Showing Strength

Hopkins County pulls together during time of need

WRITERS: CALEY SMITH AND JODI CAMP

Hopkins County showed its strength when residents, schools, churches and nonprofits came together in the wake of the Dec. 10 EF-4 tornado that killed 16 residents and destroyed much of Dawson Springs. It was the worst tornado to hit the county since the one on April 3, 1968 killed two.

“Hopkins County is an amazing place,” said Judge-Executive Jack Whitfield. “The outpouring of love and support from volunteers, law enforcement, fire departments and elected officials was just outstanding.”

The county’s response, from every corner, was immediate. By sunrise on Dec. 11, not only was the Dawson Springs area filled with local first responders and volunteers, they seemed to come from everywhere. Union and Webster County officials arrived with their own first responders, road crews and trained search and rescue personnel. Throughout the day, more filtered in from further away, representing states as far away as Florida.

“We have had people come help us from all over the country, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Texas, Missouri,” said District Six magistrate Charlie Beshears of Dawson Springs. “Without those people, we couldn’t have made it through”

While the tragedy brought volunteers from all over, many of the local groups that already work to serve the community stepped it up, doing their normal fund raising in addition to tornado relief.

“We organized some drives to get Christmas to our local families,” said Salvation Army Captain Lisa Good. “We still need diapers, wipes and blankets, in addition to snack items, new toys and new clothing.”

“As long as there is a need, we are going to fill it. We are accepting anything and everything,” Good said.

On day two of cleanup and recovery efforts,

the Salvation Army transported stockpiled items to take down to Dawson Springs as soon as the roads were clear enough to make the trip.

A mobile feeding unit went to Dawson Springs Elementary School to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food runners were setup up to go back and forth with meals to make sure there was plenty for everyone.

In the school systems, it was evident how strong the community is as everyone came together during the county’s time of need.

Earlington Elementary School and the Dawson Springs Independent School District became relief hubs helping to reach those affected.

Dawson Springs Superintendent Leonard Whalen said the DSIS system has had so many donations of clothes, water, blankets, and toiletries, that it is overwhelming. The amount of support shown to Dawson has been tremendous, he said.

“We are going to make it through this,” he said. “We are just trying to weather the storm and get through it and try to help everybody that needs our help.”

The Earlington Elementary School was also overwhelmed by the support they saw after the tornado. Earlington Elementary Principal Julie Vaughn said the school started taking donations on Dec. 11 on a small scale, but on Dec. 13 truck loads and trailers packed with items started arriving.

“That is when our small organization just completely expanded,” said Vaughn. “Monday is when it turned from just the gym full of tables and clothes to we are going to have to take over classrooms.”

The volunteers that have helped out in Dawson and Earlington have been vital to the recovery efforts. Teachers, community members and even students came out to help their communities.

Detra Stafford, the Family Resource Center coordinator for Earlington, said seeing so many people coming together to help has been phenomenal.

One volunteer, Jennifer Gobin, said the way everyone has come together to help has been amazing to see.

“We say all the time that we are Team Hopkins,” she said. “One team, one mission, and one community.”

The Christian Food Bank of Hopkins County geared up to provide help to tornado victims, in addition to serving everyday clients. People were able to walk up and receive meal box kits and snack items, seven days a week instead of the usual three day per week.

The Food Bank was able to gather items to donate to local partnering agencies in town along with local churches, and was careful and cognizant to keep their servings to the people of Hopkins County, according to Director Marci Cox.

Even months later, the need will still be there for people who were hit hard by the tornadoes. All donations are welcome, not just food. Hygiene items, boxes and bags are always needed. For more information on how to donate, or if you need assistance, simply call 270-825-8296.

Just a few miles down the road from The Food Bank, located at 98 Madison Square, the old Staples building acted as the main distribution hub for Hopkins County tornado victims, providing items for those in need. On December 30, 2021, the hub opened its doors to allow people to come in and shop, which was not the case in the previous weeks where items were strictly sent out.

According to Ruthann Padgett, vice President of Operations at the Madisonville Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation, as the supply of items goes down they may have to start putting limits on certain items, but there is an abundance of donations now, and no limit has been placed at this time.