Want to help victims of Kentucky tornadoes? How to donate and volunteer from NC.
People across Kentucky — and elsewhere in the South and Midwest — are continuing to recover from the deadly and devastating tornadoes that ripped through the state overnight Friday and into Saturday.
Communities in the western part of Kentucky were hardest hit, with multiple buildings in the city of Mayfield turned to rubble.
More than 60 people are confirmed dead in the state as of about 10 a.m. Monday, and nearly 30,000 Kentuckians are still without power, according to reporting from The Lexington Herald-Leader.
If you’re looking to assist in relief efforts for those affected by the storms, here’s a guide to organizations offering support — both in Kentucky and right here in North Carolina.
Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has established the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, a state relief fund to assist those impacted by the tornadoes.
▪ All donations to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund are tax-deductible and donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes after donating.
▪ Donations can be made online or by mail.
If you would like to mail in a donation, make your check payable to Kentucky State Treasurer.
In the memo line, note the donation is for the “Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund.”
Send your check to the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet at 200 Mero Street, 5th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40622.
For more information on the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund or to make an online donation, visit TeamWKYReliefFund.ky.gov.
NC-based Samaritan’s Purse relief efforts
Samaritan’s Purse, the Boone, North Carolina-based Christian relief organization is responding to the aftermath of storms in Kentucky and Arkansas by deploying team members, vehicles and other resources to affected areas.
The organization is accepting monetary donations, as well as volunteers to serve on the ground.
▪ You can donate money through the organization’s ongoing article about relief efforts.
You can also mail donations to P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607.
▪ You can sign up to volunteer in person by visiting spvolunteer.org and selecting “Mayfield, Kentucky Tornado Response.” Volunteers will assist with debris cleanup, roof tarping and chainsaw work.
Blood donations are in high demand
The Blood Connection, a Raleigh community blood bank, is working with on-the-ground emergency response personnel in midwestern states.
“The Blood Connection is currently working to deliver life-saving blood to the hospital that is treating the patients of this terrible disaster,” said Delisa English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection, per a press release. “We are ready and able to help those of the Midwest communities thanks to the loyal TBC blood donors in our communities here at home.”
Donors can make an appointment by going to thebloodconnection.org/donate or by calling 864-255-5000.
Here are some tips from TBC’s Ellen Kirtner on making a donation:
Feel well: If you’ve received your covid-19 vaccine, you can donate blood quickly after — as long as you feel OK. Those who currently have covid or those who haven’t tested negative for covid in the past 14 days cannot donate blood.
Eat a balanced meal: Eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water ahead of your donation appointment.
Remember the gift of life: It can be uncomfortable to donate blood, but think about the patient who would be receiving the blood product. Your donation can save someone’s life.
Black & Gold Podcast fundraiser
The Black & Gold Podcast, a podcast about Appalachian State University sports, has started a GoFundMe fundraiser to support relief efforts in western Kentucky that ties into the Boone college’s upcoming football bowl game.
The Appalachian State Mountaineers will play the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers in the Boca Raton Bowl on Dec. 18.
“In the spirit of good sportsmanship and teamwork before our bowl game,” the GoFundMe page reads, the podcast hosts organized the fundraiser to support their upcoming opponent in the wake of the tornadoes that devastated their community.
The money raised in the fundraiser will go to the Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center, a nonprofit community blood donation center that serves six hospitals in western Kentucky.
The fundraiser originally started with a goal of raising $3,333, but quickly surpassed that amount and is continuing to raise money.
To donate to the Black & Gold Podcast’s fundraiser in support of the Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center, visit the GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/mountaineers-supporting-hilltoppers.
NC Baptist Disaster Relief efforts
Baptists on Mission, an arm of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, “has been asked by Kentucky Baptists to assist in disaster recovery efforts,” according to the organization’s website.
The organization is sending disaster relief teams to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Teams will including small feeding team, a laundry unit, recovery unit, generator and chainsaw teams.
You can donate money or sign up to volunteer in person by visiting the Baptists on Mission website, and selecting either “Give Now” or “Volunteer Now.”
United Way of Kentucky
The United Way of Kentucky is collecting monetary donations to support the immediate needs and long-term recovery in communities impacted by the storms.
On the organization’s fundraising page, it says Kentucky’s United Way network is “working with emergency management, disaster partners and local communities to support services for families impacted.”
Donations can be made online at uwky.org/tornado.
▪ The organization says 100% of donations will go directly to recovery efforts.
▪ They are encouraging donors to round up your donation amount to cover the cost of online credit card processing.
▪ If you have questions about donating, contact Roberta Steutermann with the United Way of Kentucky at roberta.steutermann@uwky.org.
Western Kentucky Red Cross disaster relief
The Main Street Program of La Grange, Kentucky, a city about 25 miles from Louisville, has organized a fundraiser in support of the Western Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross, which serves about 25 counties in western Kentucky and Illinois.
The Western Kentucky Chapter of the American Red Cross says online that it cannot accept donations of household goods or clothing, so a financial gift is the best way to support the organization.
You can donate to the Kentucky Red Cross through the La Grange fundraiser on Facebook.
▪ The fundraiser page says Facebook is paying all of the processing fees for the fundraiser, so 100% of your donation will go directly to relief efforts.
You can also make donations directly to the Kentucky Red Cross online, by phone or by mail.
▪ To donate online, visit redcross.org/donate. You can select for your donation to go to disaster relief or blood services, as well as choose between a specific local community or “where it is needed most.”
▪ To donate by mail, fill out the Red Cross check donation form online, then mail your check to P.O. Box 37839 in Boone, IA.
▪ For more information on how to donate by phone or via text, visit redcross.org/donations/ways-to-donate/text-mail-phone.html.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is sending trained personnel from across the states of Kentucky and Tennessee to assess the damage caused by the storm, and the organization is “working closely with state and local authorities to meet human needs during this difficult and devastating weather event.”
You can donate money to the organization’s relief efforts online, by phone or by mail.
▪ To donate online, visit HelpSalvationArmy.org.
▪ To donate by phone, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY and designate “KY Tornado Relief” with your gift.
▪ To donate by mail, send your check to PO BOX 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301, and designate “KY Tornado Relief” with your gift.
The Salvation Army says it uses 100% of all disaster donations to support disaster relief. Donations are tax-deductible, so make sure to keep your email donation receipt as your official record.
