Food, water, supplies, toys to be provided to affected residents of Graves County
MAYFIELD, Ky. (December 19, 2021) – The City of Mayfield and Graves County are seeking volunteers to help deliver holiday cheer to city and county residents who were impacted by the catastrophic tornado.
Operation Christmas Tuesday, scheduled for Tuesday, December 21, is in need of about 150 volunteers. Groups of volunteers are preferred. To sign up, call the Graves County Emergency Hotline on Monday, December 20, at 270-727-5114 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST. You must have your own transportation.
Those who register on Monday will be asked to arrive at a central meeting point in Mayfield around 9 a.m., CST, on Tuesday, December 21, and be available to assist Operation Christmas until about 4:30 p.m., that day.
The volunteers will assist with distributing a 4-day supply of food and water, gift cards, and basic supplies to families, plus deliver toys to every child in the Mayfield tornado corridor.
Graves County Judge-Executive Jesse Perry said it is an effort to get everyone in the Christmas spirit during a tough time.
“The tornado destroyed a lot, but it didn’t cancel Christmas. We think this will lift up our community with the love of Christmas, particularly the children who have lost so much,” Perry said.
Mayfield Mayor Kathy Stewart O’Nan said Operation Christmas Tuesday should provide families with the things they need to get through the holiday.
“It’s a big task, but I’m confident our community can make it happen,” Mayor O’Nan said. “Our families need this push to get through Christmas.”
Gift cards that can be used for furniture, supplies, food, or clothing are the most needed item. Gift card donations can be mailed or shipped to the Graves County Health Department, 416 Central Ave, Mayfield, KY 42066.
Monetary donations can be made by check to the Mayfield Graves County Tornado Relief Fund by mailing a check C/O Independence Bank, P.O. Box 9, Fancy Farm, KY 42039, or online at https://gofund.me/3dabe793. Monetary donations can also be dropped off at any Independence Bank location.
If you have questions about donations, please call the Graves County donation hotline at 270-883-0072.
The Operation Christmas Tuesday Event will also serve to provide families with sufficient food to get through the Christmas holiday, giving workers who have been providing supplies to tornado victims a chance to take a short break to spend some time with their own families.
All information about ongoing efforts coordinated by the EOC will be posted on the Graves County Emergency Management Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Graves-County-Office-of-Emergency-Management-203302559749060.
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The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky State Police are assisting the Regional EOC by providing communication services.
Editor’s Note: A logo for Operation Christmas Tuesday may be downloaded here.