A successful Greenbrier County First Responders Association fundraiser gathered over $40,000 to help emergency responders in Kentucky.
On December 10, 2021, a tornado formed, winding and ripping across 200 miles of western Kentucky. At least 74 lives were lost, and the damage is still being calculated. Because of this, and the area’s familiarity with natural disasters, the First Responders Association decided to help Kentucky first responders with a Fill-The-Boot drive. This also includes the Greenbrier County Fire Association, the Greenbrier County Sheriff’s Department, Greenbrier County 911, and more local law enforcement agencies.
On January 24, organizer Bart Baker offered an update:
“When we started the Greenbrier First Responders for Kentucky we had high hope of raising $10,000 to $15,000 to send to first responders in Kentucky that were affected by the tornadoes,” wrote Baker. “With the help of the great people of Greenbrier County we certainly exceeded that. I have to brag on you folks a bit. The amount of support you wonderful people showed was amazing! The kindness and generosity that was shown during this was overwhelming. With your help we were able to raise $43,217.29! WOW!!!!”
The drive was held January 14 and 15 in several locations throughout Greenbrier County – Ronceverte and Alderson’s drives took place in town, Smoot and Clintonville on Sam Black Bridge, and Tri-County and Williamsburg set up on Alta Bridge, and several organizations stood near the entrance of the Greenbrier Valley Mall entrance on Route 219. This successful two-day fundraiser will now go a ways to helping those affected by the tornado.
“Guys this money will be sent to first responders who lost so much due to natural disaster,” Baker continued. “It will be money that they can use to start putting their lives back together. I am so very proud of my county. Thank you so much for making this happen. You folks are amazing! I would like to extend a great big thank you to City National Bank for all their help during this, they really stepped up to help us. Also to the American Beer Company, and MOCO/River City Tshirts for designing and donating all the signs. All the first responders who stood out in the cold to collect donations, and the wonderful people of Greenbrier County who donated. We are truly blessed to live in this wonderful place with so many amazing people!”
The fundraiser did not aim at the immediate disaster needs, however, as organizer Jeff Doss explained.
“Now that we’re to the point where it’s ‘not newsworthy,’ and I don’t mean that negatively, [aid is] going to pick up a truck and [go] home,” Doss said. “Now what do [the people affected by the storm] do? … That’s why we want to give to the first responders and their families – people just don’t understand the lasting effects that happen after something like this. The last ones to get addressed, typically, are first responders.”
In a previous post, Baker thanked everyone for their involvement with the fundraiser.
“I would also like to thank my first responders family for all the hard work they put in during this. They stood and shivered in sub freezing temperatures to help those who needed it. Great jobs brothers and sisters! … There are way to many people to thank personally for this, but thanks to all that supported it! Those who stood in the cold, those that donated, those that offered prayers and encouraging words, and those that took pity on us and brought us hot coffee and warm food! Special thanks to City National Bank and it’s employees for helping us set this up, and I apologize in advance for the amount of change and money you guys will be helping us count!”
He also thanked the people of Greenbrier County.
“Let me say that in my military and professional career I have had the chance to travel to many beautiful places and live in some. No where I have traveled compares to Greenbrier County, not only it’s natural beauty, but the beauty of its people. You guys are amazing! I was at several of the collection points, and watched as my fellow citizens dig deep to help strangers! In tough economic times, you guys gave all you had. You folks are the reason I am proud to live and work in Greenbrier County!”
The Fill-The-Boot Drive. |
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