Many of you people that have been members for a long time know Cathy Frazier from Nashville (her member name is Gillgrantfan). Well I just found out from Jenny that Cathy lost everything today in the Nashville flood. She lost her housing, her car and all of her clothes and contents of her home. My heart is just breaking for her...she is a very sweet lady with a big heart and I want to do whatever I can to help her out in this horrible time. If any of you are interested in banding together please contact me and we can certainly do what we can to be of any help that we can at this time. The flooding has been like no other in Nashville and the city is under a state of emergency.
My email address is lmallory@cogeco.net if you would like to help.
I will get in touch with Cathy as soon as I can and update you all with what I find out. I know that jenny has been in contact so hopefully she has more info as to how cathy is doing.

My heart definately goes out to Cathy and everyone else affected by this flooding! I've been reading the Twitter postings and it seems like the attempted bombing at Times Square yesterday and a soap opera star dying is getting more news than the disaster in Tennessee! I seem to recall something similar happening in New Orleans a few years ago where a lake overflowed after a dam broke and the dang flooding was given top headlines for a month while something similar is now happening in Nashville (although no dam break) and the only news coverage it's getting is local!

I know....it is driving me crazy because all they are talking about is the New York thing and there is no word on the devastation in the south. I have been checking the Tennessean and a friend posted a clip from the Nashville news station....it is unreal!

OMG - this just makes me sick! My heart sank when I was reading about Cathy!!!!! Please share the info as you hear, Leah, and let's rally to help our friend out!

I am going to call her later this morning as I am sure she is exausted and didn't get much sleep. I will definitely keep you all updated and we can come up with a plan to do what we can to help her. I just wish I lived closer to be of more help. I am also worried about maggie and a few other friends that I haven't heard from in town. Alison is fine and wasn't hit thank goodness.

I'm glad Alison is ok. Hope you can find out about Maggie. Are there any others in the Nashville area?

I am not sure....just hoping that everyone has made it to safety and that the govenrment helps those in need.

I just talked to cathy and my heart is asbolutely broken for her. She lost EVERYTHING and has no insurance except for her car insurance. She even lost her job because the building was swept away in the flood. She was just happy that she got out and her dogs got out. She is virtually homeless and is living with her landlord for the time being. Her house will have to be guttted and rebuilt and would you believe she was just happy that she got out with her fan club party ticket??? She sounded good but has had such a hard time. I am looking into starting an account for her at the bank she uses in Nashville so that she can get some necessities that she will be needing. I told her we would have big hugs for her at the party next month. I will be keeping in contact with her to make sure she is doing ok and she said she so appreciates any help at all that we are able to give....jut the sweetest lady!! Her parents have passed and she doesn't have any family near so whatever we can do will be so much appreciated.

I've worked with so many people in Cathys situation, my heart breaks for her.

When/if Fema declares Individual Assistance, she can appy for help. I suggest she NOT apply before even though she will hear it's ok to do so. She may qualify for some assistance, I can't really state more than that, every case is different. Tell her to call me if she has questions, extremely important to do the initial application correctly!

Pam- I hope Cathy calls you. She will definitely need your guidance. Why don't you get her number from Leah and you make the call to her. Cathy seems so shy and may not call you for fear of 'bothering' you. I know I would appreciate your guidance in that situation!

Cathy will be in my prayers. Hope we can all pull together and show her our support in some way. Working with her bank in Nashville sounds like an excellent idea. I just can't even imagine what I would be feeling like if I were in her shoes. Just have to thank God that Cathy is okay.....material things can be replaced. Don't mean to minimize that loss because I'm sure there's a lot of sentiment there but I'm just so glad Cathy was not harmed physically.

Leah, please let us know what we can do, k? I think I may have some clothes that Cathy can have and am willing to drive up to Nashville with them as soon as things are clear and it's safe to travel up that way. If you speak with Cathy again, see if you can find out her size and I'll see what I have, k? You can email me the info or send it thru FB or a message here on the board.

It would be great if you can get an account set up for her at her bank. We'd love to participate in that as well...

I have spoken to Cathy's bank and have left her a message that she needs to get in there herself to set up a donation account. Once the account is set up I will get the account number and information and we can start donating whatever we can so that she can start to get the necessities that she needs. Becky I will definitely find out about the clothes....I am sure every bit helps. Pam also came up with a good idea of collecting gift cards for Cathy at the fan club party and giving them to her when we see her. I am working on several other things that will hopefully help her out and cheer her up...bless her heart!
I knew that the Vince Gill Fan Club family would all band together for one of our own....all of you have such amazing hearts.

That's great, Leah. I love the gift card idea.

I would like to do whatever I can to help Cathy. She is one of the first people I met from the fan club, and she is such a sweet person. Please keep us posted on the bank account, and anything else she can use. I won't be at the fan club party, but could send somethings to her.

I'm in the UK, but would like to help in any way I can. Thanks Leah for making us aware of Cathy's situation.

Thanks Leah for doing all of this. I've been in contact with Maggie and she is ok.

Alison how is Vince and Amy i know they have a big event this weekend

Pam, was just reading on The Tennessean's website that the Gov. signed the paperwork today to declare a National Disaster for federal assistance so FEMA can come in to help out.

hey all Cathy sent me a text for us to Give her Money email me or pm me if you want my number or pm me with your Cell number if you have text messaging

Hey Val, Fema is out there, just not in public view yet. As fast as they try to move, it still takes time... waters need to recede, damage assesments to be done, buildings found, rented, staff comes from all over the country, logistics nightmares...but we are on contract to deploy within 12-24 hours notice so once the set up gets going, things happen quickly. Hoping I get this deployment, but most likely not. But I'll be there anyway for Vinces party!

Keith Urban was just on CNN, said there will be many benefit concerts to come. This city has lots of wealthy musicians willing to help their neighbors which will really be beneficial to the community to recover quickly.

I now have the donation account information if anyone is interested in helping Cathy at this time. I have emailed those of you that have contacted me via email. If you would like to help please email me at lmallory@cogeco.net and i will forward the account information to you.

Cathy wants everyone here to know that she appreciates this help more than any of us could ever know. She is devastated by what has happened but is trying to stay as positive as she can. She will be at the fan club party in June.

Thank you for taking care of this for Cathy, Leah. I hope we can all band together as a fan-family to help out one of ours.

Fema may come in and help her get some kind of housing - but she still needs clothing/food/cleaning stuff and a car. I know she needs some help.

Thanks for setting this up... I did just email you for the info.

Rhonda

Rhonda do you have facebook

No, I don't use Facebook. Leah emailed me the info.

Can't thank you enough for getting this set up, Leah. Please let us know if there are any other immediate needs from Cathy.

Thank YOU all that are helping out....I am just the messenger to get a ball rolling but it is everyone here that is helping out so much. For those of you that have asked for the account info...please email me again if I haven't emailed you back with the info. I spoke to the bank this morning and have all of the updated info that we need to make deposits.
Also if any of you are interested in donating a gift card to cathy (whether it be to a restaurant, target, grocery store etc) please bring it to the fan club party and we will put them all in a gift basket to give her that day. I have a few other items coming for the basket that I think will make cathy's day.
Becky...I do have a PO Box address for Cathy if you want to send those clothes we were talking about I can give you the address. Cathy says that the people there know her situation and will accept packages on her behalf.

Thanks again all.....there are no other fans like Vince's fans.

Glad to hear the gift basket is a go. After the immediate disaster and rush of things to do is being handled, most people experience a depression of sorts and this will hopefully help lift her spirits. Even discount coupons would be something to consider, helps to save money on whatever items she will need to purchase from toothpaste on up!

I just wish I lived closer to be able to help more people. With so many people in need right now it is just heartbreaking to know that there are so many people that are just turning a blind eye to those in need and so many people that just aren't aware of the devastation. I was thinking that it would be a great idea to either have a food drive or used clothing drive at the fan club party to help Nashville even in a small capacity. I have emailed johanna about the idea...what do you all think of the idea?
I am so happy that we are able to help out Cathy as much as possible...this is just an extention of us Vince fans helping the city we all love so much.

I'm on board for anything I can do Leah

And also don't forget to donate to the Red Cross.

That sounds like a good idea to me.

Sounds good to me, Leah.

We are driving so I am definitely able to bring clothing, food whatever and I can also buy some supplies while in town. Will wait to hear from johanna to see what she will allow us to do at the party.

Just wanted to update everyone on Cathy. I just got off the phone with her and it looks like she might have somewhere to move into. They are working on the house and she has to pay to turn on the electricty and might be able to move in next week. There are no appliances but she said she will make due. She was happy because she found out that someone had found something that her mother had left to her and it was one of 2 items that she was able to save from the flood....the other item being a hatch show print of Vince and Amy. Everything else was lost....all her clothing and shoes were not able to be saved so she was happy that she was able to get to Walmart to buy a pair of $14 dollar pants and a few other necessities....bless her heart. Again she wanted me to let you all know how thankful she is for the help. At this point she is totally starting over so I am sure anything she get's will help her in a huge way. 14 people have contacted me to help her and that is just awesome.....that help will go a long way in getting her back on her feet I'm sure.
If anyone else would like to help please email me and I will send you the information needed.

Thanks Leah for the update on Cathy....I mailed the bank a check for her today (Couldn't figure out how to do the transfer online). Hopefully it will make it into her acct shortly.

A good friend of mine in Nashville just contacted me and wants to help Cathy out. She is going to contribute some money to the donation account and also wants Cathy to go to a lunch she is hosting at her house on Sunday. Pam is one of the nicest ladies you would ever want to meet and told me that she wants to talk to Cathy to see how else they can help being that they live so close to her. There are angels on earth and it is amazing to see such compassion pouring out to those that need it most.

That's great to hear, Leah! I have been in touch with Ken O'Neil and he asked for info to make a donation to Cathy as well. So you can add him to numbers of people that are making donations.

I will be calling Cathy first of next week and plan to drive up to Nashville one day next week with some things for her. I plan to take a computer up to her so I'm hoping she will be back online soon!

i been Calling Cathy everyday trying to keep her Head up i am so happy that all of you are helping Cathy out i try to tell her funny jokes i know its a long Road for her we all love her on here

That is wonderful becky! We are up to 18 people strong in helping her out now. It will be a long road for her as she has to start all over again but just knowing that she has this support behind her will make a world of difference I think. Nobody wants to be alone in a situation like this and the outpouring of love for her is truly amazing! I have only met cathy a few times and some of you have never met her and to see that so many care is just awesome!

****CATHY UPDATE*****(I feel like a news reporter...lol)

I just got off the phone with Cathy and had to share. She called because she was so excited to be in a new house. She was able to rent a house for the same money as her old place because it is in need of alot of work. Her landlord was nice enough to give her a few old beds that she had and she still has to get a fridge but she was happy to be able to have the electricity and water turned on and is able to stay there tonight. So it is still a little shaky but she has a roof over her head and is off to a good start. Fema told her that they would contact her in about a week and she is still waiting to hear from her insurance company about what they are doing about her car. She will need everything from towel to dishes to clothes etc but the money we were able to pool together will definitely help her get started with that. She wanted me to tell everyone again how so very thankfull she is for the help that so many have been able to give. I think she is still shocked at the outpouring of love and concern and told me she doesn't know how to thank everyone enough (bless her heart).
So that is the daily update. Becky is going out to see Cathy on Friday with a computer and some supplies so maybe she can update us on how she is doing when she gets home.

So glad to hear she has a place to live A long road ahead, but every step hopefully will make things a little better for her!! She is in my thoughts and prayers
Krissie

That's great news, Leah! I'm so glad to hear that Cathy has a new place!

I'll be calling Cathy tomorrow to find out where her new place is so I can take her these things on Friday. Hopefully, we can get Cathy back online!

I'll 'report' back after my trip in Friday. I'm anxious to get these things up to Cathy and get a chance to talk to her and see what else she is in need of at the moment. But on the other hand, I'm sure that it's going to be rather sad to see with my own eyes what has happened to Nashville. I feel like I'm mourning for this city and all the wonderful people that live there and have lost so much.

You all are awesome and I am so priveleged to be associated with you and Leah just start out your postings with :

Breaking News

My heart just swells with pride hearing all the great things the fans are doing to help a fellow fan! GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

Becky - give Cathy a BIG FAN HUG from us all! And bless you and Bruce for your wonderful Christian heart! Leah - can't brag enough on YOU, girl! I hope that all of us make a difference in Cathy's life because of you getting the ball rolling!!!

AWESOME FAN CLUB we have here, folks!!

BREAKING NEWS (That one was for you anna)


I just want to say that I am so proud to be in the fold of such loving and caring people. When I found out about Cathy's situation I immediately put out the call for help because I know that there are no kinder people than Vince's fans. I want you to know that as of yesterday there was almost $2000 deposited into Cathy's donation account and I know that there is still money on the way. What an amazing outpouring of generosity from loving people that dropped everything knowing that someone (we all hardly know) was in such need. This money will help Cathy start to rebuild her life and get situated in her new place.
As a group we have made a lasting difference in someone's life and life story ...how amazing is that?
Thank you all so much for being on board with this....you are angels.

I definitely will pass along that BIG FAN HUG to Cathy tomorrow!

I'm looking forward to seeing her tomorrow! I'm just so happy she has been able to get a new place and so happy and thankful for all the generosity of all the folks here!

Thanks again for organizing all of this, Leah. Vince's fans definitely have big hearts, but we also needed someone to take it upon themselves to get the ball rolling!!!

Thanks for the update on Cathy's situation, I'm so glad that she has somewhere to live. I was able to get to the post office today and send some money for the bank to put in her account. I will be coming to the fan club party next month and will be happy to contribute further. Look forward to hearing your update Becky, I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like she has been in mourning.

I think a lot of us think of Nashville as our 2nd home. It just hurts see this happen to all these places that we love so much and to know what people like Cathy are going through. It's just heartbreaking...

On a good note, I have been in touch with Cathy and everything is a 'go' for the trip to Nashville to see her tomorrow! Cathy and I are both directionally challenged, so I hope I'm able to find her...LOL!