Here's how you can help with tornado relief efforts:
Just a few days after tornadoes ripped through Indiana and Kentucky we're still trying to get a handle on the extent of damage and what we can do to help. The main thrust of the media campaign is encouraging people to make cash donations to the Red Cross. While the Red Cross does do good work some people want to do more.
I applaud those individuals who took it upon themselves to rent trailers, collect donations on their own, and make a contact in a devastated area to deliver to. Those people are the backbone of America. The neighbors we count on. The neighbors we should all want to be. To them, Good job!
All official reports are that West Liberty is at capacity with donations, and no more are required at this time. (Except for cash.)
West Liberty seems to be getting the focus of the media and thus the relief efforts, but please understand there were many communities affected by the storms on Friday. Just because they are saying West Liberty doesn't need donations that doesn't mean no donations are needed at all.
Today we spoke with an official from Magoffin County, and their situation is different than West Liberty. They very much still need donations, and they are having no problems getting them into the hands of people who need them.
Northeast Christian Church in Lexington has partnered with the Magoffin County Fire Department to assist in delivering much-needed items to Salyersville residents who are recovering from the devastation of Friday's tornado. If you would like to contribute to their efforts, here's how you can help:
Drop off donations at Northeast Christian Church, located at 990 Star Shoot Parkway in Hamburg between 8:30am and 5pm through THIS FRIDAY, March 9. The church will be sending a team to deliver the items on Saturday, March 10.
NEEDED:
Bottled water
Non-perishable food items (soup, peanut butter, crackers, snack items that don't require much preparation/heating. The county is under a boil water advisory)
Clean-up supplies including work gloves, latex gloves, hand tools, rakes, bleach,clorox wipes, brooms, etc.
Paper plates, plastic cups, utensils, paper towels
For more information, please contact Northeast Christian Church: 859-299-1251
(Here's an interview we did with Todd Fox of North East Christian Church in Lexington, KY today about their efforts.)
Today I also spoke with Emmette Thompson of Mission of Hope. They have already sent two truck loads into the affected areas through a ministry they support year-round. They are working closely with Alice Lloyd College to assess the needs of their students' families. We will have more information on that in the coming days.
To be sure there is currently a lot of work to be done, and there will be no shortage of hard work in the coming weeks or even months.
Thank you for your willingness and desire to help your neighbors.
