How Somerset County residents are stepping up to help Kentucky after tornado disaster
A band of Somerset County residents are donating much-needed supplies to Mayfield, Kentucky, after the area was hit with devastating tornadoes over the weekend.
So far, 64 have been confirmed dead and thousands have been left homeless or without heat and water. An estimated 30 tornadoes hit the four state area and leveled Mayfield.
Jeremy Hoover, of Hoover Conveyor & Fabrication and Morguen Toole, in Meyersdale, said he has several family members who live in Mayfield. It's also the location of a former division of Hoover Conveyor.
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"I spent a lot of time there," he said. "We're anticipating sending around a tractor-trailer load of donations."
Hoover said he is working with a trucking company and local churches in Mayfield to bring donations to the right people.
"We're certain and confident that things will get distributed appropriately," he said. "In times like this, tons of great people are there to help, but there's also people who take advantage."
Hoover said he is hoping to gather enough Christmas toys and other items for the families to still have a decent Christmas, but there are also many other things on the wishlist. Impacted Kentucky residents need water, food, hygiene products, trash bags, pet supplies, first aid kits, batteries and many other things. All donations can be dropped off at Morguen Toole along Center Street in Meyersdale.
"The real tragic part down there is their water system isn't just contaminated or not working, it's completely destroyed," Hoover said.
"Their sewage system isn't down, it's destroyed. All of their infrastructure is gone. ... Electric lines for miles and miles and miles are completely gone."
"Here we've seen these types of things and experienced them on a small scale. But from what they're telling me, this is beyond the scope of what we can imagine," he said.
Collections will go on for a few more days, until they have enough to fill a tractor-trailer.
Hoover said that anyone with questions can contact him on Facebook.
Josh Sechler, of Confluence, is also taking donations through PayPal and buying up supplies.
"We are so grateful for the love and generosity of this community!!!" he said in a Facebook post. "2 hours, 8 full carts, and 2 carloads later and we’re headed to drop off our first load to make its way to Mayfield, Kentucky!
"We will be making another shopping trip tomorrow to spend the remaining money that you all so generously gave to still give these families a Christmas morning for their children! ... If you have relief supplies such as water, first aid kits, blankets, tarps, flashlights, batteries, etc please feel free to donate these as well!! ...
"I’ve always been told in times of trouble to look for the helpers, but even better than looking for them is to be one of them! Let’s work together to help the families in Mayfield that need us the most! God bless you all!"
Follow Dylan Johnson on Twitter at @DADylanJohnson and on Facebook at facebook.com/DylanJohnsonDailyAmerican.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County residents donating to tornado relief efforts
