damage the recent flooding has had in her home area.

“It is heartbreaking to see all the damage and loss my community has faced. Just knowing that my family is safe and here with me means the world to me but my heart breaks for my community and those who lost their homes and everything else,” said Rowe.

“I got to see first-hand some of the houses totally damaged by water when I went home (to Virgie). Everything in houses had mud on it and it was so sad to see people lose everything and have to start over. We have had whole communities step up and do everything they can from delivering hot meals, water and cleaning supplies to helping clean up. People in my community are so good.”

That includes Rowe and current UK teammates Blair Green and Emma King along with former Wildcat Maci Morris — who are all from the 606 area code. They put on the 606 Basketball Camp at North Laurel High School that had 60 participants and raised about $3,000 for eastern Kentucky flood relief.

“Not only was it for a great cause but it also got our spirits lifted. We had some special kids at the camp,” Rowe said. “It made us all feel great. We had some kids from eastern Kentucky, including one who lost her home.”

The camp idea came from Green and her mother, Debbie. The camp got a big boost when UK men’s basketball commit Reed Sheppard got back from vacation in time to make a surprise appearance.

“The fact he showed up meant a lot,” Rowe said. “He is a big role model to those kids. It was really kind of him to do that.”

Rowe knows how important high school and youth sports are in eastern Kentucky but also understands even adults know what to do in this crisis.

“The kids, nobody should have to go through this, especially to be so young and potentially lose everything,” Rowe said. “Sports is a big part of getting their minds off everything going on. Kids need to be able to just have some fun and get their minds off things. That’s going to be important in upcoming months, and maybe even years. This flood is going to affect us for a long time.”

So what would Rowe recommend UK fans or anyone wanting to help should do?

“Any donations they could give would be amazing and so needed,” the UK freshman said. “But the most important thing to do is pray and pray we get peace and healing that will get us through this hard time.”

Photos by Debbie Blair/Nancy King

606 Camp

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