Oklahoma Man To Take Donations To Kentucky To Help People Affected By Historic Tornado Outbreak

CHOCTAW, Oklahoma – 

About 60 tornadoes devastated communities across the southeast and central US last week, leaving almost 90 people dead.

One Oklahoma man is now planning to drive a truckload of donations to one of the places hardest hit – Mayfield, Kentucky.

Chad Yousey is a businessman who was planning to travel to Kentucky in early January.

He says Oklahomans know how devastating tornado damage can be, and many have reached out wanting to help after he initially posted this on Facebook.

I’ve seen firsthand how long it kind of does take to clean up after something like that so we’ve kind of got a soft spot for them here. i knew that Oklahomans would have a great reaction to people in need, especially for storm damage or something like that,” said Yousey.

He will be delivering a growing truckload of supplies to Mayfield, leaving in early January.

The tornado that went through the Mayfield area destroyed infrastructure.

Residents are in need of water, heat, food and more after thousands of homes and buildings were devastated.

If you want to contribute – here’s how.

Some of the key in-kind items that the Mayfield area needs are:

1. Water bottles
2. New clothes and shoes
3. Diapers
4. Hygiene products
5. Heaters
6. School supplies
7. Plastic storage bins, for people returning to destroyed homes to pack up what is left.

 

“We have people that come from out of state to help us every year when we have the big tornado events that we have. and we just kind of want to spread some of our Oklahoma love around,” Yousey said.

You can drop off in-kind donations to N & R Feed and Supply in Downtown Harrah, or Charlie’s Sports Bar & Grill in Choctaw until January 3.

In a note on their website – the Mayfield Independent School District, which was a staging area for initial relief efforts says:

“Thank you for every bag, box or truck of supplies. Thank you for your donations of funds. Thank you for your time, thank you for your thoughts, thank you for your prayers. You have made a difference.  You have had an impact on us that will never be forgotten.”

FEMA says cash donations are always key to recovery efforts.

You can donate through Yousey’s contracting company Venmo account, and he will be directing donations to disaster relief efforts in Kentucky.