Craig Floyd is the co-founder of Restore Education After Disasters (READ), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students regain a sense of normalcy and continue their education following natural disasters. Craig's inspiration to start READ came after his own school was affected by a devastating fire, leading him to realize the lack of support for students in such situations. With a passion for rebuilding schools and providing essential supplies, Craig and his team have already made a significant impact by distributing over 5,000 backpacks to students in need.

Podcast Highlights:

0:10 - Introduction to the impact of natural disasters on individuals' emotional and physical health.

0:40 - Welcoming Craig Floyd, co-founder of Restore Education After Disasters (READ).

1:13 - Craig's personal experience with a fire that ravaged his school and inspired him to start READ.

2:07 - The determination to reopen the school and the desire to give back to others in similar situations.

3:03 - Kenny Chesney's interview on radio sparks the idea of starting a foundation to help schools rebuild after natural disasters.

3:54 - The unique approach of READ in providing assistance to school children and helping schools rebuild.

4:27 - Impactful achievement: Providing over 5,000 backpacks to students in need across the United States and Ukrainian refugee students.

5:05 - Catering to different grade levels with two different backpack options.

6:07 - Possibility of expanding support to include tablets and digital learning tools in the future.

7:01 - Challenges in obtaining donations and partnerships with corporations.

8:01 - Engaging volunteers, including students, to assemble backpacks and deliver them to affected areas.

9:11 - Break to highlight Chezuba, a platform connecting volunteers with nonprofit organizations worldwide.

10:19 - The desire to collaborate with corporations for supplies and support.

11:09 - The importance of spreading the word and increasing visibility to reach more people in need.

12:16 - Progress made in reaching students in multiple states and the hope for continued growth.

12:37 - A call for angel donors or individuals with the means to support disaster relief and education.

13:19 - The overlooked aspect of education in the aftermath of a natural disaster and the need for dedicated support.

This podcast episode features an insightful conversation with Craig Floyd, shedding light on the critical role education plays in the recovery process after disasters and the importance of providing support to students and schools during these challenging times.