{"id":6841,"date":"2022-02-01T13:12:50","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T19:12:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bluecotton.com\/blog\/?p=6841"},"modified":"2022-02-01T13:12:50","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T19:12:50","slug":"kentucky-tornado-victims-help","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bluecotton.com\/blog\/articles\/kentucky-tornado-victims-help\/","title":{"rendered":"Here’s How to Help The Victims of Kentucky’s Devastating December Tornado"},"content":{"rendered":"

In early December, a devastating tornado tore through Western Kentucky.\u00a0 The violent storm left a trail of destruction through multiple communities, including Bremen, Princeton, Dawson Springs, and Bowling Green. As noted by <\/span>CNN, <\/span><\/i>tornadoes and tornado warnings were themselves not uncommon in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the sheer destructive power of this particular storm <\/span>was<\/span><\/i><\/a>. <\/span><\/i>More than 70 people were killed. Entire communities were left without basic amenities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even now, more than a month after the storm, many survivors are, per <\/span>The Courier Journal, <\/span><\/i>temporarily living in motorhomes and trailers<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It should go without saying that the victims of this catastrophe still need all the help they can get. And rather heartwarmingly, they <\/span>have <\/span><\/i>been receiving plenty of aid. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still contribute, as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Donate Blood<\/span><\/h2>\n

In addition to the deaths caused by the storm, it also left many Kentuckians injured and in need of hospitalization. The Red Cross began a blood drive in the days immediately following the tornado, in an effort, with governor <\/span>Andy Beshear noting that blood was needed for many tornado-struck areas<\/span><\/a>, reports <\/span>WLKY. <\/span><\/i>\u00a0Given that, per <\/span>Lex 18, <\/span><\/i>there is still an ongoing nationwide blood shortage, <\/span>donations are still desperately needed<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the American Red Cross, blood donations are down 10% across the United States. Reportedly, it’s the worst decline seen in more than a decade. This is, the organization continued, likely due at least in part to the pandemic\u2014yet winter weather combined with the tornado has further exacerbated the issue in Kentucky.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Donate Essentials<\/span><\/h2>\n

In a heartwarming display of holiday spirit, toy drives and other donation centers received <\/span>overwhelming <\/span><\/i>support. <\/span>Fox 17 <\/span><\/i>even reports that one center in Hopkins County <\/span>received so many donations that it actually ran out of space<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Still, if you can find a nonprofit or facility nearby that provides aid to the tornado victims, you can still send physical donations such as:<\/span><\/p>\n