Giving to ease the grief: Grayson Co. sends hundreds of Christmas presents, supplies to those impacted by tornadoes. Organizers: ‘They just kept giving and giving.’

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gifts-12-23-5

Grayson County has responded with vigor, heart and open wallets to the devastating tornado systems that moved through much of western Kentucky on December 10 and 11.

The severe storm systems that wreaked havoc from Fulton County to Falls of Rough left a trail of destruction in its path that resulted in the loss of life, loss of livelihood, loss of homes, and loss of businesses. But just as impactful was the loss of security and safety for the youngest victims.

It seems a cruel twist of the knife that the tornadoes produced such overwhelming destruction only two weeks before Christmas, rendering hundreds, if not thousands of families unable to provide a sense of Holiday normalcy for their children. But, that’s where Grayson County residents, organizations and businesses stepped up to provide a helping hand where it was so clearly needed.

Spurred by businessman Clint Abner of Abner’s Heating & Cooling, and two of his employees, Steve Lofgren and Bill Dalton, who is also a Clarkson fireman and Grayson County Constable, along with Leitchfield Fire Chief Tim Duvall, the hearts of Grayson Countians opened wide.

Abner, Lofgren, Dalton and Duvall transported a load of supplies last week to Mayfield, a thriving small town of about 10,000 that was left nearly barren after a twister tore through the area without an ounce of compassion.

All of the items taken to Mayfield by the group of men were donated by Abner and his employees, and Kevin Brooks, owner of Future Designs Building Materials. A&B Hardware and Ace Hardware, both in Leitchfield, offered Abner deep discounts on multiple items.

Abner, who said he was helped immensely by Red Cross Area Coordinator and Grayson County resident Misty Thomas, discovered officials in Mayfield were asking for specific items, including five-gallon buckets and lids, totes, and flashlights – The group of men responded by delivering 200 five-gallon buckets, 150 lids, 30 totes, and 30 to 40 flashlights.

“My guys (Dalton and Lofgren) really stepped up,” Abner said. “It was on their hearts to help. Tim Duvall really stepped up to the plate as well. They came to me and asked, ’What we can do?’ I can’t say how proud I am of those men.”

Abner added that after people found out he was taking supplies to Mayfield, several individuals thrust cash into his hands and told him to use the money to help in any way possible.

While delivering the supplies to Catalyst Baptist Church in Mayfield, the men asked the locals what more they could do to help. Abner said the response was Christmas presents.

And thus began the onslaught of unprecedented giving.

Between Wednesday of last week and Tuesday of this week, Grayson County residents, upon discovering the need for presents, donated an abundance of gifts that filled five 16-foot trailers. The Christmas gifts were donated to multiple organizations, including the Clarkson and Leitchfield Fire Departments, the Leitchfield Police Department, and Leitchfield and Clarkson City Halls, for dispersal to the youngest victims of the catastrophic tornadoes.

“The community was unbelievable,” Dalton beamed. “They just kept giving and giving.”

After local organizers were told Mayfield was flush with donations, the Christmas gifts were earmarked and rerouted to Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties, both of which suffered tremendous property damage and loss of life.

On Wednesday, the presents were delivered to families in Earlington and Greenville, putting smiles on the faces of young people left with next to nothing by the fierce twisters.

Besides Abner, Dalton, Lofgren, and Duvall, several other people helped organize the Christmas gift drive, including Clarkson Assistant Fire Chiefs Ed Horn and Daron Bell, and Clarkson Mayor Bonnie Henderson.

Proverbs 3:27 says, “Don’t withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in your power to do so.”

Perhaps never in the history of Grayson County has the power of giving by the community been so unmistakable. And now, during this Christmas season, the good hearts of Grayson Countians not only impacted the ones closest to us, but reached out beyond our borders and made a difference in the lives of strangers, both young and old, leaving a legacy of goodwill that won’t soon be forgotten.

(Headline photo: The men who transported Christmas toys to Muhlenberg and Hopkins counties on Wednesday — l-r: Bryan Henderson, Shane Broome, Roy Hack, Andrew Whobrey, Adam Jenkins, Paul Jenkins, Joe Riggs, Daron Bell, Bill Dalton)

One of the trailers filled with toys
Christmas gifts presented to an Earlington family
Two of the primary Christmas gift driver organizers, Daron Bell (l) and BIll Dalton (r)

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com