Evelyn Miller has been the Executive Director of the Western Kentucky Red Cross for almost the last six years. But Friday was her last day leading the organization.
Miller’s journey with the Red Cross began in January of 2000, the day after a tornado swept through Owensboro leaving hundreds of homes damaged and many without power.
Then in 2008, she became the emergency services director for the next four years. She left for a bit to live in Florida but moved back in 2015 to take over as executive director.
As the director, Miller said she has been able to travel Western Kentucky and southern Illinois to share the community’s story with “the best people in the country.”
In the years Miller was director, her staff and volunteers responded to more than a thousand house fires and opened many shelters for tornadoes, winter storms, wind storms, flooding and other disasters.
“We’ve also collected thousands of units of life-saving blood and now convalescent plasma for COVID-19 patients,” she said. “We have taught thousands of kids disaster preparedness. We’ve installed thousands of sample alarms that help save lives. It doesn’t get better than saving and changing lives. There’s just so much work that has been done.”
Miller said during her time as director, the most heartbreaking event she witnessed was the response to the Marshall County High School shooting in January of 2018.
“Honestly, I didn’t know Red Cross was as involved with such incidents,” she said. “I stayed in Marshall County for 13 days working alongside volunteers to assist with families affected, responders, school officials and others to provide food and comfort. It was humbling to be there from start to finish. I still have the photos of Bailey and Preston (the kids that lost their life) on the shelf by my desk to remind me why we get up every morning to do what Red Cross does best — provide comfort and support to those in need.”
She said it has humbling to be a part of this team.
Miller is not leaving the Red Cross for another job. She plans on focusing on the Windy Hollow Restaurant and the Windy Hollow Speedway.
“I will also have time to do more volunteer work at Red Cross and other organizations,” she said. “I would like to serve on a nonprofit board or even be open to another work opportunity if it comes my way at some point.”
Miller said the position will be posted soon but no date has been announced for her replacement.
“I’ll certainly miss our awesome volunteers and staff who provides so much support and encouragement,” she said. “I’ve been so blessed to be a part of this wonderful team.”
