The Friday Finish - Donations Funding Meals - Finishing Strong, Together - "...a heart to serve and care..." - Notre Dame Law - Down Memory Lane
- Tim Crawford
- 14 minutes ago
- 8 min read
October 24, 2025
Elderly Meals Continue Thanks to Private Donations
Low income elderly residents living in isolated areas without transportation receiving home-delivered meals from Red Bird Mission Elderly Ministries can relax for a few weeks. Compassionate individuals and churches learning about the potential shutdown of vital meals have stepped up to make donations totaling over $65,000 with over $40,000 coming this month. Red Bird Mission staff have estimated another $20,000 is needed to keep meal deliveries going through December 31st.
Government reimbursement that had been funding about half of the $180 cost per month per person was abruptly cut off at the end of September. Little was done in the political world until last Friday when the Budget Director for the Commonwealth of Kentucky issued a letter to a legislative committee stating $9.1 million has been reallocated to Senior Meals for the entire state.
Unfortunately, Red Bird Mission and other organizations that are honoring the contracts for elderly meal delivery in the Cumberland Valley Area Development District are still awaiting information regarding when funds will come, or how much will be coming, to offset their October through December costs of feeding nutritionally vulnerable senior citizens. Tracy Nolan, Red Bird Mission Community Outreach Director has contacted the Development District daily for status on resumption of state funding in her efforts to manage the funds needed to pay food and fuel vendors for program expenses. There has been no substantive response.
Help us prevent elder hunger in the mountains. Please consider making a significant gift to help secure Elderly Meal Deliveries through December 31st. A gift of $180 covers the cost for one person for one month, and will cover the gap of expenses for two people if state funding is reinstated. You can make a one-time gift or set up a monthly gift online, or simply mail a check to Red Bird Mission, Inc., 70 Queendale Ctr, Beverly, KY 40913-9607.
Red Bird Volleyball: Finishing Strong, Together
Kayla Smith here, reporting a strong and courageous finish for the Red Bird Lady Cardinals High School Volleyball Season. I’ve watched these girls grow up in our hallways and on our court. As a mom in the stands and as someone who loves these kids like my own, I’m proud beyond words. This season, they played with their whole hearts. You could see it in the way they chased every ball, talked each other through the tough points, and kept showing up for one another when it mattered most.
On October 16, the message was loud and clear. You are not alone. We are with you. Our gym turned into a sea of pink for Pink Out Night against Lynn Camp, and both JV and Varsity got the win. It was bigger than volleyball. It was love and unity in every seat and every cheer. We honored breast cancer awareness, survivors, and warriors everywhere, and we wrapped our arms around our own. Most of all, we stood proudly with our coach and teacher, Mrs. Akela Smallwood, as she continues her courageous fight. The girls wore pink. The coaches and staff wore pink. The stands wore pink.
Then came Monday, October 20, District Tournament at Jackson County, Red Bird vs OBI. The scoreboard didn’t go our way, but the story wasn’t defeat. The story was about courage. The girls finished this season in warrior style, point for point, never backing down, never giving up. They stayed composed, trusted their instincts, and kept the faith when it got tight. That’s what growth looks like. That’s what heart looks like. Watching them this year, I saw stronger serves, smarter swings, quicker reactions, and a team that learned to breathe and battle together. That’s a win in my book.
To our senior, thank you for the spark and steadiness you gave this team. To our returners and young players, your improvement was real and earned. To the parents and fans who packed the stands and drove the miles, you made our gym a home. To our coaches, especially Mrs. Akela, your leadership and courage shaped something deeper than a season record. We didn’t just finish a season. We finished stronger than we started. That’s the Red Bird way. We’ll carry the lessons, the laughs, the pink ribbons, and the fight into everything that comes next. And when the next first serve of next season rises, we’ll be ready, together.
“…graduated with a heart to serve and care for those in need…”
Red Bird has definitely played a huge part in my story, upbringing, forming, and perspective as a young man. After moving there and starting school at Red Bird in the second grade, it quickly became home. That feeling only got stronger each year as I lived there through high school graduation and beyond.
It would be hard to name everyone that made such a difference in my life, but what I can say is that there definitely were many Red Bird staff, teachers, and coaches who made me feel seen, accepted, and valued. I always felt encouraged and supported in all that I pursued. They all created an atmosphere where they would do all they could for our full potential to be reached.
And most importantly, I was daily shaped and formed in my discipleship to Jesus. This happened as a result of memorable daily prayers and weekly worship at school, from fun and informative youth groups, from an environment that prioritized Christian ethics, and especially from witnessing the lives of all the staff, teachers, and coaches who loved Jesus day in and day out.
I graduated with a heart to serve and care for those in need and that is greatly a result of the heart of all at Red Bird. I also pursued a career where I could help people groups experience Jesus in fresh, communal, and culturally relevant ways. I believe this is also a great result of my time at Red Bird and the community I grew up in that has been shaped by Jesus for many years. This has led me to service and ministry with international students while at the University of Kentucky, as a missionary working with water projects, a children's home and Bible School in Kenya, and currently as a missionary in Albania with my family.
I am grateful to God for my time at Red Bird, for all those who invested in me as a student and friend, and for the place I know will always be home. May God continue to bless the ministries, people, and land of Red Bird.
Mark Fogleman, Class of 2008
Join our Alumni in the Homecoming Challenge
Mark and his fellow alumni recognize the necessity of providing opportunities for today’s generation of students being prepared as Christian leaders to impact the world. Red Bird School alumni are giving back through their service as staff and volunteers at Red Bird Christian School and through their financial gifts.
Every student family at Red Bird Christian School (RBCS) agrees to pay tuition on a sliding scale based on household income which amounts to less than 10% of the actual cost of education. Our alumni have taken leadership in raising funds each fall leading up to the Red Bird School Alumni Association (RBSAA) Homecoming to help cover the gap existing between tuition and actual expense.
Donations by alumni and friends reached topped 60% of the Fall Campaign goal of $100,000 for RBCS by the annual RBSAA meeting on October 11th. The Fall Campaign continues through the end of December to raise the $36,000 is still needed to cover the tuition gap for our current students in the first semester. Please give today online or mail your gift to Red Bird Mission, Inc., 70 Queendale Ctr, Beverly, KY 40913-9607 marked “Homecoming Challenge”, or include Red Bird Christian School in your year-end charitable giving plans. If a direct transfer of stock or investment funds would be more advantageous to you, contact Tim Crawford, Development Director, or Michael Whitehead, Interim Finance Director for account information.
Notre Dame Law Students Assist Red Bird Community
Five (5) Notre Dame Law School students came to Red Bird Mission on Wednesday to offer free legal service at the Free Pro Se Family Law Clinic held at the Red Bird Administration Annex Building from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Seven local residents received assistance with filling out forms for Family Court issues such as custody and divorce that would allow those individuals to represent themselves without paying for legal services.
WYMT-TV in Hazard came to Red Bird Mission to film a report that aired Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. In that report, Charnel Burton, AppalReD’s Legal Aid Pro Bono Director, related how the students become a part of the mountain family through this experience.
One student, Colton Barta, said in the report published,
“It’s been really great to see this part of the country. It’s beautiful. Everyone has been delightful, everyone who we have helped and who has helped us.”
AppalReD Legal Aid has partnered with Red Bird Mission Community Outreach Director Tracy Nolan on several occasions to set up free legal clinics at Red Bird for a variety of legal issues. Another free clinic is scheduled at Red Bird Mission November 12 to assist community residents with Wills, Power of Attorney and Expungements.
A Heartwarming Journey Down Memory Lane at Red Bird
Ruth Schaeffer Walker, a cherished retired member of the Berea hospital community, recently embarked on a nostalgic trip with her closest colleagues. With deep roots in Red Bird, where her father served as a doctor for many years, Ruth was eager to share a piece of her past with friends who'd become akin to family.
The day began with a scenic drive to Red Bird, culminating in lunch at the Cardinal Café and Crafts Center. The lunch buzzed with laughter and camaraderie as Ruth regaled tales of yesteryears, painting vivid pictures of her childhood in the minds of her friends.
Post-lunch, the group ventured to the Red Bird Annex building. Emotions stirred as Ruth's parents’ piano, now proudly displayed, became the focal point of cherished memories. It played a silent symphony, resonating with stories of family gatherings and childhood melodies. As Ruth’s nostalgia danced in her eyes, a testament to the timeless bond of family and home.
A highlight of their tour was Ruth’s father’s medical bag. Bound in worn leather, it spoke of countless journeys and unwavering dedication across the region. Each scuff and mark seemed to whisper tales of compassion and commitment, reminding everyone of the timeless impact of selfless service.
Kelton Adams, Red Bird Mission Director of Economic Opportunities, guided the group through the annex. His insights into the displays enriched the visit, adding layers of understanding to the history and legacy of the region.
In the afternoon, as the sun began its descent, the group—Emily Shaw, Francis McKeon, Brenda Marcum, Betty Linville, Bernice Baird, and Ruth Schaeffer Walker—gathered for a photo. Each face shone with the warmth of camaraderie, framed by the backdrop of a place that held a special place in Ruth's heart.
The visit was a delightful mix of nostalgia, friendship, and discovery. For Ruth and her friends, it was more than a mere trip; it was a meaningful journey through time, woven with tales of love, legacy, and friendship. A day well spent and a memory to cherish forever, it reminded them all of the power of stories and the bonds that tie us to the places we call home.
Submitted by Kelton Adams
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