Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Resources

12/15/2021

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Christian County Chamber of Commerce & South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council partner to be a source of information to assist the regional tornado recovery. 

 

To the Business and Industrial Communities in Christian, Trigg and Todd Counties,

The Christian County Chamber of Commerce joins with the entire Western Kentucky region to offer prayers, support, and assistance during this very challenging time.  The Chamber recognizes the people of Western Kentucky are a strong, industrious, and persistent type.  Our forefathers settled the lands with their hands and hard work.  Our recovery efforts will take the same.

Carter Hendricks, Executive Director of the SWEDC, and I have been in communication with community and business leaders from throughout Western Kentucky to determine ways our community can provide much needed support to our neighbors and friends throughout Christian County and the entire Western Kentucky region.  

The Christian County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council to be a source of concise and credible information to the business and industry community. It is important we remain committed and to stay connected to those leading efforts of recovery.

So many are reaching out from across the community, state and country about donating, volunteering, and coordinating some type of recovery effort. There are questions about business rebuilding resource efforts, supply collection drive initiatives, food donations, cooking efforts and much more. There are many organizations already providing front line support who are to be commended. The needs will continue and become more specific over time.

This effort is to encourage our businesses and industries to help with recovery throughout the community and broader region. Our goal is to ensure the business community is aware of resources available to their employees who have been affected by the severe storms as well as be aware of opportunities to lend assistance and / or support.

Below are a number of resources to help direct your support or offer assistance. Information, needs, and where volunteers are needed will continuously change. Updates will be provided as much as needed. I encourage you to follow the chamber and the Southwest EDC on its social media pages for the most current announcements.

Our Chamber community and entire South Western Kentucky is committed to helping in the long road to recovery.

Remember, we don't know what we don't know, so never be afraid to ask for help or share a need. If we don’t have the answer, more likely than not, we know someone who will or point you to the information. If you have updates to this information, please email those to me.

Sincerely,

Taylor Hayes

President / CEO

Christian County Chamber

270-885-9096

thayes@christiancountychamber.com

GIFT CARDS FOR COMPASSION 

The Christian County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council, Christian County Public Schools, Pennyrile Area Development District, and the Hopkinsville YMCA to encourage individuals, businesses, and organizations to participate in the Chamber’s Gift Cards for Compassion campaign.

The Gift Cards for Compassion campaign encourages individuals, businesses, and organizations to donate unused gift cards (preferably $10-$25 value range) for families in need as a result of the recent tornadoes. Regional officials have indicated that many families are in need of gift cards to help purchase daily necessities as well as to help the affected families provide gifts at Christmas. 

Gift cards can be dropped off at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, 2800 Fort Campbell Boulevard, from 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday from December 15th-December 23rd and the YMCA, 7805 Eagle Way Bypass during operating hours every day but Christmas through December 30. Donated gift cards will be distributed to Christian County families in need through a partnership with the YMCA of Hopkinsville and the Christian County Public Schools. Additionally, the Christian County Chamber of Commerce and SWK EDC will also be working with regional officials to distribute gift cards to regional families in need.

The Christian County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that an anonymous donor has already committed to providing $500 in gift cards. Though no goal has been set, we hope to secure enough gift cards to truly help spread compassion and the Christmas spirit to those in need in Christian County and the region.

CCPS Contact is Melanie Barrett melanie.barrett@christian.kyschools.us 270-887-7000

YMCA Contact is Amanda Crutchfield Amanda@hopkinsvilleymca.org 270-887-5382

SWEDC contact is Carter Hendricks chendricks@southwesternky.com 270-885-9096

Christian County Chamber contact is Claire Hughes  chughes@christiancountychamber.com 270-885-9096

Pennyrile Area Development District contact is Cheri Farmer cheri.farmer@ky.gov 270-886-9484

BUSINESS SUPPORT & DISASTER LOAN ASSISTANCE

WEST KY AG RELIEF

If you are able to help farmers in need, please take donations to H&R Agri Power in Mayfield or Hutson in Hopkinsville.  

MONETARY SUPPORT

  • American Red Cross    Monetary donations can be made through the Red Cross FB page: https://www.facebook.com/donate/1102848833822116/  to support recovery efforts involving the local communities in Christian County including Pembroke and Herndon
  • Salvation Army    Monetary donations for Emergency Disaster Services can be made at this link www.helpsalvationarmy.org
  • Kentucky Red Cross Kentucky Red Cross Donate online here: Text REDCROSS to 9099 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief: to donate by phone via credit card or to ask questions about donating money to the Red Cross, please call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669)
  • Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund Governor Andy Beshear announced the state has set up a single fund connected with the state that people who want to help can give to it is solely dedicated to helping the on-the-ground efforts and the relief efforts needed to rebuild. Go to The Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund at www.TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov 
  • Kentucky Sports Radio & Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Tornado Relief Fund https://www.kychamber.com/ksrtornadorelief This fundraising effort is spearheaded to focus specifically on small businesses, local chambers, economic and job recovery aid with immediate crisis relief in mind.

SUPPLY DONATION DROP OFF

VOLUNTEERING

When volunteering after a disaster remember never self-deploy. Make contact through the county Emergency Operations and / or the Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for assignments and to understand where help is needed.

  • Christian County (to help in the Pembroke and Herndon areas) – Randy Graham – 270-887-6253
  • Hopkins County (to help in Dawson Springs) – Nick Bailey - 270-871-7707
  • Caldwell County (to help in Princeton) – Joey McCaslin - 270-365-4658
  • VOAD - Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (to help in other regions of Kentucky impacted visit  https://www.kentuckyvoad.org/how-to-help/
  • Current needs in Pembroke are to sort items being brought in taking place in Pembroke Baptist gym 4-8 pm Tuesday 12/14, Thursday 12/16 & Friday 12/17. Volunteers are encouraged to bring boxes if possible.

BLOOD DONATIONS

There are short supplies throughout west Kentucky and the Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center is encouraging donors to come in. Learn more at https://www.wkrbc.org/donate/

SPECIFIC HELP NEEDED

West Kentucky Relief This group is set up for those to post their needs and those that can help, reach out and meet that need. https://www.facebook.com/groups/274019991439171

EMERGENCY SHELTER/SERVICES

Please see a list of resources for emergency shelters & services provided through PACS & PADD.  This list is as of 12-15-21.