From Louisville to Dawson Springs, donations making major impact on storm victims

DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Dawson Springs community has been overwhelmed with support as those who lost everything begin to pick up the pieces.

One Louisville family's desire to help is making a major impact — their donations of clothing and supplies for tornado victims filling two buildings at Dunn Missionary Baptist Church.

"We turned the corner and it was just gone. The town was gone," said Suzanne Jenkins, describing a scene of devastation in Dawson Springs. "It was unlike anything I've ever seen or experienced."

Jenkins is from Louisville, but was visiting family Friday evening and rode out the storms, never expecting to wake up and find the town destroyed.

"Seeing pictures on the news or, you know, hearing stories — it doesn't do anything justice," she said. "We're having to climb over debris to get to people's houses to see if they were there and, you know, a lot of times getting not the news that we wanted."

IMAGES | Tornadoes devastate dozens of cities in western Kentucky

Searching through the wreckage and rubble, Jenkins knew she had to do more and put out a call for help to get much-needed supplies to those who lost everything.

"My husband made a post on our Facebook page and when we came home, our entire front porch was full," she said.

The donations from friends and family in Louisville just kept on coming.

"That night we had a line of cars out front our house, from our neighbors and people from our parent's church bringing it by," said Jenkins.

The volume of the donations was so large, they've filled up two buildings at Dunn Missionary Baptist Church

"It warms the soul to see the love that people are pouring into this community," Pastor Jeremy Jussup said.

Jussup said the donations will go directly to people in need.

IMAGES: Damage in western Kentucky after Dec. 10-11, 2021 tornadoes

"When you are at a point that you can't get a hot shower, you can't get yourself cleaned up after a long day, when you have people reaching out to you to get those basic necessities of life, it means something to you," he said.

It's something Jussup said he's grateful for — that so many people, hours away in Louisville, care so much about his community.

"It means everything, you can't really put it into words," he said.

Leaders in Dawson Springs said what is needed most right now are financial donations, which will help people start building back stronger.

Team Western Kentucky tornado relief fund: Beshear has established the relief fund to assist those impacted by the tornados. Visit the website online for more information.
Kentucky Red Cross: Donations can also be sent to the Kentucky Red Cross online click here, by texting REDCROSS to 90999, or by calling 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669).
United Way of Kentucky: They're accepting monetary donations to support the impacted communities online. Families needing help can also call 211, Kentucky's United Way helpline, 24/7, 365 days a year.

For more ways to donate, click here.

The death toll in the city is now 14 people, including a 2-month-old girl. She was injured during the tornado and died at Norton Children's Hospital, according to the county coroner. As of Tuesday night, the number of people missing in Dawson Springs is down to 54.

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