A nonprofit organization that helps Christian Countians recovering from the December tornado that plowed through the southern part of the county will meet with residents and review requests for financial help on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Pembroke City Hall.
Residents can meet with volunteers from the Christian County Long-Term Recovery Group and fill out financial assistance applications from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments should be scheduled by calling city hall at 270-475-4343, said Pembroke Mayor Judy Peterson.
The recovery group began organizing last spring to coordinate civic groups, individuals and donors looking to assist people affected by the storm damage — much of which occurred in and around Pembroke.
United Way of the Pennyrile helped get the group started. They have been able to pull together financial support that is intended to help anyone who has unmet needs, such as completing house repairs, said Betsy Bond, executive director of the local United Way.
The funding comes from several sources, said Bond. For example, Rogers Group employees and the affiliated foundation run by Hopkinsville resident Rick Rechter’s family have contributed more than $250,000, she said. In addition, a tornado fund from the United Way of Kentucky has allocated about $150,000 and other groups, such as the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, have raised money to help local families.
State Rep. Myron Dossett, R-Pembroke, encouraged residents impacted by the storm to seek help. More information is available from Dossett by calling his Frankfort message line at 1-800-372-7181. His email address is myron.dossett@lrc.ky.gov.
“Even if you are unsure you qualify, it would be wise to come to City Hall and fill out an application,” Dossett said in a press release from Frankfort. “While we still have a long road of recovery ahead of us, this is one step closer to reaching that goal.”
Bond said the Christian County Long-Term Recovery Group has an application pending with the IRS for its nonprofit designation. In the meantime, the Christian County Rescue Team and the Community Foundation of Western Kentucky will help with financial record-keeping and disbursements.
The financial oversight might look like “red tape” but the method is important to ensure accountability, said Bond.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
