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Hancock County organizes to assist tornado victims

Market President for Hancock County at Independence Bank, Wade Gaynor, said that many people were calling and asking how to donate money toward the relief effort, and how they could help in any way.

“At Independence Bank, we are just happy to play some kind of role,” Gaynor said. “We are just trying to bridge that gap. We know a lot of people want to help and give donations and money, and we’re just trying to help facilitate that. We have locations in Mayfield, Madisonville, and Bowling Green, that were impacted by the tornado. Along with government officials from each community, we’ve opened several accounts for people to donate to.”

The accounts that are set up for donations follow:

Mayfield Consumer Products Employee Account, which was a candle factory. All donations received in that account go directly to employees who are out of work. Some were injured. Some lost loved ones.

Mayfield Graves County Tornado Relief Fund, organized by the Graves County Sheriff and other local officials. Those funds go directly to the citizens of Graves County (which is Mayfield).

Warren County Public Schools Energy Fund. That money goes to all of those effected in Boling Green and Warren County. The Warren County Public Schools are going to facilitate that for them.

For the Benefit of Hopkins County Make Christmas Happen Gift Fund. This account was set up so that people could donate to those in Hopkins County, and Dawson Springs in particular, who may not have Christmas gifts for kids and loved ones.

For the Benefit of Hopkins County Tornado Relief Fund. This goes to those impacted by the tornado in Hopkins County and Dawson Springs.

Independence Bank Western Kentucky Relief Fund: If people want to donate and not earmark which specific community they want to donate to. “We will issue those funds directly out of that account, and if a need arises in any of those areas – or in Western Kentucky – then we will be able to make sure that those funds are used appropriately,” Gaynor said.

“How this works is you can go to any Independence Bank location. You can go to ours in Hawesville or Lewisport, or wherever you are. You can come in and go to the counter with the teller and tell them that you’d like to donate and choose from any of those accounts, or just the general fund. Our tellers will then, make that donation directly to them. Also, if local folks in Hancock County are wanting to make sure supplies, monetary donations, or gift cards make it to certain communities, you can reach me at the bank in Hawesville anytime.” The number is 270-927-1007

Tellers and frontline staff know exactly what’s going on. If you wish to donate to Tornado Relief From Hancock County, spearheaded by George Bozarth, you can do that at the Hawesville or Lewisport branches. These funds will go directly towards tornado relief.

  • The office of Hancock Circuit Court Clerk Mike Boling has set up a donation site for those affected by the west Kentucky tornadoes. The drop-off will be at the Hancock County Justice Center, and opens at 8 a.m.
  • Southwire has organized the “Project Gift” disaster relief collection from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., Friday, at the Farmers Market Area of Vastwood Park. The donations will benefit those impacted by the storms throughout west Kentucky.

Items needed include:

  • Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food with pop-top lids.
  • Bottled water, energy drinks, soda, sports drinks and juice.
  • New unwrapped hats, scarves, socks and coats.
  • New, unwrapped blankets.
  • Hygiene products and toiletries.
  • Mops, brooms, cleaning gloves and buckets.
  • Flashlights.
  • Diapers, formula, baby food and nursery water.
  • Christmas gifts for children.
  • Pet food and supplies.

For additional information, call 270-925-8859 or visit Southwire on Facebook.

The company will be bringing a tractor-trailer from its headquarters in Carrollton, Ga., to collect and transport donations collected.

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