Western Kentucky is still healing from the deadly and destructive tornadoes that tore through the area 10 days ago.
We recently reported on places where you can donate money to help tornado victims.
If youre looking for in-person ways to help, weve compiled a list of places that are looking for volunteers.
Before you go, though, a word of caution from FEMA: Dont self-deploy to disaster areas. Trusted organizations in the affected areas know where volunteers are needed. Work with an established organization to make sure you have the appropriate safety, training and skills needed to respond.
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD), which has a Kentucky chapter, agrees: Be patient. Recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be volunteer needs for many months, often years, after the disaster especially when the community enters the long-term recovery period.
Graves County Emergency Management
- Register here: https://surveyhero.com\c\viuf4h7p
- Looking for: a variety of skill sets and roles, including Search and Rescue trained OR untrained, Nurse/Paramedic/EMT, and Electrical or Plumbing.
- Contact: 270-216-0903 / Mayfieldvolunteers@gmail.com
Kentucky State Parks
- Register here: Email Andy Kasitz at andy.kasitz@ky.gov
- Looking for: People to volunteer at Rough River Dam, Kentucky Dam Village, Kenlake, and Lake Barkley state parks to help families who are using the parks as temporary housing. Volunteer tasks will include washing dishes and clothes. Volunteers must provide their own accommodations, but some parks have space for camping.
- Contact: above.
American Red Cross
- Register here: Sign up for Volunteer Connection and check out the list of volunteer opportunities
- Looking for: Blood donors and Disaster Response Volunteers. (Note: you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to donate blood and must pass a background check.)
- Contact: Fill out the form above.
Kentucky Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster
- Register here: Contact Us
- Looking for: People who can fill unmet needs. Let the team know what you can bring, and theyll let you know what they need.
- Contact: See above.
Mercy Chefs
- Register here: Sign up
- Looking for: People who can help with basic food prep and serving food within specific 4-hour shifts.
- Contact: volunteer@mercychefs.com
All Hands and Hearts
- Register here: Volunteer Interest: Tornado Response
- Looking for: Varied needs. (Note: volunteers must be at least 16 years old, fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and able to pass a background check.)
- Contact: volunteer@allhandsandhearts.org
Kentucky Baptist Convention
The Kentucky Baptist Convention has put together the following list of seven churches and ministries in Western Kentucky that are currently accepting assistance from untrained volunteers:
Hillvue Heights: 502-517-2944
Living Hope: 270-646-0698
Eastwood Baptist: 940-224-6544
Rich Pond Baptist: 270-779-0426
HR Ministries: 270-963-3561
Zions Cause: 270-527-9696
Enon Baptist The Way,: 270-970-0668
Read more about their disaster response at this link.
Samaritans Purse
- Register here: Volunteer during a day shift or stay overnight in Dawson Springs or Mayfield
- Looking for: help with debris cleanup, roof tarping and chainsaw work. Overnight volunteers will receive meals and space to sleep (with volunteers own mattresses or sleeping bags) but have to stay on-site for at least three nights.
- Contact: 270-841-3174
Kentucky Emergency Management
- Register here: Volunteer & Donations Survey
- Contact: 800-255-2587
Plain Compassion Crisis Response:
- Register here: Kentucky residents (outside of Bowling Green), Bowling Green residents
- Contact: (304) 454-8041
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This article appears in December 15, 2021.
