United Way chapters continuing to support tornado recovery throughout western Kentucky

 As rescue efforts continue nearly nine months after the December tornadoes, groups like United Way of Kentucky continue to support the progress communities are making.

Since December, United Way has raised more than $5 million to support disaster relief in western and central Kentucky. Kevin Middleton, president of United Way Kentucky, said seven United Way counties were affected by the storm and that the statewide organization is responsible for finding a way to raise funds. The decision-making process is based on data from the Federal Emergency Management Program. So far, $2.1 million has been paid to local United Way groups, and all funds raised will go toward the recovery effort, Middleton said.

We know that long-term recovery will take years. This is not a sprinter, it is a marathon, and when we did it, it allowed the dollar to support these communities immediately. "" We have the remaining resources that promise a long recovery until the communities are completely restored.

Way United Kentucky assists healing process, including long term -place recovery groups, as well as various non -profit and voluntary organizations. United Way of Paducah-McCracken County, United Way of the Coal Mines and United Way of Pennyrail are among some of the regional United Way organizations helping with tornado recovery efforts.

"Our local United Way representatives are without a doubt the voice we see at work day in and day out," said Middleton. "They have a direct view of what the long-term recovery team wants to do on behalf of the leading families."

Middleton said he is pleased with the way the team is rebuilding.

"I think it's always important to think in any disaster situation," Middleton said. "Are we doing it as efficiently as possible to help as many people as possible?"

United Way of Paducah-McCracken County is assisting the recovery process in Fulton, Hickman, Graves and Marshall counties. Betsy Burkin is the executive director this season. So far, the group has paid $250,000 twice in the recovery effort — once to the Mayfield Rotary Club and once to Camp Graves.

"We will continue to work with these communities and help people rebuild and rebuild their lives in the face of the storm," Burkin said. "In each district, we have a group of community leaders who help make distribution decisions."

Dan Howerton is the executive director of the United Way of the Coal Mines, which serves Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties. He said the greatest need in the region supported by the local United Way is to help provide the resources needed to rebuild. "United Ways ... all operate and face the same challenges," Howerton said. "We're all trying to help hurricane survivors, and anything anyone can do to support United Ways will go a long way in helping communities."

United Way of the Pennyrail serves Christian, Caldwell, Todd and Trigg counties. Betsy Bond, the group's executive director, said disaster recovery is new territory for the group.

"Some of us had never done this before, so it was a really rewarding experience," Bond said. "The key is to give people what they need as quickly as possible."

The group is also trying to help the recovery process in Leon County. Pennirille's United Way works with long-term recovery groups to help meet the needs of community members, although she acknowledges the road to recovery is long. "Once the FEMA payments are paid, the insurance is paid, and the short-term aid ends, that's where we step in and the long-term recovery team comes in," Bond said. “It takes a year or more to understand what the needs are and start paying for those needs as they arise. You can't pay someone two weeks after a hurricane for a house they have to build in six months, so it takes some time.

 

Read more: https://www.wkyufm.org/2022-09-06/united-way-chapters-continuing-to-support-tornado-recovery-throughout-western-kentucky